FedEx vs Samsung: Founders, CEOs and History
FedEx was founded in 1971 by Frederick W. Smith and is led by Raj Subramaniam. Samsung was founded in 1969 by Lee Byung-chul and is led by Jun Young-hyun and Roh Tae-moon.
Company facts
Founders
FedEx
Frederick W. Smith
Frederick W. Smith founded Federal Express in 1971 and ran it for more than 50 years, building the hub-and-spoke overnight delivery model now used across the express industry.
Samsung
Lee Byung-chul
Lee Byung-chul founded Samsung Sanghoe in Daegu in 1938, trading dried fish, produce and noodles.
CEOs and their tenures
FedEx
- Frederick W. Smith1971–2025
Founder, Chief Executive Officer (1971-2022) and Executive Chairman (2022-2025)
He invented the modern overnight express delivery industry, building FedEx from a Yale University term paper into a massive global logistics empire before retiring as CEO in 2022.
Source - Raj Subramaniam2022–present
President and Chief Executive Officer
Under Subramaniam, FedEx revenue rose from $87.693 billion in FY2024 to $94.720 billion in FY2026, the company merged its operating companies into Federal Express, rolled out Network 2.0, and completed the June 2026 FedEx Freight spin-off.
Source - R. Brad Martin2025–present
Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board
As Chairman of the Board, he oversees the ongoing multi-billion dollar cost-cutting initiatives designed to close the operating margin gap with rival UPS.
Source
Samsung
- Jong-Hee Han2022–2025
Vice Chairman and CEO
A longtime TV business leader who helped keep Samsung the top global TV brand. He died suddenly in March 2025 while in office.
Source - Jay Y. Lee2022–present
Executive Chairman
Grandson of the founder and son of Lee Kun-hee. He was convicted in the 2017 bribery case and pardoned in 2022, and became Executive Chairman in October 2022. In 2025 the Supreme Court upheld his acquittal in the separate merger and accounting fraud case.
Source - Jun Young-hyun2024–present
Vice Chairman, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Head of Device Solutions
He implemented a complete overhaul of the semiconductor division's engineering processes, issuing a rare public apology in 2024 for the company's technological delays.
Source - Roh Tae-moon (TM Roh)2025–present
Co-Chief Executive Officer, Head of Device eXperience
As head of the MX (Mobile eXperience) division, he heavily integrated AI features (Galaxy AI) into the S-series flagship phones to combat Apple's dominance in the premium tier.
Source
Timeline: FedEx and Samsung side by side
1938Samsung
Samsung Group begins
Lee Byung-chul founded Samsung as a trading company before later generations expanded the group into electronics and industry.
1969Samsung
Samsung Electronics established
Samsung Electronics Industry Co. Ltd. was established as the group entered electronics manufacturing.
1971FedEx
Federal Express Founded
Frederick W. Smith incorporates Federal Express Corporation, planning to build an overnight air-delivery network around a central Memphis hub.
1973FedEx
Commercial Operations Begin
Federal Express begins commercial service from Memphis using a hub-and-spoke overnight model, surviving early near-bankruptcy on fuel costs.
1977Samsung
Korea Semiconductor acquired
Samsung acquired Korea Semiconductor, a key step toward memory and component manufacturing leadership.
1978FedEx
FedEx Goes Public
The company completes its initial public offering to finance network expansion.
1993Samsung
New Management initiative
Lee Kun-hee launched the New Management push to raise quality, design, and global competitiveness.
1998FedEx
Caliber System Acquisition
FedEx acquires Caliber System for about $2.4 billion, adding the assets that become FedEx Ground and FedEx Freight.
2004FedEx
Acquired Kinko's
FedEx acquired Kinko's for $2.4 billion. FedEx bought Kinko's for about $2.4 billion and rebranded the stores as FedEx Office.
2016FedEx
TNT Express Acquisition
FedEx acquires TNT Express for about $4.4 billion to expand its European and international express network.
2017Samsung
Harman acquisition closes
Samsung completed the Harman acquisition, expanding into connected car systems and premium audio.
2022FedEx
Raj Subramaniam Becomes CEO
Raj Subramaniam succeeds founder Frederick W. Smith as CEO, becoming only the second CEO in FedEx history, and launches the DRIVE and Network 2.0 transformation programs.
2022Samsung
Jong-Hee Han becomes CEO
Jong-Hee Han became CEO of Samsung Electronics Co. in 2022. A longtime TV business leader who helped keep Samsung the top global TV brand.
2024Samsung
Jun Young-hyun becomes CEO
Jun Young-hyun became CEO of Samsung Electronics Co. in 2024. Head of the semiconductor (Device Solutions) division and memory business; sole CEO for part of 2025 after Han Jong-hee's death, then co-CEO with TM Roh from November 2025.
2025FedEx
Founder Fred Smith Dies
Frederick W. Smith dies on June 21, 2025. Longtime director R. Brad Martin becomes chairman and later executive chairman.
2025Samsung
TM Roh joins Young Hyun Jun as co-CEO
Samsung named TM Roh Head of Device eXperience and CEO, joining Young Hyun Jun as co-CEO.
2025Samsung
Annual revenue reaches ~$237B (KRW 333.6T)
Samsung Electronics reported ~$237 billion (KRW 333.6 trillion) in 2025 annual revenue and ~$31 billion (KRW 43.6 trillion) in operating profit.
2025Samsung
Roh Tae-moon (TM Roh) becomes CEO
Roh Tae-moon (TM Roh) became CEO of Samsung Electronics Co. in 2025. Longtime head of the mobile business.
2026FedEx
FedEx Freight Spin-Off Completed
On June 1, 2026 FedEx completes the spin-off of FedEx Freight Holding Company, which begins trading on the NYSE as FDXF.
2026FedEx
FY2026 Revenue Reaches $94.7B
FedEx reports $94.720 billion in FY2026 revenue, $4.433 billion in net income, and capex of 4.0% of revenue, a record low ratio.
Acquisitions
FedEx
- ShopRunner2020Undisclosed
- TNT Express2016$4.4B
- Kinko's2004$2.4B
- Parcel Direct2004Undisclosed
- American Freightways2001Undisclosed
- Caliber System1998$2.4B
Samsung
- FlaktGroup2025$1.7B
- Xealth2025Undisclosed
- Harman International2017$8B
- SmartThings2014$200M
Questions about FedEx vs Samsung
Who is the CEO of FedEx Corporation and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.?
FedEx Corporation is led by Raj Subramaniam and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is led by Jun Young-hyun and Roh Tae-moon. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was FedEx Corporation founded vs Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.?
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. was founded in 1969 — 2 years before FedEx Corporation, which was founded in 1971. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.'s longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger FedEx Corporation.
How many employees does FedEx Corporation have compared to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.?
FedEx Corporation employs approximately 529,000 people, while Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. employs approximately 259,149. FedEx Corporation has the larger workforce at 529,000 employees, compared to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.'s 259,149. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are FedEx Corporation and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. headquartered?
FedEx Corporation is headquartered in United States and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is headquartered in South Korea. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded FedEx Corporation and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.?
FedEx Corporation was founded by Frederick W. Smith. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. was founded by Lee Byung-chul.
Which company has a longer operating history — FedEx Corporation or Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.?
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has been operating for approximately 57 years, making it the more established of the two companies. FedEx Corporation has been in operation for around 55 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the FedEx vs Samsung overview