FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AKRON, Ohio, (July 21, 2003) – – FedEx Custom Critical, Inc., North America’s largest provider of expedited time-critical shipments recently honored 50 of its top contractors with the 2003 Four Star Award. The award recognizes independent contractors who exemplify the company’s dedication to superior customer service and safe driving. These contractors lease their vehicles to the company as owner operators.

This is the fourth year for the Four Star Award. Owner operators who qualify for the distinction must meet the Four Star criteria for the fiscal year, including accident-free driving, on-time service, availability and load acceptance. FedEx Custom Critical actually had more than 300 owner operators who qualified as finalists for the award. The final 50 winners were then determined by the greatest number of shipments completed during the year. 

All of the winners and their spouses or guests were treated to three nights at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton® Hotel in Cleveland, Ohio, for a weekend in their honor. The weekend’s celebration included a “Casino Night Dinner” with the FedEx Custom Critical executive team aboard a cruise on Lake Erie. The festivities were also highlighted by a gala event, featuring dinner and the formal presentation of the awards. 

“We want our contractors to know how much we appreciate their efforts to operate safely, while providing the best customer service in the expedited transportation industry,” said 

Scott McCahan, senior manager of Contractor Relations and Safety. “Our company was built on superior customer satisfaction and on-time deliveries. These contractors take that mission to heart and deliver those promises to our customers each and every day. The Four Star weekend is definitely in their honor to recognize that hard work throughout the year.” 

About FedEx Custom Critical
FedEx Custom Critical provides exclusive-use, time-specific shipment services throughout the U.S. and Canada and within Europe. Among its divisions are Surface Expedite, for nonstop, door-to-door transport of critical shipments; White Glove Services®, for shipments that require special care in handling; and Air Expedite, which offers an array of air solutions to meet customers’ critical delivery times.

About FedEx Corp.
With annual revenues of $22 billion, FedEx Corp. is the premier global provider of transportation, e-commerce and supply chain management services. The company offers integrated business solutions through a network of subsidiaries operating independently, including: FedEx Express, the world's largest express transportation company; FedEx Ground, North America's second largest provider of small-package ground delivery service; FedEx Freight, the largest U.S. provider of regional less-than-truckload freight services; FedEx Custom Critical, North America's largest provider of expedited time-critical shipments; and FedEx Trade Networks, North America's largest customs broker and a provider of international freight forwarding and trade facilitation services. FedEx ranked highest in the J. D. Power and Associates 2002 Small Package Delivery Service Business Customer Satisfaction StudySM in the categories of air, ground and international delivery services.