“Obviously, for samples and documentation, the shipping services are a very important business tool. In terms of merchandise, we’ve seen an enormous amount of flexibility between these companies and regular ground transportation. In other words, they are playing a very important role. Ten years ago, you used trucking companies to get the merchandise out. Today, the line is fuzzy because people like UPS have programs that are very competitive. We have more choices now because of this industry.”
Charles Woo
Owner
Mega-Toys
“There was once a point when my clients didn’t need it immediately, and we’d send them the photographs through regular mail. But things need to be done faster these days in the creative community. Being able to overnight, or two-day-ship something is now absolutely essential. But even these shipping companies might become part of the past. We’re doing more and more transactions right through the Internet that might be the future.”
Craig Aurness
President
Westlight Stock Photography
“Technology when you are talking about hardware and software is an industry that relies on services like FedEx more than anything. Let’s say someone breaks their computer they ship it to the manufacturer, who then figures out what the problem is. The (manufacturer) then calls vendors like us to ship them supplies, like a cable. Then the computer is shipped back to the customer. It’s one big circle that relies on the ability to overnight a package. It’s vital for us.”
Chet Pipkin
Belkin Components Inc.
“We are enormous shippers of overnight materials because our primary business is placing advertising for radio, print and television around the nation. This is the kind of industry where you work right up to deadline, and need the luxury of getting something delivered fast. The No. 1 thing we take for granted in the era of modern technology is overnight services we all sort of believe the old FexEx message about ‘When it absolutely, positively has to get there.'”
Bruce Silverman
President
Western International Media, Advocacy Division
