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Memphis, Tenn., – FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) today released its annual economic impact report, analyzing the company’s worldwide network and role in building prosperity in local communities during its 2024 fiscal year (FY 2024). Produced in consultation with Dun & Bradstreet (NYSE: DNB), a leading provider of business decisioning data and analytics, the study underscores the ‘FedEx Effect’—the impact FedEx has on accelerating the flow of goods and ideas that generate economic growth across countries and regions.

“At FedEx, we have a vision to make supply chains smarter for everyone by leveraging advanced data and technology to better serve our customers and their customers, thereby extending our reach and impact,” said Raj Subramaniam, president and CEO, FedEx Corporation. “The ‘FedEx Effect’ represents our relentless commitment to excellence, economic growth, and the communities where we live and work.”

The report reveals that FedEx contributed more than $85 billion in direct impact to the global economy in FY 2024, accounting for approximately 0.1% of the world’s total net economic output. This activity reflects the scale of the FedEx network and the company’s ongoing efforts to enhance its innovative services that help businesses of all sizes connect with customers and strengthen their operations. The company has the most extensive transportation network in the world, providing service to more than 220 countries and territories. Additionally, FedEx employs more than 500,000 people across more than 5,000 facilities and moves an average of 16 million packages per day.

FedEx’s contributions to global net economic output—including its revenues, wages, and capital expenditures—create additional economic activity across its business network. This indirect impact activity helps drive production increases across industries due to the company’s relationships within and across sectors of the global economy. In FY 2024, FedEx indirectly contributed an estimated $39 billion to global net economic output, including making its largest indirect contribution to the global Transportation, Storage, and Warehousing sector.

Key highlights of the FedEx Economic Impact Report include:

• Trade: FedEx’s continued support of trade policies that facilitate greater market access advances the company’s purpose of connecting people and possibilities across the globe. According to a recent Morning Consult survey commissioned by FedEx, nearly all U.S. business decision-makers surveyed agree that global trade stimulates economic growth, creates jobs and opportunities, and fosters innovation.

• Operational enhancements: FedEx continued to improve its network in FY 2024, notably through the ongoing optimization of its surface network into a single transportation system. Other ongoing investments were completed, including a hub facility at Dubai World Central Airport and a secondary sort facility at Memphis International Airport. The company also added advanced sorting equipment to existing facilities throughout its network, as well as additional warehouse capacity.

• Sustainability: The company continues to invest in renewable energy to power its facilities, electrification of its pickup and delivery fleet, and carbon sequestration research to advance natural carbon capture solutions for adoption across the transportation industry. In FY 2024, FedEx added electric vehicles (EVs), including EVs and zero-tailpipe emission motorcycles in Brazil and dozens of EVs across new markets like Canada, Chile, Spain, the UK, the Netherlands, and the UAE.

• Small businesses: FedEx helps small- and medium-sized businesses (SAMs) accelerate their growth and extend their global reach, supporting local job creation and economic activity. In addition to its SAM-specific portfolio solutions, the company connects customers with subject matter experts from FedEx and companies from other industries for solution-focused discussions that can bring value to their businesses through a third-party platform called the ‘SME Connect’ series.

• Supply chain: In calendar year 2023, 90% of the suppliers FedEx contracted with were small businesses. The company’s spending with suppliers during this period supported approximately 400,000 jobs at small businesses around the world.

• Giving: FedEx supports the local communities it serves through FedEx Cares, which promotes charitable giving, employee volunteer efforts, and in-kind shipping services around the world. In FY 2024, the company’s contributed more than $55 million through its direct partnerships with NGOs and nonprofits.

United States impact
FedEx serves every U.S. ZIP code, connecting communities to the worldwide marketplace. With approximately 370,000 U.S. employees in FY 2024, FedEx is one of the largest employers in the country and is proud to support a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace full of opportunity where 57% of U.S. employees identify as minorities.

The study found that in FY 2024, FedEx directly contributed an estimated 6.7% of net economic output to the U.S. Transportation and Warehousing sector and indirectly contributed $8.1 billion to net output across the U.S. economy.

The company’s operations are uniquely positioned to help customers adapt to changing economic conditions and trade patterns. FedEx operates two major air hubs in Memphis and Indianapolis to provide capacity for domestic and international air shipments and has dedicated international air gateways in Alaska and Miami to facilitate global trade. FedEx packages are delivered by FedEx-employed couriers as well as employees of nearly 6,000 independent service providers that provide transportation, pickup, and delivery services on the company’s behalf. The average annual revenue for these businesses is $2.1 million.

Read the full FY 2024 FedEx Global Economic Impact Report and explore the ‘FedEx Effect’ in communities and regions around the world at fedex.com/economicimpact.

HAVRE DE GRACE, Md. – Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner today joined U.S. Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg, Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Amit Bose, Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld, MTA Administrator Holly Arnold and other state and local officials to mark the start of Amtrak’s Susquehanna River Rail Bridge Project in Northeast Maryland.

The Susquehanna River Rail Bridge is a vital piece of infrastructure that serves approximately 110 daily Amtrak, MARC commuter rail and freight trains. This $2.7 billion project, supported by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will ensure continued connectivity along the Northeast Corridor (NEC) – America’s busiest passenger rail corridor – while enabling plans to expand intercity passenger rail service in the region and across the nation.

“Amtrak is excited to kick off early work on this important bridge upgrade, one of several major Amtrak infrastructure megaprojects now underway or set to begin by the end of 2024,” said Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner. “Thanks to funding from the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, continued support from the Biden-Harris Administration and Congress, and strong coordination with our partners, Amtrak is advancing a new era of passenger rail with state-of-the-art bridges, tunnels and trains on the way.”

“The Susquehanna River Bridge project is another example of how the Biden-Harris Administration is making historic investments in passenger rail and delivering safer, faster more reliable service along the Northeast Corridor,” said U.S. Deputy Transportation Secretary Polly Trottenberg. “With funding made possible by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’, our Department is supporting this project with more than $2 billion in grant funding and ensuring the Susquehanna River Bridge can continue linking communities in Maryland and across eight states for generations to come.”

“Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, projects of national significance continue to move forward along America’s busiest rail corridor, with early construction to replace the 118-year-old Susquehanna River Bridge being the latest example,” said FRA Administrator Amit Bose. “FRA is investing more than $16 billion in Fed State-NEC grants along the Northeast Corridor, including nearly $7 billion for five passenger rail projects in Maryland. These investments will benefit the entire region and our national economy while rebuilding the Northeast Corridor to deliver the modern, safe, and convenient service Americans deserve.”

“Upgrading our state’s and our nation’s aging infrastructure – like the century-old Susquehanna River Bridge – was one of our top priorities in passing the infrastructure modernization law,” said U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen. “This critical investment will ultimately make Marylanders’ commutes shorter and safer while strengthening our supply chains. And because of the $2 billion investment we fought to secure, workers are now getting on the job to build a new bridge that will improve rail service and get cargo where it needs to go on time.”

“Today, we are carrying on the historic tradition of cooperation and ingenuity to move people and goods safely across the Susquehanna River, a concept originally formalized in 1695 with the first license to operate a ferry between Harve de Grace and Perryville; and today culminating in a federal, state and local project to build a two bridge, four train track crossing,” said Maryland State Senator Mary-Dulany James.

“The launch of the Susquehanna River Bridge project brings Maryland and the entire Northeast Corridor closer to modernizing passenger rail infrastructure and improving safety for MARC and Amtrak service,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “The new bridge will allow for faster trains, more reliable service and will make riding intercity passenger rail more convenient for all.”

“We are proud to partner with Amtrak on the Susquehanna Bridge project and thankful to our Federal partners for investing in our transit systems,” said Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold. “The modernization of this bridge will help to increase access to economic opportunities, decongest our roadways and improve our environment by decreasing emissions.”

“This is more great news for America’s rail passengers, thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said Rail Passengers Association President & CEO Jim Mathews. “Once this project is finished, it will double track capacity over that span, eliminate the need for stopping traffic for boats passing underneath, and boost maximum speeds to as much as 160 mph. All across the country we’re slowly but surely starting to see how Amtrak passengers will get better service thanks to these crucial and long-overdue investments in our transportation infrastructure. We were proud to be part of the process that led to these investments, and even more proud now to see them come to life.”

The first pre-construction work includes removal of remnant bridge piers from the Susquehanna River and utility upgrades in the Town of Perryville. In the Susquehanna River, an Amtrak contractor is safely demolishing and removing 10 remnant piers. These leftover piers remain from an 1866 railroad bridge that was located just east of the existing bridge and had its superstructure removed several decades ago.

Although no longer utilized, the remnant piers have long remained an impediment to boaters. The federal environmental review process for this Project identified that removal of the remnant bridge piers would be necessary to build the new and improved bridge, while also improving navigation along this portion of the Susquehanna River. Removal of all 10 remnant piers is scheduled for completion by the end of this year.

In Perryville, Amtrak is working with two local utility companies to complete critical upgrades necessary before construction of the first bridge can begin. Baltimore Gas & Electric will replace the existing 1930s-era transmission tower that exclusively feeds power to an Amtrak substation, and in turn, the electrified NEC. It must be relocated to avoid conflicts with the future west bridge approach.

Additionally, Delmarva is relocating aerial power lines underground to make way for the Project, eliminate future aerial conflicts, and provide a more reliable service to the town and customers. This early work sets the state for the start of bridge construction later next year.

When completed, the Susquehanna River Rail Bridge Project will:

Increase passenger rail capacity with two new two-track bridges (compared to just two tracks today)
Modernize and improve five miles of track, catenary and signals, including three interlockings
Improve reliability and safety
Increase trains speeds with a higher maximum speed of 160 mph, enabling faster trip times
Eliminate conflicts with maritime traffic due to the new, higher fixed-span bridges
This $2.7 billion project is supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, thanks to a $2.08 billion Fed-State grant announced by FRA late last year. The remaining portion will be funded by Amtrak and the State of Maryland.

