Airborne Express: Analysis and Recommendations Dr. Denesh Iyer Prepared by: Jeremy Lipp Yijia Liu David Marano Brittany Meglich Daniel Perko Lauren Scott Dongli Zang Executive Summary Airborne Express faces a critical time for their company, as the two “900-pound gorillas” are aiming to secure their position atop the delivery industry. As the competitive landscape of the industry begins to shift, Airborne Express has the opportunity to capitalize on making some changes in the way the company positions itself amongst its competitors. As United Parcel Service (UPS) nears the end of their strike and with the Postal Service getting closer to gaining the right to grant volume discounts, this is an opportune time for Airborne to recalibrate …show more content…
With the use of this newly developing technology Airborne can for once be ahead of the curve in logistics and efficiency. Adopt and Integrate Van Operations In addition to merging with RPS, Airborne Express must adapt and integrate current van operations. Ultimately, this would reduce costs and eliminate the threat of low‐priority packaging. Research illustrates that nearly 30% of Airborne’s stock stays on the ground, never needing to be transferred by plane. Van (or roadway) capacity is estimated as one‐ third cheaper than aircraft capacity, which contributes to Airborne’s low‐price basis. Employee efficiency also keeps costs low. On average, Airborne Express couriers pick up and deliver more packages per stop than Federal Express couriers. Employee productivity would increase and costs would remain low by the adaption of van operations because advanced technologies from RPS would be obtained. Airborne would also capture RPS’ current customer base by merging, increasing market share. The incorporation of developed Roadway fleets and Airborne’s vans will allow Airborne to accommodate and satisfy all consumers; no business customer will be of precedence to another. Van Consolidation The goal of the recommendation is to adjust RPS’s fleet of delivery vans into their current van operations strategy by releasing many of their current van drivers
One of the key decisions of Airborne Express was to target regularly shipping business customers and purposely passing over residential deliveries and infrequent shippers. Ray Berry, vice president of Field Services Administration, commented this selection of customers: “ Since we can’t be all things to all people, we pick our kind of customer deliberately.” And it
United Parcel Service, a logistics company has established itself through its strong corporate culture, continuous ability to innovate, and its far-reaching global network. The company has maintained a competitive advantage over the years by implementing continuous growth strategies—the first was geographic expansion, next the early adaptation of electronic tracking technologies, and then came a series of acquisitions. Although UPS is financially strong and is able to maintain its role in the courier and delivery industry—it is vital that UPS continue to act strategically as to strive for long-term success. UPS is heavily dependent on the U.S. economy and it is important that it find greater and more profitable ventures
The United Parcel Services share of the marketplace commands attention: -400,000 (+) employees -$51.5 billion earned 2008 -14% profit margin -90,000 vehicles and 268 jets -Operations in over 200 countries (Thomas, Linder, & Dutra, 2006). Organization has allowed UPS to operate in financial, retail, technology and nonprofit markets as well as logistics. Management Leads with the philosophy of talent cultivation through long-term employment relationships, developing committed, aligned and experienced partners. 54% of full-time drivers started as part-time. 68% of management was promoted from within. 78% of Vice-presidents once held non-management positions with UPS (Thomas et al., 2006). Controlling within UPS develops around the standard of constructive dissatisfaction, the belief that all process can be improved on and all parameters may be extended. Constructive dissatisfaction, a culture of ownership along with continual training and market awareness keep UPS a pioneer. External Factors Globalization has empowered UPS to update their strategy to synchronizing global commerce: of goods, information and funds (Thomas et al., 2006). Once a local delivery service, now UPS is recognized globally, embracing diversity with owners and customers in from every nation. Concerned with environmental impact of big business, UPS has cut carbon emissions, from airliners, 22% since 1990, and plans to cut
a) Economies of scale—the top three carriers (Federal Express, UPS, and Airborne Express) serve slightly more than 85% of the domestic express mail market. All three carriers deliver a high volume of packages, and thus, are able to spread fixed costs over more units. Also, each carrier has integrated technological systems that improved operational efficiency. In addition, intensive training programs of employees increase service and delivery efficiency.
