By Maria Kalamatas
Memphis, TN —
In a bold move to streamline operations and protect margins amid economic headwinds, FedEx Corporation announced the closure of two major regional hubs and the reallocation of $1.2 billion toward AI-powered logistics systems. The decision, revealed during its Q4 strategy call on May 3, is part of what CEO Raj Subramaniam called a “multi-year digital transformation roadmap.”
The closures will affect facilities in Newark, NJ, and Oakland, CA, both historically vital to FedEx’s overnight and two-day parcel network. Operations from those hubs will be redistributed to larger facilities in Indianapolis and Dallas-Fort Worth, where automation capacity has been expanded by 45% since 2023.
Margins before momentum
“We are optimizing for profitability—not just volume,” Subramaniam told investors. “It’s not about flying every package overnight anymore. It’s about smarter, more predictive fulfillment aligned with what the customer actually needs.”
The restructuring is projected to boost operating margin from 7.2% to 9.1% by fiscal year-end 2026, according to internal forecasts.
Digital backbone: AI, route optimization, and predictive analytics
A cornerstone of this shift is the rollout of RouteMax, FedEx’s new AI engine developed in partnership with Microsoft Azure, which will now manage dynamic route assignment, labor scheduling, and package sorting across 80% of its U.S. volume.
According to CIO Kenna Hicks, “We’ve already reduced manual sorting times by 28% at pilot sites and cut down late deliveries by 17%. That’s not just tech—it’s customer impact.”
Labor impact and redeployment
FedEx emphasized that no permanent layoffs are planned. Instead, 2,400 affected employees will be offered relocation packages, retraining in digital operations, or early retirement options. The company also launched a $30 million workforce transition fund in partnership with local governments and trade unions.
Teamsters representative Joe Martinez welcomed the plan “with cautious optimism,” noting that “real retraining—not PR—is what matters now.”
Customer feedback: faster isn’t always better
Interestingly, FedEx’s move comes as retailers recalibrate delivery expectations. A 2025 survey by the National Retail Federation found that 68% of consumers prioritize accuracy and sustainability over speed.
“As long as we know when it’s coming and it comes on time, we’re happy,” said Ellie Taylor, supply chain manager at a mid-sized e-commerce brand in Austin, TX. “FedEx’s new model aligns more closely with real-world demand.”
