FedEx invests to support Manchester economic growth
FedEx Express outlined its growth strategy for the Manchester region which involves the first direct flight from Manchester to the U.S., the creation of 40 new jobs, a new station and domestic express services through its recently purchased operating company, ANC Express.
“For Manchester — the U.K.’s fastest growing city — to sustain its economic growth, it’s essential that it continues to establish strong links to the U.S. economy and the rest of the world. FedEx is working to make that vision possible by investing in a new direct flight between Manchester and the U.S., which arrives in time to connect onwards to flights to Latin America and Canada. We are also expanding our station in Manchesterand almost doubling our workforce here,” said Robert W. Elliott, president, FedEx Express, Europe, Middle-East, Indian-subcontinent and Africa.
Officially launching the new FedEx MD-11 wide-body express freighter which flies daily, Monday-Thursday, from Manchester direct to Memphis, Elliott also provided details of a range of FedEx investments aimed at further enhancing the region’s trading opportunities.
“Our significant investment in Manchester means faster and more flexible services for local businesses. They’ll now enjoy much later pick-up times for their U.S. packages, comparable to those currently available across London. With Manchester as the hub for the North West region, the flight will also extend next-day U.S. delivery services to major cities like Leeds, Liverpool, Sheffield and Middlesborough for the first time,” Elliott said.
Additionally, U.K. domestic express transportation company, ANC Express, acquired by FedEx in December last year, is also helping FedEx customers access the new flight. ANC’s depots, spread throughout the region, will play an important role in picking up and delivering FedEx customers’ packages to Manchester Airport.
FedEx investments also include relocating to a new station in Trafford Park. At 27,000 sq ft., the new purpose-built facility is nearly twice the size of the old facility and is required to meet increased volumes and to support the new flight.
The new station, plus the new flight, means FedEx has almost doubled its workforce in Manchester to 84 while adding 13 new vans and 17 new courier routes to service businesses in and around Greater Manchester.
