FedEx Ground's Northland facility to add about 240 jobs

Sep 27, 2008 (The Kansas City Star - McClatchy-Tribune News Service via COMTEX) -- FDX | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Sep. 27--FedEx Ground is doubling the size of its Northland facility, adding about 240 jobs at its small-package hub.

The physical size of the 236,000-square-foot distribution center at 12501 N.E. 40th St. remains the same, but Fed- Ex Ground has expanded its materials-handling capability, said Allison Sobczak, a spokeswoman at its Pittsburgh headquarters.

Sobczak said FedEx Ground is in the process of hiring more workers at the hub, particularly part-time positions for package handlers. Once the hiring is completed, the facility will have about 470 employees and independent contractors.

The expansion also will boost the capacity of the distribution center to about 130,000 packages daily from 55,000.

When it opened in late 2006, FedEx Ground said the facility should continue to grow through 2010, when it was expected to employ 800 people.

The facility is part of an expansion of the small-package carrier's network that began in 2002.

In addition to adding permanent workers, FedEx Ground also is hiring temporary employees with the approach of the holidays, its busiest time of year.

While FedEx Ground is adding some full-time positions, most of the new openings at the Northland facility are for part-time package handlers, Sobczak said. Starting hourly pay generally ranges between $10 and $11, although workers can receive three raises in the first six months, she added.

Also, part-time employees become eligible for benefits after working 1,000 hours, according to Sobczak.

Those interested in applying can call a company jobs hot line at 816-413-1120 or go to www.fedex.com/careers. Sobczak said prospective employees generally take a tour of the facility and are shown the operations before they apply.

FedEx Ground also has a distribution hub in Shawnee.

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