Amtrak has implemented a comprehensive community engagement program for this project, which began in the early planning phase and will continue throughout construction. As work advances, Amtrak will continue its commitment to being a good neighbor in the community by raising awareness about the project, being present at various local events and programs, and partnering with community groups to make a positive impact.

Akron, Ohio, – The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company today announced the launch of a worry-free, tires-as-a-service offering that combines the company’s premium tires, proven predictive insights and industry-leading service footprint in one, subscription-based solution. Building on the company’s Total Mobility program, Goodyear will manage end-to-end tire service on behalf of its customers.

Available for commercial and last-mile delivery fleets in the U.S. and Europe, Goodyear’s tires-as-a-service offering can help save time and improve total cost of ownership through outsourced tire management from this subscription-based solution. This is designed to increase uptime, reduce vehicle breakdown events, decrease fuel consumption and more.

In recent pilots, the tires-as-a-service solution helped reduce total cost of ownership, contributing to a nearly 80% reduction in emergency vehicle breakdown events and a 100% reduction in customer-owned inventory for a last-mile delivery fleet operating in the U.S. Similarly, Goodyear’s new subscription helped a commercial fleet in Europe experience a nearly 50% reduction in emergency breakdown events and up to 4% reduction in fuel consumption compared to the prior year.

“Goodyear’s tires-as-a-service offering is an evolution of our Total Mobility offering, providing a new solution for customers who require end-to-end tire management. It extends Goodyear products, services and solutions by providing one comprehensive, worry-free subscription,” said Gregory Boucharlat, vice president, Goodyear Tires-as-a-Service. “We have already demonstrated that leveraging this solution can help fleet managers realize untapped value, and we look forward to expanding it to new customers.”

Key features of the pay-per-mileage subscription include:

Premium Goodyear tires equipped with tire intelligence technology to generate proactive insights

Continuous, 24/7 tire monitoring and data collection from every tire

Proactive alert management and service coordination

Halo® Tire Inflator, a self-powered automatic tire inflation system installed on applicable wheel ends (through an exclusive agreement with Aperia Technologies)

Access to Goodyear’s service network to dispatch technicians whenever needed
To learn more or to contact a sales representative, visit www.goodyeartrucktires.com.

About The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Goodyear is one of the world’s largest tire companies. It employs about 71,000 people and manufactures its products in 55 facilities in 22 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio, and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg, strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry. For more information about Goodyear and its products, go to www.goodyear.com/corporate.

Lisle, Ill. (June 20, 2024) – Today Navistar Inc. (“Navistar”) announced the recipients of its 2024 Supplier Excellence Awards.

The annual Performance Awards recognize four top performing suppliers based on their accomplishments in quality, delivery, cost and continuous improvement. The recipients are ranked from platinum to bronze based on the supplier’s performance over the previous 12 months.

In addition, the annual Leadership Awards also recognize suppliers that have shown exceptional partnership within the areas of quality, customer service, indirect procurement, logistics and sustainability.

“As our industry continues to see supply chain constraints, through a strong partnership with our suppliers, Navistar has been able to continue to produce high-quality trucks and buses for our customers,” said Peter Friberg, chief procurement officer. “It’s important that we take the time to acknowledge and recognize these suppliers that are exceeding expectations by going above and beyond. We thank each one of them for their outstanding performance and continued partnership.”

This year’s award recipients:  

Performance Awards: 

Platinum – Superior Trim   
Gold – Donaldson 
Silver – Behr Hella Thermal Controls 
Bronze – CVG Trim 
Leadership Awards: 

Quality – SRG Global   
Customer Service – Quanxing – Thermal Solutions Manufacturing
Indirect Procurement – Tech Mahindra
Logistics – Expeditors International
Sustainability – Southwest Research Institute
To learn more about Navistar’s suppliers and its supplier diversity program, visit www.navistar.com/people/supplier-diversity.

About Navistar
Navistar, Inc. (“Navistar”) is a commercial transportation solutions provider with a vision to accelerate the impact of sustainable mobility. Based in Lisle, Illinois, Navistar and its subsidiaries and affiliates produce International® commercial trucks and powertrains, IC Bus® school and commercial buses, OnCommand® Connection advanced connectivity services, Fleetrite® aftermarket parts, and captive financing through Navistar Financial. With a history of innovation dating back to 1831, Navistar has ~15,300 employees worldwide and is a subsidiary of TRATON SE, the parent and holding company of the TRATON GROUP and one of the world’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers. Learn more at www.Navistar.com.

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MARTINEZ, CALIF. – In partnership with the cities of Martinez, Hayward, Fremont and Oakland, Amtrak has completed accessibility improvements at its Bay Area stations. Customers can now enjoy a more accessible and comfortable experience at the Martinez, Hayward, Fremont, and Oakland-Coliseum Stations following the completion of $20.8 million in upgrades.

“We’re delivering a new era of rail while bringing greater accessibility to stations nationwide,” said Amtrak Vice President of Accessibility Dr. David Handera. “As we prioritize station accessibility throughout Amtrak, we are thrilled that these Bay Area stations can provide a welcoming and comfortable experience for all customers.”

Due largely to Federal investments, the improvements are part of Amtrak’s commitment to creating safer, more accessible facilities across its National Network through its ADA Stations Program. Since 2011, Amtrak has invested more than $870 million in upgrades at 124 stations across the country, providing a better travel experience for customers with disabilities.

Current Bay Area station upgrades include:

Martinez Station: Investments of $8.5 million were made to the Martinez Station which serves the Capitol Corridor, Amtrak San Joaquins, Coast Starlight and California Zephyr. Updates include a resurfaced platform with tactile warning surfaces along the platform edge so passengers with vision disabilities can safely navigate public spaces. The Martinez Station also offers an accessible path from the bus drop off, through the station and onto the platform. Customers can also leverage renovated restrooms, a new ticket counter, and other modifications that better serve the community.
Hayward Station: Investments of $5.6 million were made to the Hayward Station which serves Capitol Corridor trains. The station now offers a new platform with increased space and a crossing to connect the platforms. The station also offers energy efficient LED light fixtures and new station signage that improves accessibility.
Fremont Station: Investments of $4.2 million were made to the Fremont Station which serves Capitol Corridor trains. The new design provides a new platform and additional space on the station-side platform where customers can access the track in both directions. The station also offers energy efficient LED light fixtures and new station signage that improves accessibility.
Oakland-Coliseum Station: Investments of $2.5 million were made to the Oakland-Coliseum Station, which serves Capitol Corridor trains. The design includes a resurfaced platform with tactile warning so passengers with vision disabilities can safely navigate public spaces. Signage, trash receptacles and pedestrian pathways also provide better access to the local community.
“As a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I was proud to be an original cosponsor of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021,” said California Congressman John Garamendi (D). “The Biden Administration and congressional Democrats have made a generational investment to create good-paying union jobs, build more resilient infrastructure that will address the climate crisis, and modernizing our crumbling infrastructure with American materials and workers. I am thrilled that these funds have improved the Martinez Amtrak station for all residents of California’s 8th Congressional District.”

“I applaud Amtrak for leading the way in ensuring our public transit is inclusive for everyone,” said U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler (CA – D). “Federal investments like this demonstrate that rail travel is safe and accessible for Californians.”

“We applaud Amtrak’s ADA Project initiative to improve accessibility along the Capitol Corridor route,” said Capitol Corridor Managing Director Robert Padgette. “These efforts make it easier for passengers to navigate stations and platforms prior to boarding our trains and allows for a more inclusive travel experience.”

Accessibility upgrades and improvement projects across the National Network aim to provide a safe, efficient, and comfortable travel experience for customers with disabilities. The improvements include repairs and upgrades to platforms, ramps and sidewalks, and renovations to entranceways and restrooms, with 20 stations brought into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act last year. Another 35 stations are targeted for completion this fiscal year as Amtrak works toward 100% completion by 2029.

Alstom, global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, is celebrating after winning two major awards at the seventh Women in Rail Awards.

Alstom were presented with both the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team Award, and the Social Value Award at the event, which celebrates companies that have made a significant contribution to improving gender balance, diversity and inclusion within the UK rail industry.

“The recognition from Women in Rail is a testament to the hard work and dedication of teams across our three businesses in the UK and Ireland – rolling stock, train services, and digital and integrated systems.”

Charlotte Briers
The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team Award credited Alstom with the tangible and positive effects its efforts have had among its workforce – and beyond.

The judges said: “Alstom’s leadership recognised its culture wasn’t creating the desired diverse and representative-balanced workforce. They listened, learned from, nurtured, and empowered Alstom’s ‘quiet voices’ to create and embed an inclusive and flexible culture; creating four employee networks with voices of Women, Disability, Cultural Diversity and Pride+.”

During the last year, Alstom has implemented widespread equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) training that was attended by over 2,100 employees across the UK and Ireland; taken its ‘Be the U in inclUsive’ roadshow to the majority of the company’s 37 sites across the two countries; and has demonstrated improvements in increasing the number of female employees.

Social Value Award
Earlier in the evening, Alstom was also handed the Social Value Award. The judges said: “Alstom has created and embedded an agile, inclusive and responsible culture committed to delivering social and environmental value for communities, employees, and customers. Alongside its Community Project Fund, it focuses on tackling social inequality, driving equal opportunity, improving health and wellbeing, and fighting climate change.”

Last month, Alstom announced ten charities and community-led projects in the UK and Ireland which are now benefitting from its 2023 Community Project Fund (CPF). Alstom employees are also being encouraged to use their annual volunteering day to offer additional support to the beneficiaries.

Elsewhere, Alstom’s science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) ambassadors and school outreach programme have helped 9,000 students in deprived areas in the last year alone.

Alstom was also Highly Commended by Women in Rail for its ‘Springboard’ initiative as part of the Best Training or Development Programme Award. Springboard is a bespoke development programme that encourages and supports women to compete for senior-level positions across Alstom UK and Ireland.

