FedEx Trade Networks expands infrastructure in Latin America

With what it describes as “an organic expansion,” FedEx Trade Networks, has announced it will ramp up its operations in Brazil and other parts of Latin America.

The freight forwarding arm of global shipping FedEx Corp. has enlarged its presence and service capabilities in the region through a series of strategic operational developments, noted Fred Schardt, president and CEO of FedEx Trade Networks.

“Trade volumes continue to increase in Latin America, and our expansion efforts provide customers with greater access to superior freight forwarding in these emerging markets,” he said.

Over the last several months, the company has opened new offices, established alliances with regional service providers and launched new freight forwarding service options.

A number of supply chain summits, forums, and conferences have focused on Brazil this year—and for good reason. The country is chief among rapid-growth markets (RGMs), not only in this hemisphere, but around the world. According to Alexis Karklins-Marchay, co-leader of the Emerging Markets Center at Ernst & Young, while slower expansion in Brazil and other RGMs slowed briefly at the end of last year, he expects a return to “significant growth.”

Meanwhile, Organic growth in the region has been a key part of FedEx Trade Network’s aggressive global expansion. It has also established strategic alliances with locally-based regional service providers to enhance its coverage and extend its capabilities to reach 19 countries throughout Latin America.

In another move to meet the needs of shippers in Latin America, FedEx Trade Networks now provides an air consolidation service between Mexico and Brazil.  The new service combines customers’ shipments to help streamline their supply chain between the Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX) and São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU). 

With this service, FedEx Trade Networks experts consolidate, coordinate, transport, track and facilitate inspections for businesses that want to make shipping between these two major airports faster and more cost-effective, said spokesmen.