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FedEx expects 8 per cent boost in shipments on its busiest day, Dec. 14

By: Samantha Bomkamp, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

10/11/2009 12:22 PM | Comments: 0

NEW YORK - FedEx is predicting a little more holiday cheer this year.

The company, based in Memphis, Tenn., forecasts it will ship 13 million packages Dec. 14, which it expects to be its busiest day this year.

That would be up more than eight per cent from the total of about 12 million packages shipped on its peak day last year.

That was the busiest day ever for FedEx, due in part to a growing partnership with the U.S. Postal Service. Last year's volumes were also boosted because of rival DHL exiting the U.S. market.

FedEx, which shipped about 11.5 million packages through its Ground and Express units in 2007, bases its predictions on discussions with large customers and other economic data.

FedEx ships about 7.5 million packages on an average day.

Both FedEx and larger rival United Parcel Service Inc. hire thousands of workers to account for the increased holiday haul each year.

This year, FedEx's Ground unit will add 14,000 additional part-time and temporary workers during November and December. At FedEx Express, part-time and full-time employees work overtime as needed during the holiday season.

UPS spokesman Norman Black said the company, based in Atlanta, expects to hire about 50,000 seasonal workers in the United States this year. It hired 60,000 seasonal workers in 2007. It didn't release statistics in 2008.

All FedEx's shipment numbers include a partnership with the U.S. Postal Service, where some packages mailed through the post office are routed for final delivery by a FedEx driver.

Dec. 17 is the last day to guarantee delivery through FedEx Ground. Dec. 23 is the last day to ship via the company's Express service.

Both FedEx and UPS generally release their holiday peak predictions in November. But neither company offered predictions last year, citing economic uncertainty.

UPS said it expects to release a prediction later this month.

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