“The recognition from Women in Rail is a testament to the hard work and dedication of teams across our three businesses in the UK and Ireland – rolling stock, train services, and digital and integrated systems. For example, our bespoke development programme, Springboard, has been completed by more than 40% of women at Alstom, with recruitment and retention rates increasing across the board,” said Charlotte Briers, Rolling Stock Performance Lead, and Voices of Women Chair at Alstom.

The Women in Rail Awards 2024 was attended by over 780 individuals from across the British rail industry, coming together to celebrate colleagues, teams and companies, who work hard to support others and to help create a more gender-balanced, diverse and inclusive work culture in the industry.

Inclusive
As the country’s foremost supplier of new trains and train services, and a leading signalling and infrastructure provider, Alstom is committed to being a fully inclusive organisation.

In 2017, Alstom launched its biannual EDI census to identify improvement areas in the UK and Ireland. From the findings, the company developed and delivered the Alstom8 workshops to raise awareness and give practical advice on how to successfully drive inclusivity in the workplace. Alongside this, its four ‘Voices of’ groups – Women, Pride+, Cultural Diversity and Disability – help to share lived experiences; challenge groupthink in its strategy and policies; have oversight of relevant key performance indicators (KPIs); and act as ambassadors.

Meanwhile, Women in Rail was founded in 2012 to improve diversity in the UK rail industry through providing networking opportunities and support for all women within the sector, encourage undertakings and stakeholders to adopt diversity as a business strategy and devising initiatives aimed at positioning rail as an attractive career choice for young people.

“I am proud to be carrying on the journey started by visionary, Adeline Ginn MBE, who established the Women in Rail charity over a decade ago to improve sector diversity by supporting women across the industry,” said Marie Daly, Chair of Women in Rail, and Chief Customer and Culture Officer at Transport for Wales.

The Women in Rail Awards 2024 took place on Thursday 16 May at the Roundhouse, a Grade II* listed former railway engine shed in Chalk Farm, London. The event was hosted by Reverend Canon Kate Bottley, vicar, journalist, media presenter and reality television star.

Alstom submitted 16 entries to the Women in Rail Awards 2024 and were shortlisted in eight categories.

ATLANTA, – Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) Tuesday highlighted additional support from key customers and industry associations – including Hub Group, Inc., American Short Line & Regional Railroad Association, CONSOL Energy Inc., and others. Their strong backing underscores the company’s balanced strategy, driven by the decisive leadership of CEO Alan Shaw and guided by the Norfolk Southern board, is the best path to drive long-term value for shareholders and deliver reliable, resilient service.1rnrn”Hub Group continues to value its long-term partnership with Norfolk Southern that allows us collectively to deliver a cost-effective, environmentally sensitive intermodal service offering to shippers throughout the eastern United States. The commitment that you and your management team have made to maintaining consistently strong service levels is critical to our mutual success in converting over-the-road shipments to rail which is leading to significant growth. We appreciate that a sustained dedication to maintaining strong service levels is a key element of your strategic plan…We support you and your management team in the ongoing execution of your strategy.”rnrn- Phillip Yeager, President, CEO, and Vice ChairmanrnHub Group, Inc.rnrn”As a group we are focused on fostering long-term volume and revenue growth for the rail industry. To that end, we support strategies from our Class I partners, including the current Norfolk Southern strategy, dedicated to these same goals. We believe growth is most effectively achieved through a commitment to providing operating resilience and consistent customer service, and to do so over a full business cycle.”rnrn- Chuck Baker, President & CEOrnAmerican Short Line & Regional Railroad Associationrnrn”Arrowhead (now part of Waste Connections) has been [a] customer since 2019. During that time our annual freight volumes have increased thirty-fold, and we are looking to doubling that in the next twelve months. [The Norfolk Southern] team – from the CEO down to the local operating folks – have been extremely helpful and supportive these past five years. A large part of our success has come from their team and our partnership. Although we would never presume to tell your shareholders how to vote, and we will always remain a good NS customer, they should be aware that we would be concerned if the existing operating and marketing support changed.”rnrn- Bill Gay, Division Vice PresidentrnArrowhead Environmental Partners/Waste Connectionsrnrn”As one of the key logistics partners, I want to express my confidence and support for Norfolk Southern’s current management team headed by Alan Shaw. CONSOL has been a beneficiary of some of the operational and safety improvements made by Alan. This has allowed us to grow our export business and benefitted thousands of direct and indirect workers in Southwest PA, WV, and MD.”rnrn- Jimmy Brock, Chairman and CEOrnCONSOL Energy Inc.rnrn”HC Minerals (formerly Hi-Crush) unequivocally supports Alan Shaw and the rest of the NS management team, as well as the NS strategy.”rnrn- Will Barker, General Counsel and Chief Commercial OfficerrnHC Mineralsrnrn”Norfolk Southern has made significant service improvements following the implementation of their new operating strategy. Consistent and rateable manifest service is critical to the success of our processing business. It allows us to meet our customers’ needs and supports our growth initiatives. We support NS’s strategic vision for service improvements while maintaining a customer centric approach.”rnrn- Gordon Russell, Head of Grains & Oilseeds – USrnLouis Dreyfus Companyrnrn”The ‘new’ focus on smart expansion opportunities was truly refreshing and had been lost since 2008-2010. Since Covid – all departments have been focused on ‘the customer’ which is critical to success in any business. While I have never personally dealt with Mr. Shaw, I know that I can see and feel a very positive change that has been evident to me over the last few years. I truly did not think that a CEO or COO could impact the overall organization the size of NS – but the last 3 or so years something has changed. From what my NS contacts tell me, it comes down from the top. So based on this feedback, Mr. Shaw must be having this positive effect on the performance and attitude of the organization. – I have been a witness to it.”rnrn- Von Friesen, PrincipalrnStrategic Transload Services, LLCrnrn”One Earth Energy, LLC has been a customer of Norfolk Southern railroad for 15 years, prior to that, I was General Manager from 1990 to 2007 with Alliance Grain Co…Norfolk Southern’s enhanced service has enabled us at One Earth Energy to expand our rail business and invest in additional track space to accommodate our growth in production capacity along with rail shipments. I have full confidence in Alan Shaw and the entire management team of Norfolk Southern. Our Board of Directors believes Alan and his team have our best interest in mind and their approach will yield positive outcomes for both Norfolk Southern and customers like One Earth Energy. On behalf of my Board and myself we look forward to continuing [this] mutually beneficial relationship into the future.”rnrn- Steven Kelly, President & CEOrnOne Earth Energy, LLCrnrnNorfolk Southern Corporation shared statements from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Surface Transportation Board (STB) expressing support for Norfolk Southern’s leadership and strategy in driving improvements across safety, performance, and service.[1]rnrnIn a May 3rd letter from the DOT to President and Chief Executive Officer Alan Shaw, Allison Dane Camden, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy, stated: “Norfolk Southern’s progress toward meeting key safety performance indicators is encouraging and demonstrates your leadership and the commitment of all of NS’s hard-working employees. We recognize the progress NS has made to-date towards attaining your own safety goals, as well as the goals we set for all Class I railroads…”rnrnThe DOT letter additionally acknowledged Norfolk Southern’s progress to enhance reliable service for its customers: “DOT is encouraged by Norfolk Southern’s efforts to improve the timeliness and fluidity of its network, particularly for time-sensitive goods. Your efforts align with the goals of the National Multimodal Freight Policy, including improving the reliability of freight transportation and reducing the adverse environmental impacts of freight movement.”rnrnSimilarly, Martin Oberman, STB Chairman, decried Ancora’s “viciously” waged attack on Norfolk Southern in a speech at the North American Rail Shippers 2024 Annual Meeting on May 1st. In his remarks, Oberman stated: “it is my responsibility to call out serious threats to the national rail network, and everything about Ancora’s campaign should cause serious concerns to all rail stakeholders.”rnrnFurther highlights of Oberman’s speech include:rn”I have read almost everything Ancora has said about its plans for NS. I find almost nothing in their plans about how they will obtain better service or actually grow their number of carloads.”rn”The STB’s oversight…has been to require the railroads to report on their progress in rebuilding their workforces and their service recovery plans. And no one has made more progress in building a resilient railroad than NS, so that it will be able to handle the growth in traffic as the economy returns, which is inevitable in the foreseeable future…”rnrn”To me, the best predictor of what a person will do in the future is what he has done in the past. So I think the fear of an Ancora takeover of the entire or even a majority of the NS board and the installation of Mr. Boychuk to take NS down to its studs is real. At a minimum, based on actual history with Mr. Boychuk’s approach, we at the STB and the industry at large would be foolish to assume there’s nothing to worry about.”rn”[Ancora’s plan] would leave the railroad with just over 13,000 employees, a level below its worst service performance in recent years. A level which would likely be catastrophic for our economy and all the stakeholders—including other railroads—who depend on NS.”rnrnThe clear support from regulators – in addition to an outpouring of support from our customers, unions and other key stakeholders – underscores the fact that Norfolk Southern has dramatically improved network performance, safety, and service. Ancora blatantly ignores these clear gains and wants to install a slate of directors with little to no safety experience, a CEO with no credibility with rail regulators, and a COO with a reputation for extreme cost-cutting measures and safety deterioration. This would unnecessarily risk unwinding the improvements Norfolk Southern has made and sparking further regulatory backlash to the detriment of shareholder value.rnrnNorfolk Southern Corporation shared recent support from multiple key customers, including Lincoln Energy Solutions and Centennial Energy, which underscore that the company’s balanced strategy under the decisive leadership of CEO Alan Shaw is taking hold and delivering a safer, more efficient railroad:1rnrnLincoln Energy Solutions CEO Larry Burgamy, Jr. stated: “As a growing partner, investor and shipper, Lincoln emphatically supports without question Alan Shaw, the Norfolk Southern management team and its strategies. Recent activist statements are disturbing and hold no merit to a disruptive suggestion of management change.”rnrnCentennial Energy President, Elise Maskell, stated: “Centennial Energy wants to reiterate our full support of Alan Shaw and the entire management team at Norfolk Southern. Your balanced strategy is what not only Centennial needs, but what all rail customers, shareholders and the US economy needs…Norfolk Southern needs to stay the course and have time to execute on your long-term vision to produce balanced results which will drive the company and their customers forward.”rnrnAssociated Asphalt Partners Director of Sales and Logistics, Daniel Moran, stated: “We at Associated Asphalt are in support of [Alan], your current management at Norfolk Southern and your strategy.”rnrnSmart Sand CEO and founder, Charles Young, stated: “Smart Sand is 100% behind the NS management team…we feel the NS management team has been excellent in building a sustainable large volume sand business to the Northeast and are looking forward to growing together in the future.”rnThese reactions from multiple key customers underscore a recent rail shipper survey conducted by Wall Street research firm Stephens Inc., which found customers overwhelmingly support Norfolk Southern’s strategy and are concerned about the negative effects of Ancora’s plan. Customer quotes from the survey include:2rnrn”We have seen solid improvement with NS service over the past two years, for both carload and intermodal. After reviewing the plan by the activist, I am convinced it is a short-term attempt to squeeze cash out of the NS network.”rnrn”NS has been doing a really nice job of balancing cost and service. If the activist moves forward, it will be bad for everyone except for a few profiteers.”rnrn”Short term cost cutting by the activists will result in a lower level of service.”rnThe strong support from customers reinforces that Norfolk Southern has the right team, the right strategy, and the right approach to safety and service, all of which is overseen by the right board of directors. Norfolk Southern’s board has been an agent of change and has guided transformational initiatives that are improving safety and operational performance. With positive momentum, Norfolk Southern is executing at full force to drive productivity across its network, close the margin gap with its peers, and deliver sustainable value to shareholders.rnrnIn contrast, Ancora’s demands for a wholesale overhaul of management and the board would impede this momentum, unnecessarily put Norfolk Southern and its stakeholders at risk, and ultimately destroy long-term value.rnrnAbout Norfolk SouthernrnSince 1827, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) and its predecessor companies have safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a customer-centric and operations-driven freight transportation network. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid approximately 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. Its dedicated team members deliver more than 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods, and Norfolk Southern originates more automotive traffic than any other Class I Railroad. Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S. It serves a majority of the country’s population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as major ports in the Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes. Learn more by visiting www.NorfolkSouthern.com

