Exclusive | FedEx Express focuses on being a one stop shop: David Canavan

FedEx Express, a global leader, providing rapid, reliable, time-definite delivery to more than 220 countries and territories recently announced the successful integration of its acquired AFL and UFL businesses in India this year.  FedEx has focused on strengthening its domestic transportation and supply chain capabilities to meet the demands of Indian businesses.

In an exclusive interaction with Adgully, David Canavan, Vice President, Operations India, FedEx Express Europe, Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa (EMEA) shared the company’s  India related plans and also their new offerings in the market. Canavan has over 20 years of experience in the industry and looks after acquisition and integration at FedEx.

Speaking about Fedex’s logistic market in India and its performance, he explained, “I think it is a bit fragmented in India as loads of players are involved and there are loads of different service providers. Our integration and solutions are about one stop shop for every single service for customers which drives efficiency around business and speeds up leverage mark. It’s very competitive in India in the commerce segment with so many players.”

FedEx Express invented express distribution and has the industry’s unmatched air route authorities and transportation infrastructure, combined with leading-edge information technologies.

With time, India has seen change and progress in different sectors in the service industry and it has been no different for FedEx. Canavan elaborating on this said, “It’s a very dynamic growth story in India, thanks to government efforts also for contributing to it. We’ve seen loads of growth and improvement happening on the infrastructure side and we have come a long way. Right from airports, roads, clearance processes and lot of EDI automation, all these aspects are helping logistics.”

According to FedEx, in India, logistics as a percentage of GDP is 13 percent which is very high in comparison to the developed economy which is 5-6 percent. So, this scenario presents a lot of opportunities to FedEx to raise its level of efficiency.

“We have a strong base in US, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East and India. Our focus strategically is not only providing international services but also domestic services. Be it the economics like China, Brazil or India,” informed Canavan.

He also shared about how FedEx is placed globally, offering its services in 220 countries thus covering the world pretty much in terms of their coverage. “The market here is more organized. From customer perspective what we understand is that the customer is looking out for more value than purely just the price. India market is cost sensitive in every industry not only in logistics but there we see customer needs are evolving and the market is becoming more and more value based rather than purely price driven,” he added.

Customer requirements are becoming more complex and diverse and convenience is their top priority. Considering all these factors Fedex offers a varied range of services in the market under a single brand whereby they are able to offer the complete suite of products. “Today consumers are looking out for one company that can meet all their requirements. They look for international export, they look for domestic ground, supply chain and if one company can offer everything under one umbrella that’s a win- win situation for both. We look at our customers as business partners rather than just a customer,” avers Canavan.

Customer requirements in India are evolving with time and also leading to competition. “If you compare India versus west, customers have started valuing more service and so we are also expanding our value proposition in terms of investment and technology. We have a strong distinct advantage. Key focus for us is to be a one stop shop and we intend leveraging on this,” he stated.

“Fedex has a strong foundation and strong portfolio of services. Leveraging the advantages gained from the integration to meet the evolving requirements of our customers and evolving accordingly with them is our objective,” concluded Canavan.