F L O R I D A’ S
FOREMOST
Success Stories Behind Florida’s Leading Businesses
EXPRESS SUCCESS:
Together, FedEx and
Florida Are Delivering
Incredible Results
Juan N. Cento
Regional President,
FedEx Latin America
and Caribbean Division
F
EDEX WAS INSPIRED BY A SIMPLE IDEA:
TIME IS MONEY. WHAT BEGAN AS THE
THESIS FOR FEDEX CORP. CHAIRMAN,
PRESIDENT AND CEO FREDERICK W. SMITH’S
YALE UNIVERSIT Y TERM PAPER IS NOW A $45
BILLION GLOBAL TRANSPORTATION, BUSINESS
SERVICES AND LOGISTICS COMPANY. Since
beginning operations in 1973 with 14 small
jets out of the Memphis International Airport,
FedEx has made American business history
several times over. The pioneer of overnight
delivery was also the first U.S. company
to reach $1 billion in revenue within ten
years, demonstrating the kind of unbounded
success that’s possible when
the right idea is cultivated in
the right conditions. Today,
EXPRESS SHIPPER FINDS
OVERNIGHT
SUCCESS
IN THE
GATEWAY
TO THE
AMERICAS
the
company’s
operating
entity,
largest
FedEx
Express, continues to raise
the standards of transportation,
e-commerce and business
services. Serving more than
a talented workforce. You’ll find one of the
best examples of this effective strategy for
success in Florida, where the Latin American
and Caribbean (LAC) Division of FedEx
Express has grown its hemispheric footprint
for more than 25 years.
EXPLORING NEW FRONTIERS
When FedEx Express initiated service
to Latin America during the mid-1980s,
operations were small. Very small.
Working out of a lone commercial office in
Miami, FedEx got its start by sending couriers
on commercial flights to deliver letters and
parcels to the region. The presence of FedEx
Express in the Latin American market grew
following the acquisition of the Caribbean
airline Island Courier in 1987. FedEx further
expanded its South American network in
1989 through a merger with cargo airline
Flying Tigers, former employer of the current
Regional President of FedEx Express LAC
Division, Juan N. Cento.
220 countries and territories,
During his 26-year tenure at FedEx, Cento
FedEx Express brings global
has seen first hand how the company
access to the masses by
and the market it serves have changed
positioning
regional
since the LAC Division established its
strategic
regional headquarters in 1996. “To give
geographic locations boasting
you an idea of how quickly we’ve grown in
exceptional infrastructure and
Miami, when FedEx Express first opened
headquarters
its
in
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
#2 Infrastructure
11,000
in the United States
FedEx employees in
Florida supporting all
FedEx Corporation
operating activities
1 in 5 Exporters
are based in Florida
19,000
300+
Florida Delivers
WORLDWIDE
ACCESS
3rd–Largest
FedEx Express
employees in
LAC with 13,000
added between
2011 & 2012
Logistics and
distribution
cluster in the
United States
500,000
100 flights
“Florida offers
great access to
multicultural
professionals
in different
industries
and sectors,
benefitting from
a large pool of
talent and special
qualities and
skills in doing
business in Latin
America.”
Juan N. Cento
REGIONAL PRESIDENT,
FEDEX LATIN AMERICA AND
CARIBBEAN DIVISION
19
Multinational companies do
business in South Florida
Florida ranks #1 in exports
by air to South America
15
commercial airports
allow quick shipment of
goods across the globe.
50
FedEx Express
LAC Division
services 50
countries and
territories in Latin
America and
the Caribbean
1,100
#1 in Exports by Air
Logistics and
distribution
workers in Florida
each week originating
in Latin America and
the Caribbean
FedEx Express
Headquarters
employees in Miami
deepwater seaports give you
multiple access options
2,900
FedEx Express
delivery vehicle
fleet throughout
Latin America and
the Caribbean
the headquarters, we had less than 100
Throughout the years, Cento has watched
employees,” Cento reflected. “Today, the
international trade opportunities skyrocket
LAC Division has more than 19,000 team
as Florida continues to prove itself as a
members in 50 LAC countries and territories,
globally competitive market. In fact, if Florida
with more than 300 employees supporting
were a country, it would be the 19th-largest
our operations in Miami.” With two of the
economy in the world. For Cento, the benefits
region’s largest markets—Mexico and
of Florida’s commitment to international
Brazil—projecting population gains from
commerce are clear: “This has generated a
2010 to 2030 to be 14 and 19 percent
highly dynamic economy fueled by domestic
respectively, the LAC Division’s growth
and foreign ventures, gaining much more
shows no signs of slowing anytime soon.
