FedEx Supply Chain
| File:FedEx Supply Chain logo.svg | |
| Formerly |
|
|---|---|
| Company type | Subsidiary |
| Industry | Transportation |
| Founded | 1898 |
| Founder | Hyman Shear |
| Headquarters | , |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Scott Temple, President & CEO Dr. Udo Lange, President & CEO, FedEx Logistics |
| Products | |
| Revenue | US$45.2 billion (FY2020) |
Number of employees | 11,000 (2017) |
| Parent | FedEx Corporation |
| Website | supplychain |
FedEx Supply Chain, previously identified as GENCO (General Commodities Warehouse & Distribution Co.), ranks among the foremost third-party logistics (3PL) providers within the United States and Canada. Established in 1898 by Hyman Shear under the name H. Shear Trucking Company in Pittsburgh, the firm caters to sectors including technology, retail and e-commerce, consumer and industrial products, as well as healthcare.
Following its acquisition by FedEx in 2015 and subsequent rebranding in 2017, FedEx Supply Chain manages 130 distribution and warehouse facilities throughout North America, encompassing a total of 35 million square feet. Its extensive suite of services features fulfillment, warehousing, reverse logistics, and transportation solutions. Recognition from Multichannel Merchant as a Top 3PL in 2018 highlights its strong market position and operational excellence within the logistics sector.
Early history
Founded in 1898 by Hyman Shear, H. Shear Trucking Company began by transporting goods in Pittsburgh using horse-drawn wagons. By 1917, the business had expanded its reach with the introduction of its first gasoline-powered truck and quickly grew to operate a fleet of seven vehicles.
Sam Shear, Hyman’s son and a pharmacy graduate from the University of Pittsburgh, joined the enterprise after spending nine years managing a pharmacy. Under his guidance, the company increased its delivery fleet and incorporated warehousing and distribution capabilities into its offerings.
1960s-80s
By 1966, Shear Trucking had grown to employ over twenty drivers and counted prominent clients such as Copperweld Steel, Mattel Toys, Kimberly-Clark, Kaufmann's, and Gimbel's Department Store among its customers.
The third generation, represented by Herb Shear who joined in 1971, expanded the business to include public warehousing operations. In 1975, the company secured a significant contract with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to handle distribution across Western Pennsylvania. Distribution Resources Inc. (DRI) was launched in Eastern Pennsylvania in 1988 to offer labor-intensive services including light assembly, refurbishing, and general distribution.
In the late 1980s, Scanning Solutions, Inc. was created to develop software for returns processing and managing reclamation centers. This division provided centralized returns management and asset recovery services for retailers and manufacturers. Herb Shear also pioneered R-Log, an innovative software platform designed for reverse logistics management. During this era, GENCO established itself as a leader in reverse logistics and liquidation services within the industry.
1990s–2015
In 1995, the organization unified its divisions under the brand GENCO Distribution System, pioneering innovative supply chain management strategies. The 1997 purchase of Alpha & Omega, a Pittsburgh-based developer specializing in warehouse management system (WMS) software, broadened its technological capabilities.
Throughout the late 1990s, GENCO expanded its service offerings by acquiring several companies: Cumberland Distribution Services in 1999 enhanced its expertise in managing distribution centers, while Materials for Today's Learning / Joint Ventures bolstered its fulfillment operations. Additional acquisitions included IOgistics in 2003 and Capital Returns in 2005. In 2010, GENCO acquired publicly traded ATC Technology Corp for $512.6 million, resulting in the formation of GENCO ATC and significantly increasing its market presence and range of services.
The 2015 acquisition of GENCO ATC by FedEx for $1.4 billion led to the establishment of FedEx Supply Chain, representing a strategic move to expand FedEx’s global footprint and supply chain capabilities.
FedEx Supply Chain
FedEx Supply Chain stands as a prominent provider of non-asset-based transportation, warehousing, distribution, and value-added services across diverse industries. Its reverse logistics operations encompass returns management, recommerce, and recycling processes, handling 358 million returns and over 500,000 direct-to-consumer shipments each year. The company was honored by Multichannel Merchant as a Top Third-Party Logistics Provider (3PL) in 2018, reflecting robust financial results and market leadership.
In January 2019, FedEx Supply Chain was integrated into FedEx Logistics—formerly known as FedEx Trade Networks—streamlining corporate structure and enhancing strategic oversight within FedEx’s overall business framework.
Leadership Team
- Scott Temple – President and Chief Executive Officer
- Elizabeth Koziol – Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
- Chacko Verghese – Senior Vice President, Information Technology
- Jeremiah Benge – Vice President, Business Development