MIAMI– Ryder System, Inc. (NYSE: R), a leader in supply chain, dedicated transportation, and fleet management solutions, releases a quantitative analysis of the potential economic impacts of converting commercial diesel vehicles to electric vehicles (EV) in today’s market. With evolving state and federal legal requirements aimed at transitioning fleets to zero-emission vehicles, Ryder customers frequently ask about the costs, benefits, and complexities of converting to electric – as EV technology and charging infrastructure are still developing. As a result, Ryder published “Charged Logistics: The Cost of Electric Vehicle Conversion for U.S. Commercial Fleets.”

Ryder releases a quantitative analysis of the potential economic impacts of converting commercial diesel vehicles to electric vehicles (EV) in today’s market. (Photo: Business Wire)
Ryder releases a quantitative analysis of the potential economic impacts of converting commercial diesel vehicles to electric vehicles (EV) in today’s market. (Photo: Business Wire)

Based on representative network loads and routes from Ryder’s dedicated fleet operations in today’s market and other factors, the data shows the annual total cost to transport (TCT) by EV versus diesel is estimated to increase across the board – ranging from up to 5% for a light-duty transit van to as much as 114% for a heavy-duty tractor (depending on the geographic area). And, for a mixed fleet of 25 light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, the analysis shows an increased TCT of up to 67% for an all-electric fleet.

“While Ryder is actively deploying EVs and charging infrastructure where it makes sense for customers today, we are not seeing significant adoption of this technology,” says Robert Sanchez, chairman and CEO of Ryder. “For many of our customers, the business case for converting to EV technology just isn’t there yet, given the limitations of the technology and lack of sufficient charging infrastructure. With regulations continuing to evolve, we wanted to better understand the potential impacts to businesses and consumers if companies were required to transition to EV in today’s market.”

Methodology
Ryder examined the TCT for diesel engines versus electric technology in the light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicle classes. The analysis is based on representative network loads and routes from Ryder’s dedicated fleet operations, which includes more than 13,000 commercial vehicles and professional drivers. It factors in the cost of the vehicle, maintenance, drivers, range, payload, and diesel fuel versus electricity, while also accounting for EV charging time and equivalent delivery times. The analysis also assumes the accessibility and use of the fastest applicable commercial vehicle chargers – though this network infrastructure is not yet built out.

First, Ryder conducted one-to-one comparisons for diesel and EV transit vans, straight trucks, and heavy-duty tractors, using cost assumptions from California, which typically has the highest fuel, electricity, and labor costs in the country, and in Georgia, where costs are generally lower.

Second, as most companies have more than one vehicle, Ryder applied the individual costs to a fleet of 25 vehicles of mixed classes and types, and compared the cost of owning and operating that fleet in California and Georgia. The fleet mix is based on the overall mix of commercial vehicles in the U.S., according to third-party data (Polk Data Services), and includes 11 light-duty vans, four medium-duty straight trucks, and 10 heavy-duty tractors.

TCT Impact in California: One-to-One Comparison
For California, one-to-one comparisons of various classes and types of commercial diesel vehicles versus their EV counterparts show the annual TCT for EVs increases across the board.

A light-duty EV transit van (Class 4) shows an estimated annual increase in TCT of approximately 3% or nearly $5,000. While vehicle cost increases 71% and labor increases 19%, partially due to more time required for EV charging, fuel versus energy costs decrease 71% and maintenance cost decreases 22%.
For a medium-duty EV straight truck (Class 6), the annual TCT increases to approximately 22% or nearly $48,000. The vehicle cost increases 216%, which is only partially offset by a 57% savings in fuel versus energy and 22% savings on maintenance.
And, for a heavy-duty EV tractor (Class 8), the annual TCT increases by approximately 94% or approximately $315,000. The equipment cost is the largest contributor, representing an increase of approximately 500%, followed by general and administrative costs that increase approximately 87%, and labor and other personnel costs that increase 76% and 74%, respectively. Fuel versus energy savings are approximately 52%. This assumes delivery times equivalent to a diesel vehicle and factors payload and range limitations as well as EV charging time – all of which requires nearly two heavy-duty EV tractors (1.87) and more than two drivers (2.07) to equal the output of one heavy-duty diesel tractor (which requires 1.2 drivers on average).
TCT Impact in Georgia: One-to-One Comparison

In Georgia, Ryder conducted the same one-to-one comparisons. However, the variance in TCT for a diesel vehicle versus an EV is greater. Operating EVs in Georgia results in a higher cost disadvantage than in California, because Georgia’s lower fuel and energy costs do not provide the same level of savings when transitioning from fuel to electricity.

A light-duty EV transit van (Class 4) shows an annual TCT increase of approximately 5% or nearly $8,000. While the vehicle and labor cost increases remain approximately the same, at 71% and 20%, respectively, fuel versus energy costs decrease 91% and maintenance decreases 22%.
For a medium-duty EV straight truck (Class 6), the annual TCT increases to just under 28% or more than $53,000. The vehicle cost increases 216%, which is only partially offset by a 60% savings in fuel versus energy costs and 22% savings on maintenance.
And, for a heavy-duty EV tractor (Class 8), the annual TCT increases by nearly 114% or more than $330,000. Vehicle cost remains the largest contributor, representing an increase of approximately 500%, followed by other operating costs that increase 87%, and labor and other personnel costs that increase 79% and 76%, respectively. Fuel versus energy savings are approximately 48%. Again, this assumes delivery times equivalent to a diesel vehicle and factors payload and range limitations as well as EV charging time – all of which requires nearly two heavy-duty EV tractors (1.87) and more than two drivers (2.07) to equal the output of one heavy-duty diesel tractor (which requires 1.2 drivers on average).
TCT Impact in California and Georgia: Mixed Fleet

Ryder then applied the TCT for individual vehicles to a mixed fleet of 25 light-, medium-, and heavy-duty commercial vehicles operating in California versus Georgia, including the assumption that a company would need nearly two heavy-duty EV tractors and more than two drivers to haul the same load on the same route as one heavy-duty diesel tractor.

In this scenario, a company converting 10 heavy-duty diesel tractors would need nearly 19 EVs and 21 drivers in order to provide the same level of service. This increases the total number of vehicles in the fleet from 25 to nearly 34 and drivers from 27 to nearly 36. Therefore:

To convert a mixed fleet of vehicles in California to EV, the TCT would increase nearly 56% or more than $3.4 million.
To convert the same fleet in Georgia, the TCT would increase approximately 67% or just more than $3.6 million.
Inflationary Impact

Ryder’s analysis also considers the potential inflationary impact if companies were required to convert to electric vehicles today. Based on the TCT for a mixed EV fleet, and assuming companies pass the increased TCT on to consumers, Ryder estimates those increases could cumulatively add 0.5% to 1% to overall inflation.

Key Takeaways
“There are specific applications where EV adoption makes sense today, but the use cases are still limited. Yet we’re facing regulations aimed at accelerating broader EV adoption when the technology and infrastructure are still developing,” says Karen Jones, EVP and head of new product development for Ryder. “Until the gap in TCT for heavier duty vehicles is narrowed or closed, we cannot expect many companies to make the transition; and, if required to convert in today’s market, we face more supply chain disruptions, transportation cost increases, and additional inflationary pressure.”

“While mass adoption of EVs is not being required at this time, the purpose of this analysis was to quantify the gap in the total cost to transport goods with diesel versus electric vehicles and to understand what it will take to make commercial EVs economically viable at scale,” adds Sanchez. “Today, it would require significant advancements in EV technology to improve range and payload, and according to at least one industry estimate, nearly $1 trillion in charging infrastructure and power grid upgrades. While EV technology is still evolving, we are evaluating multiple ways to reduce emissions, including electric, natural gas, hydrogen, hybrids, and carbon capture, as well as continuing to advance diesel emissions technology. When a new technology is ready for the market, it has been our experience that businesses will see the benefits and broader adoption will follow.”