economic power, transforming [the state]
into an epicenter for entrepreneurs that
THE GATEWAY TO GLOBAL ACCESS
The
saying
that
Miami
is
the
northernmost city in Latin America
may be an old one, but it continues
to ring true. “Over the past 15 years, I’ve
seen South Florida flourish as a strong
business bridge to and from the Americas,”
said Cento. The proof lies in the numbers.
FedEx Express joins more than 1,100 other
multinational companies calling South Florida
home, with nearly one-third dedicated to
serving the Latin American region alone.
stimulates business.”
CONNECTING WITH
INTERNATIONAL NE T WORKS
Florida’s powerful infrastructure is
the strategic linchpin of the FedEx
Express LAC Division. Connectivity
powerhouses like the Miami International
Airport exemplify the state’s top-ranked
multimodal transportation system, which
has proven to be an invaluable resource
for the air cargo company. “The Miami
International Airport has been central to
our transition from being a products and
services provider to becoming a robust
solutions-focused player in the industry,”
said Cento. In 2004, FedEx fully integrated
the airport into its LAC operations when it
opened its $50 million “Gateway Hub.” The
23-acre site offers refrigerated storage,
on-site US Customs Agents and a sorting
The LAC Division has more than 19,000 team members in 50 LAC countries and territories, with more
than 300 employees supporting their operations in Miami.
capacity of 40,000 packages per day,
empowering FedEx LAC to provide turnkey
solutions to its rapidly expanding overseas
markets. Responsible for 85 percent of air
imports and 80 percent of exports from
Latin America and the Caribbean, the
Miami International Airport handles more
international freight than any other airport
in the country, ranking ninth worldwide.
Beyond Florida’s chain of 19 commercial
and more than 100 public-use airports,
the state features a rich web of road and
rail, and a deepwater seaport within 90
miles of any business.
AT TR ACTING TOP-FLIGHT TALENT
qualities and skills in doing business in
Latin America,” said Cento. “It provides
a unique advantage for multinational
companies … and great opportunities for
our customers,” he added. It’s no accident
that Florida’s workforce consistently ranks
in the country’s top-three (CNBC). With
no personal income tax, streamlined
regulations and a favorable corporate tax
climate, the state continues to attract stateof-the-art companies—and the workers
who drive them—year after year. “Florida
is laser-focused on our goal of making
our state the number-one destination for
Exceptional service is another
jobs in the world,” said Florida Governor
success. To support LAC operations,
sector jobs have been added in four
with a strong logistics skill set and deep
burdensome regulations and cut taxes for
key component of FedEx’s global
Rick Scott. “More than 865,000 private-
FedEx sought out unique individuals
years, and we will keep working to remove
knowledge of the Latin American region.
Thanks to Florida’s 500,000-member
logistics and distribution workforce and five
families and businesses so job creators
like FedEx Express LAC can continue to
grow and succeed in Florida.”
FINDING THE TOTAL PACK AGE
From the company’s first days in
Florida, FedEx quickly recognized
that no other state could secure its
position as the undisputed leader
in providing transportation and
logistics solutions to Latin America.
With many other international companies
choosing Florida as their hemispheric
home base, the international shipping giant
isn’t alone in its beliefs. “Florida’s strong
infrastructure, diverse workforce and
global access make it the ideal location for
companies to transport their goods faster
to consumers,” said the Florida Secretary
of Commerce and President and CEO of
Enterprise Florida Bill Johnson. “Florida is
big-ship ready, and with more companies
like FedEx Express LAC investing in
Florida, our state will continue to grow
beyond its borders.”
million multilingual workers, FedEx had little
trouble filling positions. “Florida offers great
access to multicultural professionals in
different industries and sectors, benefitting
from a large pool of talent and special
To learn more about how Florida can help your business thrive, contact
Enterprise Florida, the state’s lead economic development organization,
at 877-YES-FLORIDA or visit PerfectBusinessClimate.com.