The Legacy of Fred Smith: How One Man Changed Global Shipping Forever

Fred Smith, the visionary founder of FedEx, has passed away at the age of 80, as announced by the company. His journey began in 1973, when he established Federal Express after his service in the US Marine Corps. Under his leadership, the company grew from just 389 staff and 14 small planes, delivering 186 packages across 25 cities in the US, to a global powerhouse with over 500,000 employees that now delivers millions of packages daily. Remarkably, FedEx’s fleet now includes 705 aircraft and 200,000 vehicles.

In a heartfelt memo, current CEO Raj Subramaniam reflected on Smith’s immense influence, describing him as the “heart and soul” of FedEx. Smith was not only an innovative businessman but also a mentor, father, grandfather, and a brave Marine, honored for his service in Vietnam. His strategic brilliance led to the development of the hub and spoke delivery system, a model that revolutionized package delivery by utilizing a central hub for efficient coordination.

Despite his monumental contributions, Smith remained a somewhat private figure, occasionally stepping into the public eye. One notable appearance was a cameo in the Tom Hanks movie, Castaway, where his company was featured prominently.

Fred Smith’s passing marks the end of an era, yet his legacy continues to shape the logistics industry and inspire future generations.