For a complete copy of the analysis and further insights from Ryder on the road to electrification, download a copy of “Charged Logistics: The Cost of Electric Vehicle Conversion for U.S. Commercial Fleets” here or go to ryder.com/evtct.

About Ryder’s EV Solutions
As one of the largest and longest-running fleet owners in North America, with more than 90 years of experience in transportation, Ryder manages a fleet of nearly 250,000 commercial vehicles. The company has introduced EVs into its lease and rental fleets and continues to work with multiple vehicle manufacturers to provide new electric solutions to customers. Ryder also recently launched RyderElectric+, which provides electrification advisors, vehicles, charging, telematics, and maintenance to help facilitate the seamless adoption of EVs.

About Ryder System, Inc.
Ryder System, Inc. (NYSE: R) is a fully integrated port-to-door logistics and transportation company. It provides supply chain, dedicated transportation, and fleet management solutions, including warehousing and distribution, contract manufacturing and packaging, e-commerce fulfillment, last-mile delivery, managed transportation, professional drivers, freight brokerage, nearshoring solutions, full-service leasing, maintenance, commercial truck rental, and used vehicle sales to some of the world’s most-recognized brands. Ryder provides services throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada. In addition, Ryder manages nearly 250,000 commercial vehicles, services fleets at 760 maintenance locations, and operates nearly 300 warehouses encompassing more than 100 million square feet. Ryder is regularly recognized for its industry-leading practices; technology-driven innovations; corporate responsibility; environmental management; safety, health and security programs; military veteran recruitment initiatives; and the hiring of a diverse workforce. www.ryder.com

Washington D.C – FedEx Corp. (NYSE:FDX) today released its Small Business Trade Index, a survey of U.S. small- and medium-sized business (SMB) leaders about their perceptions of the economy and trade. The study, which analyzed how technology and other trade policies impact U.S. business growth, found that a vast majority of SMBs believe trade is essential to growing and expanding the U.S. economy (88%) and growing jobs (85%). The Trade Index was comprised of 1,000 SMB leaders and conducted by Morning Consult between February 14 and 24, 2024. 

“Trade opens new markets for businesses of all sizes and offers opportunities for engagement at a time when connectivity is needed most,” said Raj Subramaniam, President and CEO, FedEx Corporation. “Policymakers must reprioritize ambitious trade agreements so U.S. businesses can compete around the world, access new customers, and set the rules for fair and smart supply chains that connect the global marketplace.”  

More than two-thirds of U.S. SMB leaders rely on imported goods for production or as merchandise to distribute domestically. These businesses report they export products that utilize imported materials, and 82% say the ability to import products or components from overseas directly supports jobs within their company. The majority of SMB leaders believe expanding trade to customers in other countries is a good thing, with approximately 9 in 10 identifying that the most important countries to maintain trade with are Japan, the United Kingdom, and China.   

The Trade Index demonstrated that the growth of e-commerce and the advancement of technology is vital to U.S. small- and medium-sized businesses. More than 9 in 10 report e-commerce platforms have been key to facilitating global trade, which has been an important growth driver of their business (86%).  

The Trade Index also confirmed that U.S. small business decision makers face additional challenges, with the majority reporting shipping delays or disruptions due to geopolitical issues as a main barrier (84%).  Trade policies such as de minimis streamline trade paperwork processes by exempting low-value goods from customs duties and/or taxes.  More than 8 in 10 U.S. small business leaders say that eliminating de minimis would have an adverse impact on their operations. 

A majority of business leaders report that compared to 10 years ago, they are more likely to believe global trade stimulates growth, creates jobs, and fosters innovation. They also recognize the importance of retraining or reskilling individuals impacted by increased trade. An overwhelming majority (95%) support prioritizing job retraining and upgrading skills among workers to help the U.S. compete globally.   

FedEx conducts this survey among small- and medium-sized business leaders regularly to measure the impact trade has on U.S. businesses and their growth. FedEx operates the most extensive transportation network in the world, providing services to more than 220 countries and territories and moving more than 15 million packages per day.   

LISLE, Ill., March 12, 2024 — Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is making progress in autonomous driving technology in preparation for the launch of an autonomous commercial pilot program with customers. As a member of the TRATON Group, Navistar is involved in a new partnership with Plus to integrate its Level 4 autonomous SuperDrive™ technology stack into International® vehicles and other branded vehicles within the TRATON Group.

Navistar recognizes that the high volume and scalability of hub-to-hub operations presents an immediate addressable market of 25 billion miles of long-distance freight on the U.S. interstate system. The company has strategically selected hub-to-hub operations as the company’s core segment for commercial viability of autonomous implementation. International trucks equipped with SuperDrive™ by Plus are being validated with a safety driver on routes in Texas. Customer pilots are expected within the year, with commercial deployments expanding incrementally along strategic U.S. corridors.

“There is a strong business case for autonomous technology in the hub-to-hub distribution model, specifically in long-haul transportation where there’s a compelling opportunity to increase operational efficiencies,” said Tobias Glitterstam, chief Strategy and Transformation officer, Navistar. “Global partnership with a company like Plus allows us to leverage the technical strides they have made as we work together to focus on the commercial viability of Level 4 autonomous driving.”

Navistar’s autonomous commercial pilot program is focused on integrated autonomous solutions. Fully developed and supported by Navistar, the autonomous technology solutions will be seamlessly integrated into customer operations, tailored to fit unique customer requirements.

“Our autonomous commercial pilot program is intended to be a safe, reliable option for customers to explore the deployment and integration of autonomous vehicles into their operations,” said Chet Ciesielski, vice president, On-Highway Business, Navistar. “As always, we are committed to being a trusted partner as we seek to develop solutions for autonomous driving technology that increase our customers’ operating efficiencies, improve road safety, and alleviate strains in the supply chain.”

The Plus Level 4 autonomous driving system SuperDrive™ is integrated into International trucks, providing solutions for maintenance, telematics, safety, and reliability.

“We are excited to partner with Navistar to build the next generation of transportation solutions enabled by our industry-leading autonomy technology,” added Shawn Kerrigan, COO and Co-founder of Plus. “By leveraging our experience deploying our highly modular and flexible autonomous driving software across the U.S., we can help accelerate the commercialization of autonomous trucks that can easily be integrated into customer operations.”

About Navistar
Navistar, Inc. (“Navistar”) is a commercial transportation solutions provider with a vision to accelerate the impact of sustainable mobility. Based in Lisle, Illinois, Navistar and its subsidiaries and affiliates produce International® commercial trucks and powertrains, IC Bus® school and commercial buses, OnCommand® Connection advanced connectivity services, Fleetrite® aftermarket parts, and captive financing through Navistar Financial. With a history of innovation dating back to 1831, Navistar has nearly 15,000 employees worldwide and is a subsidiary of TRATON SE, the parent and holding company of the TRATON GROUP and one of the world’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers. Learn more at www.Navistar.com.

About Plus
Plus is a global provider of autonomous driving technology with headquarters in Silicon Valley, California and operations in the U.S., Europe and Australia. Named by Forbes as one of America’s Best Startup Employers and by Fast Company as one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies, Plus’s open autonomy technology platform is already powering vehicles in commercial use today. Partnered with Bosch, dm-drogerie markt, DSV, IVECO, Luminar, Nikola, Scania / MAN / Navistar of the TRATON Group, Transurban and other global partners, Plus is working to make driving safer, more comfortable, and more sustainable. For more information, visit www.plus.ai.

Website: Navistar.com/News

SOURCE NAVISTAR INTERNATIONAL CORP

For further information: Navistar Media contact: Nick Smith, Nick.Smith@Navistar.com, 480-398-6511; Navistar Investor contact: Marvin Kalberlah, Marvin.Kalberlah@Navistar.com, 630-432-5179

WASHINGTON – Amtrak was honored for workplace excellence, earning a spot on the Forbes 2024 list as one of America’s Best Employers. Received for nine consecutive years, this achievement comes as Amtrak builds a workforce to modernize infrastructure, major stations and trains — setting in motion a new era of rail that will change the way America moves.

“It is heartening to receive this award as we build a new generation of expertise that powers our growth,” said Amtrak Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Robert Grasty. “Amtrak always strives to give employees a positive work experience. We continue to create new programs and design key initiatives aimed at retaining the talented men and women in this company.”

Amtrak hired 4,800 new employees in 2023, increasing the company’s workforce to more than 23,000. This growth comes as Amtrak advances critical infrastructure work, improves safety, reliability and accessibility, enhances the customer experience and launches new and expanded service. Forbes identified the Best Employers through an independent survey with a sample size of more than 170,000 U.S. workers at companies of at least 1,000 within the U.S. The final score is based on direct evaluations among employees as well as friends and family members of employees, or members of the public who work in the same industry.

To stay up to date on career opportunities and join a diverse workforce of individuals dedicated to moving America forward, please visit the Amtrak career site at careers.Amtrak.com.

About Amtrak®
For more than 50 years, Amtrak has connected America and modernized train travel. Offering a safe, environmentally efficient way to reach more than 500 destinations across 46 states and parts of Canada, Amtrak provides travelers with an experience that sets a new standard. Book travel, check train status, access your eTicket and more through the Amtrak app. Learn more at Amtrak.com and connect with us on X, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Hong Kong – Global logistics service provider UPS (NYSE: UPS) and the Hong Kong Airport Authority have entered into an agreement that improves UPS service to customers and enhances the company’s operations in Asia with a new hub at the Hong Kong International Airport and near the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.

The new hub will serve as UPS Hong Kong’s main facility for processing and sorting imports, exports, and transshipments, to and from Europe, the U.S., and other parts of Asia.

The hub is expected to be completed by 2028 and will be built on a land parcel of 20,000 square metres with direct access to aircraft. The facility is being designed to handle close to 1 million tons of annual capacity, giving UPS and its customers around the world better and more reliable connectivity to Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area1, and the growing Asia Pacific consumer market.