In this report we focus on the two main competitors in the package delivery industry: Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) and United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
The purpose of this paper is to illustrate three technology opportunities associated with the transportation and logistics industry. With today’s constantly evolving business environment, consumers are placing demand on businesses of all industries, and they want products and services faster, with more added value, and delivered immediately. Nevertheless, customers are smarter by requiring more quality, innovation, and choice, and at the same time wanting to spend less money and effort. Consequently, every transportation business has to remain highly competitive in researching and developing innovative cost-cutting techniques in order to save money.
The express companies delivered tremendous amount of packages. The big three players, Federal Express, UPS, and Airborne Express, collectively delivered more than five million
In the past there was no thing as overnight express delivery for packages or freight. Then the top 3 competitors in the delivery service industry that held 85% of the market were Airborne Express (AE), United Parcel Service (UPS) and Federal Express (FedEx) and, the remaining market share was among six second-tier companies. In the past few years, the express mail businesses had grown extremely fast due to the ability to provide and fulfill overnight shipping accompanied by next-morning delivery services for both individuals and businesses customers. By 1996, this segment of the expedited shipment delivery had grown to a $16-17 billion dollar industry business in the US alone.
United Parcel Service (UPS), is the world’s largest express package delivery firm that handled more than 4.7 billion packages and documents in 2015. This global transportation and logistics service provider operates in more than 220 countries, and offers an array of supply chain management solutions (UPS Fact Sheet, n.d.). The firm has diversified its products and/or services to include freight forwarding and logistics services via air, ground, rail, and sea. U.S. Domestic Package operations, International Package operations, and Supply Chain and Freight operations are the three operating segments UPS. Through technology advancements UPS delivers online package tracking, e-commerce services, and specialized
Over time, new healthcare reform measures were causing fundamental changes in reimbursement for services to hospitals and IDNs. Consequently, healthcare providers had to establish financial stability. This opened the door for third-party logistics providers (3PLs) to establish a strong presence in the healthcare industry. 3PLs? offered solutions to mitigate transportation and supply chain expenses that streamlined the order-to-delivery process and reduced expenses.
Airborne Express the current underdog in the express mail business has been able to compete with market leaders due to innovation and optimization strategy. The company built on cutting cost and emphasizing reliability now faces pressure from the leaders UPS and FedEx to change their pricing strategy. This change from standard rate pricing to distance-based pricing puts Airborne in a dilemma in which they must choose to match the competition which will make them lose what sets them apart in the market or stay with the current strategy. Changing will increase their flexibility and could open them up to new consumers while staying the same
American achieved its largest-in-the-industry status through a mix of pioneering initiatives and aggressive expansion. It introduced first AAdvantage frequent flyer program. AAdvantage is the frequent flyer program of American Airlines. Launched May 1, 1981, it was the first such loyalty program in the world, and remains the largest with more than 50 million members as for 2005. Miles accumulated in the program allow members to redeem tickets, upgrade service class, or obtain free or discounted car rentals, hotel stays, merchandise, or other products and services through partners. The most active members, based on the amount and price of travel booked, are designated AAdvantage Gold, AAdvantage Platinum, and
Airborne Express, an air express transportation company has succeeded to compete with a few big competitors such as Federal Express and United Parcel Service (UPS) even it does not have funding as much as its competitors. In 1996, it held third position in the industry with 9 percent of the market. Even Airborne is smaller size company compared to its main competitors, it still can survive with the competitive advantage through its resources and capabilities. With some unique resources and core competences, a company may have competitive advantage over its competitors, and this is the way small capital company able to compete with its competitors.
Puddle Jumpers International Airlines is being formed in July, 1996 as a South State Corporation. Its offices will be in Anytown, Georgia. The founder of Puddle Jumpers is Kenneth D. Smith. Mr. Smith has extensive experience in consumer aviation. His bio as well as the backgrounds of all the members of Puddle Jumpers 's management team are enclosed herein.
Four organizations’ dealing with parcel delivery are deciding on taking chances to merge their systems into one harmonized working platform to enable them serve customers anywhere in the world. The organizations are namely the p-deutsche, rapid express carrier rapid Del, European express company securitel, international freight forwarding and transport specialist Dante. The stakeholders have gone into agreement to amalgamate the activities under rapid del including their systems.