Interview with Mariusz Mik
| Mariusz Mik was appointed Vice President Ground Operations Eastern Europe at FedEx Express Europe in December 2016. In this role, he is directly responsible for Ground Operations, which encompasses all aspects of FedEx pickup and delivery, service quality and cost improvement in 10 Eastern European countries. Mariusz joined FedEx Express in 2013 as the Managing Director of Operations in Poland. Throughout his career he has gained a wealth of operational and management experience through positions as Managing Director in the automotive, manufacturing and chemicals sectors, at both Polish and international companies. Before joining FedEx, he was Chief Operating Officer (COO) for CTL Logistics, one of the largest privately owned logistics companies operating in Central Europe. |
1. FedEx has a strong focus on Central Eastern Europe, can you please give us some insights on your actual investment program? The sheer size of the markets, their geographic location, and their rapid development potential have always made Central and Eastern Europe an essential component of European competitive advantage. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that we are expanding our presence in these markets, by investing multimillions of dollars in the region. For example, we have invested in more than 31,000m2 of ground operations facility space in Prague, Gdańsk, Riga, Cluj and Sibiu in the last two years. Furthermore, not only have we opened a number of modern facilities, but we’ve also strengthened our entire network in the region. For example, FedEx recently added several new flight points including those at Gdansk, Brno, and Timisoara airports, connecting the region to the world’s largest air cargo network. Through these investments, our customers can fulfill their domestic needs and are able to connect easily and expand into global markets. We believe that Central and Eastern Europe as a region has great potential, and we are striving to fully unlock it. 2. What makes the market in Central Eastern Europe so interesting for FedEx? While there are short-term macroeconomic and microeconomic challenges, the region has attractive long-term growth prospects that make it an ideal business location. The wide geographical spread of this region, a population of about one hundred million, a highly educated workforce, a geopolitical location, robust economies, and an infrastructure that is constantly being improved all contribute significantly to the global economy. Therefore, our approach to the region shouldn’t be surprising, given our role in facilitating global trade. We’re constantly strengthening our position here, expanding our portfolio, building new facilities, and upgrading our network capacity to serve our customers. 3. Can you share some special customer solutions that differentiate FedEx at the market? E-commerce had been steadily growing as a percentage of retail trade and the global pandemic dramatically accelerated that trend, especially in cross-border e-commerce. This, combined with a transformation of the retail landscape, means that our network has been receiving more e-commerce parcels than ever before. As a result, we’ve paid special attention in recent years to our e-commerce customers, building tailored solutions focused on balancing speed and cost for this demanding segment. FedEx International Connect Plus (FICP), an international, day-definite service is one of the solutions that keeps FedEx at the center of the e-commerce ecosystem. With competitive prices and attractive transit times, it meets the demands of customers in the rapidly growing e-commerce industry. Furthermore, the service is coupled with our customs clearance expertise, and is available to customers from Europe – including those in Central and Eastern Europe – to over 130 major markets across the globe 4. Why did you choose WOF Events as a platform to further promote your services in the CEE region? Firstly, I would like to thank you for the invitation to participate in the event. Last year we had the chance to meet in Bratislava, now we are in Prague. Both places are close to us not only because of their strategic location but most importantly due to the Czech and Slovak customers with whom we work on a daily basis there, opening up new opportunities for them all over the world. The WOF Expo is a unique platform that offers opportunities for networking in many areas, including logistics, e-commerce, and supply chain, all of which are close to the FedEx business. 5. What can your customers expect from FedEx in CEE in the coming years? For some time now, we’ve been living in a fast-paced, connected world, where we can buy and sell online, reaching new markets in the blink of an eye. It’s no longer necessary for entrepreneurs to be exclusively tied to their local markets, and we are seeing an increasing number of small and medium-sized businesses seeking opportunities in international markets. As a result, our role has evolved from being a service provider to being a partner – one that supports and guides small and medium-sized businesses through the process of trading across borders. Recently, we launched a next-day service between Europe and the United States that offers one-day faster transit time to 52 metropolitan areas in the U.S. By providing next-day delivery, businesses from the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary can compete on a par with U.S companies. Suppose you’re a Czech or Polish entrepreneur who sells products domestically and in the US. Thanks to the investments we’ve made in our network and our portfolio, you’re now able to offer your customers in the US the same opportunity to receive their shipment the next day. That way, businesses from the Czech Republic, Poland, or Hungary– whatever their size or scale – can compete with domestic businesses overseas. |
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FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenue of $95 billion, the company offers integrated business solutions through operating companies competing collectively, operating collaboratively and innovating digitally under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its nearly 550,000 employees to remain focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. FedEx is committed to connecting people and possibilities around the world responsibly and resourcefully, with a goal to achieve carbon-neutral operations by 2040. To learn more, please visit about.fedex.com.
In the Czech Republic, FedEx Express services are provided by FedEx Express Czech Republic s.r.o., which belongs to the FedEx Group.
www.fedex.com |