“Hong Kong continues to be an engine of growth and a critical part of UPS’s global smart logistics network,” said Daryl Tay, president of UPS North Asia District. “This new hub, along with our existing operations at Shenzhen Bao An Airport, demonstrate our continued commitment to Asia. We will continue to invest in areas of our network that bring unique value to our customers and create additional growth opportunities for UPS.”

A fully automated facility, the hub will be powered by state-of-the-art sorting and scanning technology and boasts environment-friendly features. This latest investment is part of UPS’s expansion plans to support Greater Bay Area growth, and better serve evolving customer needs and shipping demand across its air network. It also allows UPS to optimize its existing operations in Hong Kong by streamlining some smaller and separately located facilities.

UPS will continue to invest in Asia Pacific to serve its customers with stronger cross-border connectivity, greater capacity, and an industry-leading customer experience. In recent years, UPS has made numerous network and facility enhancements across Asia, including Singapore, Japan, China, Vietnam, South Korea, and the Philippines. UPS also launched UPS Premier, a ‘white glove’ shipping service targeted at healthcare customers who require precision logistics for patient-critical, time- and temperature-sensitive products. UPS Premier is now available in seven countries in Asia, including Hong Kong, with more locations planned for launch next year.

Download the supporting infographic

[1] Home to 86 million people and with gross domestic product worth almost US$2 trillion as of 2022, the Greater Bay Area comprises Hong Kong, Macau, and nine municipalities in southern China’s Guangdong Province. UPS has been operating in Hong Kong and Macau for 35 years, with services covering all 11 Greater Bay Area cities.

About UPS
UPS (NYSE: UPS) is one of the world’s largest companies, with a 2022 revenue of $100.3 billion, and provides a broad range of integrated logistics solutions for customers in more than 200 countries and territories. Focused on its purpose statement, “Moving our world forward by delivering what matters,” the company’s more than 500,000 employees embrace a strategy that is simply stated and powerfully executed: Customer First. People Led. Innovation Driven. UPS is committed to reducing its impact on the environment and supporting the communities we serve around the world. UPS also takes an unwavering stance in support of diversity, equity and inclusion. More information can be found at www.ups.com, about.ups.com and www.investors.ups.com.

WILLIS, Texas – Navistar has announced the opening of its 100th storefront location by Kyrish Truck Center in Willis, Texas for its Fleetrite® all-makes and models aftermarket truck and bus parts brand. With this milestone, Navistar has doubled its original goal of opening 50 Fleetrite locations by 2025.

“Our goal for Fleetrite is to continue to expand our reach with additional product lines and store locations to increase the Fleetrite footprint in North America and connect with more customers,” said Mark Reiter, vice president, Parts. “Kyrish Truck Centers, and all our dealers who have opened Fleetrite locations, make these goals possible. We also appreciate Kyrish whose investment in new, standalone facilities, like this site in Willis, Texas, puts parts in the hands of our dealers, fleet managers, and service managers thereby reducing downtime for our customers. We see true value in the Fleetrite brand and look forward to working with Kyrish, and all our dealers, to open additional facilities.”

Fleetrite currently offers more than 100 product lines with 18,000 parts, consistently increasing its offerings and inventory for customers. For over 50 years, Fleetrite stores have offered aftermarket quality approved parts which are competitively priced and backed by a one-year nationwide parts and labor warranty.

Kyrish Truck Centers, a family owned and operated International® truck dealership which concentrates on the sale and service of medium duty, heavy duty, and severe duty trucks, now operates four Fleetrite locations across Texas. Through its Fleetrite stores, Kyrish allows greater access to parts for customers across the state.

“We are delighted to be opening our newest Fleetrite store in Willis, Texas,” said Jeff Kyrish, CEO, Kyrish Truck Centers. “We believe that Fleetrite is an integral part of our long-term parts strategy, targeting customers who traditionally shy away from an OEM buying opportunity and helping our customers increase uptime. These stores have allowed us to reach more customers quicker and provide top-quality all-makes parts that get trucks back on the road.”

In celebration of the new store in Willis, Kyrish Truck Center hosted a grand opening on Aug. 3, and invited customers, community, and company leaders. Brad Smith, shop foreman with the Willis Independent School District, participated in the event after recently connecting with the store’s personnel. Smith oversees a fleet that includes 97 IC Bus® school buses. The district is experiencing significant growth, adding between 1,500 and 1,800 new students in the coming year. Smith anticipates that about half will require school bus transportation, requiring him to precisely maintain his fleet and prevent downtime. He welcomes the opening of a new Fleetrite store across the street from his bus depot.

“From what I can tell looking around, the store will have a lot of stock,” said Smith. “That really helps my school district because we’re growing so fast. With the store here, I can get parts so much quicker and not have to go get a spare bus to put on the road. It’s going to be great. It will keep my fleet running a lot more efficiently.”

In recent years, recruiting, hiring, and retaining qualified school bus drivers challenged the transportation and education industries. With so many students and their families relying on bus drivers for safe, reliable transportation to and from school, Smith believes the Fleetrite store in Willis, its parts availability, and in-house, local experts to assist with service challenges, will enhance the operation of his fleet, prevent disruptions, and satisfy his drivers.

“Bus drivers don’t like to drive a bus that isn’t theirs,” said Smith. “If I can keep them in their bus, the whole year, that keeps them working. That makes them come to work.”

To learn more about Fleetrite, visit www.fleetrite.com.

About Navistar
Navistar, Inc. (“Navistar”) is a purpose-driven company, reimagining how to deliver what matters to create more cohesive relationships, build higher-performing teams and find solutions where others don’t. Based in Lisle, Illinois, Navistar or its subsidiaries and affiliates produce International® brand commercial trucks and engines, IC Bus® brand school and commercial buses, all-makes OnCommand® Connection advanced connectivity services, and Fleetrite®, ReNEWeD® and Diamond Advantage® brand aftermarket parts. With a history of innovation dating back to 1831, Navistar has more than 14,500 employees worldwide and is part of TRATON SE, a global champion of the truck and transport services industry. Additional information is available at www.Navistar.com.

WASHINGTON – All 11 members of Amtrak’s executive leadership team signed the Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) Rail Safety Pledge. Recognizing we can save lives together and in honor of U.S. National Safety Month, Amtrak and OLI challenge others to take the pledge and commit to staying safe near railroad tracks and trains.

Those who take the rail safety pledge can use the share button to post on social media. Using the hashtags #IPledgeYouPledge and #RailSafety, Amtrak encourages others to make their own commitment to saving lives:

I will make safe choices around railroad tracks and trains by obeying warning signs and always expecting a train.
I will stay off the tracks including when taking photographs or filming videos and will never walk on or too close to railroad tracks (it’s dangerous and illegal).
I will only walk, ride or drive across railroad tracks at designated crossings.
I will share the rail safety message with my friends and family.
Every 3 hours in the U.S., a person or vehicle is hit by a train. Making the right choices can save lives while railroads continue the vital business of delivering goods and people.

“While we show up every day to deliver a safe experience for our customers, employees and communities, we can only do so much as individuals,” said Amtrak Executive Vice President and Chief Safety Officer Steve Predmore. “Rail Safety is a team effort. As we continue to grow, the best resource to address track incidents is to come together as one.”

“We urge everyone – kids and adults – to take the rail safety pledge, know the facts, make safe choices and share the rail safety message,” said OLI Executive Director Rachel Maleh, “Take the pledge, challenge others to take the pledge, join us in raising rail safety awareness in your community and request a FREE rail safety presentation at oli.org. Together, we can #STOPTrackTragedies.”

According to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), trespassing along railroad rights-of-way is the leading cause of rail-related deaths in America, and railroad crossing incidents are the second leading cause. Every time someone trespasses on the tracks, it can lead to devastating results that impact someone’s life, their family, and the community at large.

Amtrak continues to work closely with OLI to #STOPTrackTragedies by emphasizing the dangers of being on rail property or disregarding warnings at crossings. For rail crossing tips, please visit www.stayoffthetracks.org or www.oli.org.

ATLANTA – UPS (NYSE:UPS) today announced additional investments in safe driving education and training, including the rollout of 20 additional driving and delivery simulators across the country, nearly doubling the number of driving simulators in UPS facilities since first launching in 2020.

In 2022, enhanced and rigorous training efforts resulted in more than 20,000 drivers receiving training and more than 1,200 additional drivers being inducted into the UPS Circle of Honor (COH), an elite group of UPS drivers who have each achieved 25 years or more of accident-free driving. With these new inductees, COH now includes more than 10,000 members across four continents, with a shared 305,691 years of accident-free safe driving.

All of UPS’s more than 100,000 drivers benefit from the company’s commitment to industry-leading training. That cutting-edge training is showcased at Integrad®, UPS’s dedicated driver training schools. These schools pioneered the use of virtual reality (VR) in an industrial training environment. The UPS Driving Simulator provides realistic driving experiences before UPS drivers operate an actual delivery vehicle. This VR experience is coupled with hands-on driving and instructor-led classroom training delivered by elite professional trainers.

“Safe driving is no accident. Our drivers have a passion for safety that is built on a foundation of best-in-class training programs,” said Executive Vice President and President U.S., Nando Cesarone. “The most important stop for our drivers is when they return home safely after work. And that’s why it’s our top priority to build a safe place to work that delivers on our promise to provide great paths for every UPSer to achieve their career goals.”

Training at Integrad facilities includes real-life challenges with typical road hazards, such as pedestrians, parked cars and oncoming traffic, to ensure our drivers are ready to keep themselves and their communities safe while on the road. Our culture of safety spans training and support services within our facilities and hubs and for on-the-road drivers and is backed by an investment in 2022 alone totaling more than $343 million on safety training courses.

“Safety begins with the right training and is a process of daily commitment and continual learning,” said Jacqueline Williams, a UPS Circle of Honor driver with 42 years of accident-free driving. “I use the safe work methods we learn every day. They help me and my fellow drivers to stay safe while keeping our customers and communities safe as well.”

