Kewill Expands Relationship with FedEx to Develop & Implement FedEx Return System
Kewill and FedEx solution to enable innovative FedEx Consolidated Return Service(SM)
MARLBOROUGH, Mass., June 9, 2003 — Kewill Systems plc (LSE: KWL), the leading provider of multi-carrier transportation management and supply chain execution solutions, has enhanced its technology licensing agreement first announced in September 1999 with FedEx Corporate Services Inc., a subsidiary of FedEx Corp., a premier global provider of transportation, logistics, e-commerce and supply-chain management services. Under the terms of agreement, Kewill Solutions North America has developed a returns management system for FedEx that is a web-based application enabling FedEx World Service Centers or participating FedEx Authorized Ship Center locations to process return items for the new FedEx Consolidated Return ServiceSM.
This unique and innovative new service offering is targeted to customer-direct merchants and is designed to provide a cost-effective, information intense process to more efficiently handle returns from customers. In addition to developing the web-based application, Kewill is certified by FedEx to provide integration support to merchants using the web application and will host the application from its facility in Marlborough, MA.
"Creating an efficient, cost-effective returns solution for catalog and online retailers expands the broad returns portfolio offered by FedEx, and it can improve the end-customer experience for consumers who purchase goods from catalogers and online retailers," said Henry Maier, FedEx vice president of product marketing. "Kewill`s application support for the processing of returned items at FedEx locations is a positive contribution to the effectiveness of the unique FedEx service."
The application simplifies and automates the returns process for both the merchant and the end customer through access to a network of thousands of FedEx drop-off points. By allowing the merchant to link their return shipment requirements to the drop-off location, the agent/clerk is able to process return items based on specific merchant instructions and generate a label that enables FedEx to sort the return item by final disposition at its sorting hub The application also offers multiple shipping options to accommodate more time-sensitive or larger items that do not fit the FedEx Consolidated Returns network.
Once the return has been scanned at the drop-off location, it is assigned a FedEx tracking number that can be used by the merchant and the end customer to monitor the status of their returns throughout the shipping process. The Return Merchandise Authorization number (RMA) assigned by the merchant is also linked to the shipment and can be used in tracking. Merchants can now accurately anticipate the delivery of their returns, thereby gaining control over inventory stock levels, restocking demands and the management of damaged goods. The application provides merchants with a record of their returned merchandise including whether it was returned to inventory, repaired or delivered to a secondary location, thus providing greater end-to-end visibility critical in an economy where consumers return an estimated $62 billion worth of merchandise annually in the U.S.
"To maximize profitability and remain competitive, businesses must better understand and control the growing complexity of the costly returns process," said Paul Nichols, CEO of Kewill Systems. "This innovative new application is a testament to our long standing relationship with FedEx and our community development expertise which enables us to deploy a shipping-based application across a network of locations, a role that has been core to our business and customers for 20 years."
About FedEx
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 J. D. Power and Associates 2002 Small Package Delivery Service Business Customer Satisfaction StudySM in the categories of air, ground and international delivery services.
About Kewill Systems
Since 1972, Kewill Systems has been a leading technology innovator specializing in the development and implementation of supply chain solutions for businesses of all sizes. Kewill`s experience in transportation and order management has provided businesses with Supply Chain Execution solutions that automate the fulfillment of goods and management of trading partners. Kewill has become a leader by demonstrating a proven track record in delivering superior solutions that provide flexibility, scalability and tangible ROI. Businesses including Adidas, Kia Motors, Snap-On Tools, Littlewoods, Sainsbury`s and Express Gifts use Kewill solutions to control the movement of goods and information while reducing cycle times and operating costs. For more information about Kewill, call (877) 872-2379, email ecinfo@kewill.com, or visit www.kewill.com.
For more information, please contact:
Michelle Davis
Kewill Solutions North America
(360) 254-7207
michelle.davis@kewill.com
Jim McCluskey
FedEx Media Relations
(901) 434.7764
jmmccluskey@fedex.com
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