Primer on FedEx's Distribution Network (2024)
*Updated July 1, 2025 FedEx was founded in 1971 as an express delivery service. An early motto captures its basic promise: “When it absolutely, positively has to be there overnight.” The Federal Aviation Act of 1977, which was intensely advocated for by FedEx founding president Fred Smith, allowed FedEx to bring larger aircraft into its fleet. Larger aircraft in turn allowed FedEx to concentrate most of its sorting operations in one hub, Memphis, where the company built its superhub in 1979. T