The Memphis-based company now has three distinct divisions: large ground freight, ground parcels and air express--with newly integrated information systems, sales and billing.

FORBES: Start the Ground War

While big ugly conglomerates gasped for air during the 1970s, start-ups such as Federal Express, Microsoft, Apple, Genentech, Charles Schwab Corp. and Oracle were launched on the basis of cheaper technology and radically new business models.

FORBES: The Recovery Has Arrived