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The Express Mail Industry Analysis

The express mail industry has expanded tremendously in recent years. Businesses and individuals spent $16-17 billion on expedited shipments within the United States in 1996. The main reason of the evolution of express mail industry is urgency, which includes urgent documents, parcels and perishable good. Business cycle became faster, and customers demand to fast delivery expanded. By increasing demand, express companies offer diverse services: overnight shipping, next-afternoon delivery, second-day service, same-day, and early next morning delivery. Not only delivery were proliferated, but also delivery service itself was advanced. Now customer can track their shipments and get guarantee on time service. These conveniences also affected how express mail industry evolved. The volume of shipping has increased to 15-20% per year for the past decade. However, total revenue of express mail industry increased only 10-15% because of falling price.

Among many express mail companies, Federal Express, UPS, and Airborne Express (The big three) served more than 85% of the market share. Because of an investment in physical, information, and human assets, the big three delivered more than 5 million packages each day, and arrived on time over 98%. Even though each company had different operational structure, their basic infrastructures and activity were the same. They used large fleet of vans and drivers, and collected packages from customers. Drivers used a handheld computer in order to enhance efficiency: scanning data and tracking the package’s progress. Then, packages are transported by airplane to hub airports, in which the package were sorted according to their final destination. Express mail companies also devoted to customer service. They offered customers schedule a pickup, track packages, and obtain rate information. Express email

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