UPS drivers are not only among the safest in the industry, but also the best paid. UPS provides employees with industry-leading pay and benefits, and the average yearly compensation of full-time package delivery drivers is $95,000. In addition to the health and welfare benefits that UPS provides, the total compensation for drivers is about $145,000 a year. For those who seek flexibility, part-time UPS employees receive the same generous healthcare benefits as full-time employees, which requires no premiums, no co-insurance and low co-pays.

Visual assets are available here.

To learn more, go to https://about.ups.com/sg/en/our-company/great-employer.html.

About UPS

UPS (NYSE: UPS) is one of the world’s largest companies, with 2022 revenue of $100.3 billion, and provides a broad range of integrated logistics solutions for customers in more than 220 countries and territories. Focused on its purpose statement, “Moving our world forward by delivering what matters,” the company’s more than 500,000 employees embrace a strategy that is simply stated and powerfully executed: Customer First. People Led. Innovation Driven. UPS is committed to reducing its impact on the environment and supporting the communities we serve around the world. UPS also takes an unwavering stance in support of diversity, equity and inclusion. More information can be found at www.ups.com, about.ups.com and www.investors.ups.com.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — As the holidays are fast approaching, so are the mailing deadlines to send presents and merriment to friends and loved ones serving away from home. Be prepared and get your letters and packages in the mail in time to ensure their delight this festive season.

Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes are available at no cost at Post Office locations and can also be ordered via usps.com. Postage, labels and customs forms can also be printed online anytime using the Click-N-Ship feature. All mailing products can be found at the Postal Store.

The Postal Service is expecting to process more than 10.1 million pounds of mail for APO/FPO/DPO destinations this holiday season.

To ensure timely delivery by Dec. 25, the Postal Service recommends that cards and packages be sent to military APO/FPO/DPO addresses overseas no later than the mailing dates listed below.

*Priority Mail Express Military Service is available to select military/diplomatic Post Offices. Check with your local Post Office to determine if this service is available to an APO/FPO/DPO address.

Use the Military Care Kit to Send Presents and Care Packages

The Postal Service has created a free Military Care Kit based on the items most frequently requested by military families. The kit contains:

Two Priority Mail APO/FPO Flat Rate Boxes
Four Priority Mail Medium Flat Rate Boxes
Priority Mail tape
Priority Mail address labels
Six custom forms envelopes
To order flat-rate boxes featuring the “America Supports You” logo or a military care kit, call 800-610-8734 or visit the online Postal Store.

Addressing the Package

Write the service member’s full name and rank.
Include the unit and APO/FPO/DPO address with the 9-digit ZIP Code (if one is assigned). For example:
Army/Air Post Office (APO)
PFC JANE DOE
PSC 3 BOX 4120
APO AE 09021

Fleet Post Office (FPO)
SEAMAN JOSEPH SMITH
UNIT 100100 BOX 4120
FPO AP 96691

Diplomatic Post Office (DPO)
MELANIE ADAMS
UNIT 8400 BOX 0000
DPO AE 09498-0048

Always include a return address.
Do not write the country name where the service member is stationed in the address.
Inside the box, include the service member’s name and address, as well as the sender’s name and address, on an index card in case the shipping label gets damaged in transit.
Guidelines for packing, addressing and shipping items to U.S. troops can also be found here.

New Pricing Effective Oct. 2

The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) approved a temporary price adjustment for key package products for the 2022 peak holiday season which are applicable to APO/FPO/DPO shipments. This temporary rate adjustment is similar to ones in past years that help cover extra handling costs to ensure a successful peak season. The temporary rates will go into effect at 12 a.m. Central on Oct. 2 and remain in place until 12 a.m. Central on Jan. 22, 2023.

The peak-season pricing approved by the PRC affects prices on retail domestic competitive parcels: Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, First-Class Package Service, Parcel Select and USPS Retail Ground. International products will be unaffected.

This seasonal adjustment brings prices for the Postal Service’s commercial and retail customers in line with competitive practices.

Delivering for America, the Postal Service’s 10-year plan for achieving financial sustainability and service excellence, calls for appropriate pricing initiatives. The Postal Service has some of the lowest postage rates in the industrialized world and continues to offer great values in shipping. These temporary rates will keep USPS competitive while providing the agency with the revenue to cover extra costs in anticipation of peak-season volume.

The approved price changes include:

Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express:

Retail:
$0.95 increase for Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express Flat Rate Boxes and Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express Flat Rate Envelopes.
$0.30 increase for Zones 1-4, 0-10 lbs.
$1.00 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-10 lbs.
$0.95 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs.
$3.20 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
$3.25 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 lbs.
$6.45 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs.
First-Class Package Service, Parcel Select Ground and USPS Retail Ground:

Retail:
$0.30 increase for Zones 1-4, 0-10 lbs.
$0.60 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-10 lbs.
$0.95 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs.
$2.70 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
$3.25 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 lbs.
$5.85 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs.
A zone pricing calculator can be found online. A complete list of business products and prices is also available online.

The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

Please Note: For U.S. Postal Service media resources, including broadcast-quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube channel, like us on Facebook and enjoy our Postal Posts blog. For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and facts.usps.com.

More USPS holiday news can be found at usps.com/holidaynews. For reporters interested in speaking with a regional Postal Service public relations professional, please go to about.usps.com/news/media-contacts/usps-local-media-contacts.pdf.

Contact: David P. Coleman
david.p.coleman@usps.gov
usps.com/news

SOURCE U.S. Postal Service

SÖDERTÄLJE, Sweden, May 23, 2022 — The Swedish freight technology company Einride, a leading provider of end-to-end digital, electric and autonomous shipping solutions, will begin the roll out of 110 Scania trucks starting in the second half of 2022. Einride already has one of Europe’s largest heavy duty electric fleets, and will further expand their market presence with this partnership.

The full fleet of trucks will be built to Einride’s hardware specifications and powered by their first of its kind operating system Saga, that ensures electric shipping is efficient and optimised. Fleet data insights that are generated through the Saga platform will be provided to Scania for continued product co-development between the teams. “We are looking forward to the beginning of this vital partnership as we expand across Europe. These 110 trucks will make a substantial contribution to increasing our fleet, while we will continue to join forces with renowned industry players such as Scania to drive innovation and product development in the global transport industry,” says Ellen Kugelberg, Chief Product Officer, Einride.

Einride’s order is the largest deal to date of electric heavy-duty vehicles in Europe for Scania. It is also only the beginning of a new long-term partnership that will contribute to both companies’ ambition to scale up electric road freight: “We share the same vision of decarbonising heavy transport. It has been rewarding to work with Einride on joint new technical solutions and digital services that will sustainably advance our industry”, says Fredrik Allard, Head of E-Mobility, Scania.

The fleet of 110 Scania trucks will be implemented throughout Europe during 2022 and the first half of 2023.

Einride
A leading freight technology company providing digital, electric, and autonomous shipping, founded in 2016 and became the world’s first company to operate an autonomous, electric freight vehicle on a public road in 2019. For more information, visit einride.tech

For further information, please contact:
Erik Bratthall, Corporate Public and Media Relations Manager, Scania
Phone: +46 76 724 45 27
E-mail: erik.bratthall@scania.com

Maja Ruhbach, Global PR Manager, Einride
Phone: +46 76 114 60 29
E-mail: press@einride.tech

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/scania/r/scania-and-einride-sign-deal-to-accelerate-electrification-of-road-freight-with-fleet-of-110-trucks,c3572411

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/209/3572411/1583258.pdf

Scania and Einride sign deal to accelerate electrification of road freight with fleet of 110 trucks

https://news.cision.com/scania/i/220522scania-einride-16-7,c3052187

220522Scania Einride 16-7

SOURCE Scania

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6, 2022 — The U.S. Postal Service said it remains committed to working with all its stakeholders – including Congress and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – as it pursues the fiscally responsible implementation of its Next Generation Delivery Vehicle (NGDV) program, which is designed to introduce safer and more environmentally friendly vehicles and works towards the electrification of its delivery fleet as quickly as resources and infrastructure will allow.

“Our commitment to an electric fleet remains ambitious given the pressing vehicle and safety needs of our aging fleet as well as our dire financial condition,” said Postmaster General and USPS Chief Executive Officer Louis DeJoy. “The proposed action, which we are evaluating under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), includes an initial order plan for 5,000 electric vehicles, and the flexibility to increase the number of electric vehicles introduced should additional funding become available. Absent such funding, we must make fiscally responsible decisions that result in the needed introduction of safer and environmentally cleaner vehicles for the men and women who deliver America’s mail.”

In the spirit of collaboration and dedication to modernizing its fleet, the Postal Service has made its top engineering, logistics, and labor staff available to key federal agencies as part of the process of better determining what is needed from an environmental standpoint for its NGDV.

In preparing its Environmental Impact Statement (“EIS”) under NEPA, the Postal Service also consulted with several federal agencies and continues to consult with them as it moves to complete the NEPA process. The NEPA law ensures federal agencies carefully consider environmental impacts and reasonable alternatives to a proposed course of action, and the Postal Service believes it has fully satisfied the requirements of the statute.

Also over the past year, the Postal Service has made its teams available to policymakers in Congress, as they pursued efforts to secure funding to achieve a majority electric USPS delivery vehicle fleet over the next 10 years. Although congressional funding levels have varied, the Postal Service most recently discussed an ability to achieve 70% fleet electrification within a decade.

“When you’re an independent government entity running billion-dollar annual losses, and with a Congressional mandate to operate in a financially sustainable manner, we are compelled to act prudently in the interests of the American public. However, that responsibility should not be mistaken for an ambivalent commitment to operating a cleaner Postal vehicle fleet for our country,” said Postmaster General DeJoy. “Moreover, comparisons of the Postal Service to private sector multi-national corporations that report yearly profits in the billions of dollars, and that are not required to go to 161 million delivery addresses in all climates and topographies six days per-week, are not relevant in view of our perilous financial condition and universal service mission. We will be resolute in making decisions that are grounded in our financial situation and what we can realistically achieve, while pushing hard to take delivery of safer, cleaner vehicles by next year. Given our large fiscal deficits and significant financial challenges, Congress is well aware of the additional resources that would be required if Congress would prefer the Postal Service to accelerate the electrification of our delivery vehicle fleet as a matter of public policy.”

