FedEx opens freight forwarding gateway in Chicago
FedEx has opened a new gateway office in Chicago, as it continues to “aggressively” expand its international ocean and air freight forwarding business. The company’s FedEx Trade Networks subsidiary held a grand opening for the 104,000 square foot facility in Elk Grove Village on Monday.
Close to Chicago O’Hare International airport and intermodal rail links, the new location will mean expanded offerings to customers, including freight forwarding, customs brokerage and distribution services, the company said.
Some 85,000 square feet of the facility is dedicated to distribution, which along with proximity to the airport and rail yards, will see the site acting as a gateway for consolidated, heavy weight and international cargo shipments into and out of America’s third largest city.
Fred Schardt, president and chief executive at FedEx Trade Networks, said: “Chicago is a major global commercial market, home to one of the busiest airports in the U.S., and America’s rail gateway for ocean cargo.
“By expanding our Chicago operations to offer additional distribution space and services, we can provide our customers with streamlined gateway solutions that can improve efficiency, transit times and overall costs.”
FedEx Trade Networks is in the process of an “aggressive” global expansion, with 33 new freight forwarding offices opened across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America since 2008.
The company already has 70 locations in the US and Canada, and aims to continue growth of its business in North America.
Schardt said: “Enhancing our North American infrastructure is a key component of our global expansion. As we continue to grow our global footprint, and open offices around the world, we are reinforcing our North American offices to support our growth as a company.”