The NGDV with an internal combustion engine would be a more fuel-efficient vehicle as compared to the current Long Life Vehicle (LLV), despite being larger. The NGDV’s fuel economy without air conditioning running is 14.7 MPG, compared with the LLV’s fuel economy of 8.4 MPG (which does not have air conditioning). The new vehicle would provide the Postal Service carriers with numerous modern safety features including 360 degree cameras, automatic front and rear braking, and a driver air bag.

Recognizing that powertrain technology may change significantly over the available 20-year life of the NGDV, the Postal Service selected a flexible design platform that can accommodate advancements in technology. It provides a vehicle platform that can be delivered with either an internal combustion engine or battery electric drive train technology.

The NGDV power train mix in the proposed action that is being considered under NEPA would have positive environmental impacts as compared with the current LLVs due to fewer required trips and better emission controls. These controls would decrease tailpipe emissions and help improve air quality when compared to the LLVs they are intended to replace. 

The Postal Service’s cost estimates include the price of charging infrastructure rather than assuming the availability of public charging, because Postal vehicles must be charged at Postal Service facilities in bulk to accommodate the operational and logistical needs of its carriers. The Postal Service is analyzing state and local electrical grid capacity to determine potential necessary upgrades at the grid-level.

The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

Please Note: For U.S. Postal Service media resources, including broadcast quality video, audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube Channel, like us on Facebook and enjoy its Postal Posts blog. For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and facts.usps.com.

For reporters interested in speaking with a regional Postal Service public relations professional, please go to about.usps.com/news/media-contacts/usps-local-media-contacts.pdf.

Contact: Kim Frum
kimberly.a.frum@usps.gov
usps.com/news

SOURCE U.S. Postal Service

MEMPHIS, Tenn. and REDMOND, Wash., Jan. 24, 2022 — FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) on Monday announced the next solution as part of their multiyear collaboration to transform commerce, supply chains and logistics. FedEx and Microsoft will bring together FedEx network intelligence with capabilities from Microsoft Dynamics 365 to introduce a cross-platform “logistics as a service” for retailers, merchants and brands.

The companies share a vision for reimagining commerce experiences for businesses so they can offer their consumers more integrated ways to shop, and faster, more efficient deliveries. In today’s world of just-in-time supply chains, global trade and accelerated e-commerce growth, speed, flexibility and visibility are critical. Customer needs and expectations have shifted across every industry. Together, FedEx and Microsoft are using tools like artificial intelligence and machine learning to extrapolate new insights from the 17 million packages that pass through the FedEx network each day to help brands deliver improved customer experiences.

Cross-platform, logistics as a service solution for brands
The companies announced plans to introduce a unique data integration coupling data insights from FedEx with Dynamics 365 Intelligent Order Management to help brands access new information and capabilities to better fulfill, ship and service customer orders while easily integrating with their existing e-commerce platforms. This cross-platform approach helps brands deliver modern, high-value experiences directly to their customers including faster, more cost-effective delivery; near real-time delivery status communications; and convenient, frictionless returns with approximately 60,000 drop-off locations and printerless QR codes. For brands facing increased pressure to build affinity while managing higher order volumes, ensuring cost-effective fulfilment and reducing costly customer service calls, this new technology brings unprecedented opportunity to leverage existing systems of record, optimize fulfillment and deliver on their order promises with increased precision, while benefiting from a more complete view of their customer.

“Nearly two years ago we set out on a mission with Microsoft to transform the commerce ecosystem,” said Raj Subramaniam, president and COO of FedEx Corp. “In that time, we’ve made significant progress, leveraging Microsoft Azure technology with our FedEx Surround solution, which provides critical support in enabling advanced monitoring of time-sensitive priority shipments. This next phase of our collaboration will continue to connect the unmatched supply chain insights from the FedEx network with the Microsoft Cloud to improve e-commerce experiences for brands, merchants and consumers.”

Dynamics 365 Intelligent Order Management uses data and AI to create an omnichannel order management application that integrates with existing enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) systems and can leverage an ecosystem of other order source systems such as online e-commerce marketplaces, mobile apps and social commerce alongside traditional ordering channels like electronic data interchange (EDI) or brick and mortar point-of-sale. The platform is equipped with prebuilt connectors to the leading tools brands already use for omnichannel order intake, cross-channel order fulfillment and delivery, and rules-based order orchestration actions within a low-code/no-code environment that uses AI and machine learning. Coupled with data and visibility into the FedEx network, the companies aim to empower businesses with new, innovative ways to better serve their customers.

“More than ever, it’s clear just how critical having a resilient supply chain is for every organization’s success in the modern economy,” said Satya Nadella, chairman and CEO, Microsoft. “We’re bringing data and insights from the FedEx network together with the Microsoft Cloud, starting with Dynamics 365, to help organizations accelerate their digital transformation across their business operations so they can offer customers more integrated ways to shop, and faster, more efficient deliveries.”

Empowering all industries with increased logistics supply chain visibility
FedEx and Microsoft joined forces in May 2020 to enable businesses to better compete in today’s increasingly digital commerce ecosystem. The pandemic has dramatically accelerated e-commerce adoption and the digital transformations of business of all sizes. Pre-pandemic, FedEx projected that the U.S. domestic package market would hit 100 million packages per day by calendar year 2026. The market is now expected to hit this mark four years sooner than expected, growing to 110 million packages a day in 2022 — with 86% of that growth expected to come from e-commerce.

FedEx Surround, the first FedEx customer-facing solution built using Microsoft Azure cloud technology, is a testament to the collaboration’s innovative potential and immediate impact on how data is used in logistics. Built to leverage the millions of data points across the FedEx network, the FedEx Surround platform leverages AI, machine learning and analytics solutions to proactively monitor the risk to FedEx packages along a delivery route — such as weather disruptions or traffic delays. This near real-time information provides customers with visibility to the state of their supply chain and allows them to proactively plan remediation and alternatives that FedEx can help execute to keep a shipment on track.

FedEx Surround was deployed in December 2020 and has been instrumental in supporting COVID-19 vaccine transportation. The platform enabled FedEx to manage monitoring this significant increase in priority shipment volume.

Availability
Seamless FedEx data integration with Dynamics 365 Intelligent Order Management is expected to be available to customers in the U.S. in the second half of 2022.

About FedEx Corp.
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $90 billion, the company offers integrated business solutions through operating companies competing collectively, operating collaboratively and innovating digitally under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 600,000 team members to remain focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. FedEx is committed to connecting people and possibilities around the world responsibly and resourcefully, with a goal to achieve carbon-neutral operations by 2040. To learn more, please visit about.fedex.com.

About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.

DALLAS, Dec. 20, 2021 — Greyhound, the largest provider of intercity bus transportation in North America, is providing vital transportation this holiday season with its long-standing ‘Home Free’ program, helping runaway, homeless, and exploited youth between the ages of 12 and 21 reunite with their families (or legal guardians) through a free bus ticket home or to a stable and safe place. 2021 marks the 34th consecutive year Greyhound has provided the free program, demonstrating its commitment to serve communities nationwide.

“Every year, through our Home Free program, we help young people in need receive a free ride home,” said Dave Leach, President and Chief Executive Officer, Greyhound Lines, Inc. “I am both humbled and thrilled to be a part of the Greyhound team committed to providing young people the chance to reconnect with their families and return to a safe environment. It is our hope that the resources we provide runaway youth will bring comfort to those looking to safely reunite with their families.”

To extend the program and provide this service on a greater scale, Greyhound has partnered with the National Runaway Safeline (NRS) since 1995. NRS, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, is an organization that helps keep runaway and homeless youth safe.

According to the Voices of Youth Count from researchers at Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, nearly 4.2 million youth experience some form of homelessness each year in America, leaving them at risk for exploitation, assault, illness and suicide. Home Free is designed to help make sure runaway young people between the ages of 12 and 21 have a ticket to get back home to their families or safe legal guardians.

In 2020, nearly 325 free bus tickets were provided to young people looking to be reconnected with their families. So far in 2021, Greyhound and the NRS have provided more than 230 free bus tickets, valued at nearly $42,000.

“The Home Free partnership between Greyhound and NRS continues to have a positive impact in providing a vital resource in helping address and resolve the growing number of homeless and exploited young people,” said Susan Frankel, Chief Executive Officer, National Runaway Safeline. “We are honored to be able to continue our partnership with Greyhound Lines and look forward to serving as their charitable partner for the Home Free program for many more years.”

If you or someone you know has run away or is experiencing homelessness and wants to return home or needs help, call toll-free 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929) or visit www.1800RUNAWAY.org. Click here to learn more about the program.

About Greyhound
Greyhound is the largest North American provider of intercity bus transportation, serving more than 1,700 destinations across the continent. The company also provides Greyhound Package Express and charter services. For fare and schedule information and to buy tickets call 1-800-231-2222 or visit the website at Greyhound.com. For the latest news and travel deals, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram.

About The National Runaway Safeline (NRS)
The National Runaway Safeline (NRS) is a national non-profit organization committed to ensuring that runaway, homeless and at-risk youth are safe and off the streets. Founded in 1971, NRS operates a national crisis services and support system for youth and families throughout the U.S., providing critical crisis intervention 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Each year, NRS makes hundreds of thousands of connections to help and hope through hotline (1-800-RUNAWAY), and online (1800RUNAWAY.org) and prevention services.

For additional information, visit www.1800RUNAWAY.org or follow us @1800RUNAWAY on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

SOURCE Greyhound Lines, Inc.

CONTACT: Crystal Booker, Phone: 214-849-6826, Email: news.media@greyhound.com