DHL Express

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
"DHL" redirects here. For other Deutsche Post divisions and business units using the DHL
brand, see Deutsche Post. For the honorary degree, see Doctor of Humane Letters.

DHL Express
Deutsche Post AG

Type Division

Industry Express Logistics

Founded 1969

Headquarters Bonn, Germany

Frank Appel (CEO, Chairman)

Adrian Dalsey (co-founder)
Key people
Larry Hillblom (co-founder)
Robert Lynn (co-founder)

DHL Express Worldwide

Products DHL Express 9:00
DHL Express 12:00

Owner(s) Deutsche Post DHL

Employees 500,000 (2009)

Website www.dhl.com
DHL Express is a division of Deutsche Post providing international express mail services.[1]
Originally founded in 1969 to deliver documents between San Francisco and Honolulu, the
company expanded its service throughout the world by the late 1970s. The company was
primarily interested in offshore and inter-continental deliveries, but the success of FedEx
prompted their own inter-US expansion starting in 1983. DHL aggressively expanded to
countries that could not be served by any other delivery service, including the Eastern Bloc,
Vietnam and the People's Republic of China.
In 1998, Deutsche Post began to acquire shares in DHL, finally reached majority ownership in
2001, and completed the purchase in 2002. Deutsche Post then effectively absorbed DHL into its
Express division while expanding the use of the DHL brand to other Deutsche Post divisions,
business units and subsidiaries. Today, DHL Express shares its well-known DHL brand with
other Deutsche Post business units such as DHL Global Forwarding and DHL Supply Chain.
DHL Express holds a Royal Warrant from Queen Elizabeth II.

Contents
[hide]
• 1 History
○ 1.1 Genesis
○ 1.2 Domestic expansion
○ 1.3 DP purchase
• 2 Services
• 3 Environmental record
• 4 DHL Aviation
• 5 Gallery
• 6 See also
• 7 References
• 8 External links

[edit] History
[edit] Genesis
Larry Hillblom was studying law at the University of California, Berkeley's Boalt Hall School of
Law, and had little money. He started running courier duty between San Francisco and Los
Angeles, picking up packages for the last flight of the day, and returning on the first flight the
next morning, up to five times a week.
When he graduated, Hillblom decided to go into the courier business himself. He found a niche
that no other company was filling, offering to fly bills of lading from San Francisco to Honolulu.
By flying the documents ahead of the freight they could be processed prior to vessel arrival and
save valuable time after arrival.
Hillblom put up a portion of his student loans to start the company, bringing in his two friends
Adrian Dalsey and Robert Lynn as partners, with their combined initials as the company name.
All three shared a Plymouth Duster that they drove around San Francisco to pick up the
documents in suitcases, then rushed to the airport to book flights using another relatively new
invention, the corporate credit card. As the business took off, they started hiring new couriers to
join the company. Their first hires were Max and Blanche Kroll, whose apartment in Hawaii
often became a makeshift flophouse for their couriers.
The company started expanding their service through the early 1970s, first to the Philippines,
then Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia. For lower-volume routes the company would
hire couriers on a one-off basis, trading airline tickets for the delivery. This simple expedient
would repeatedly save the company many legal hassles in the future, when would-be
investigators would take them up on the open offer and make a delivery while taking their family
on vacation. The first was when the FBI was tipped off about the groups of briefcase-carrying
young men making repeated trips to Hawaii, and when they investigated and found nothing
amiss, several agents became regular couriers for the company.[citation needed]
[edit] Domestic expansion
In the 1970s DHL was one of the only truly international delivery companies, and the only one
offering overnight service. The only major competitor in the overnight market was Federal
Express (FedEx), which didn't open its first international service until 1981, expanding to
Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Nevertheless, the domestic market was extremely profitable, and DHL
was the third largest courier behind FedEx and the UPS.
DHL turned their attention to the overnight market in the US, following the success of FedEx,
and opened a major distribution hub in Cincinnati in 1983. However, DHL was never able to
overcome FedEx's head start, capturing only 6% of the domestic market. In comparison, at the
same time they were by far the largest international carrier, with 40% of that market. By the late
1980s the domestic operations were losing money, while the foreign operations continued to
account for 2/3rds of the company's income. A European hub opened in Brussels in 1985.[citation
needed]

[edit] DP purchase
In 1998, Deutsche Post began to acquire shares in DHL, finally reached majority ownership in
2001, and completed the purchase in 2002. Deutsche Post then effectively absorbed DHL into its
Express division while expanding the use of the DHL brand to other Deutsche Post divisions,
business units and subsidiaries. Today, the DHL Express shares its well-known DHL brand with
other Deutsche Post business units such as DHL Global Forwarding, DHL Freight, DHL Supply
Chain and DHL Global Mail

This article or section may be slanted towards recent events. Please try to keep recent
events in historical perspective. (November 2008)
DHL boat in Amsterdam, carrying DHL delivery bicycles on board.

DHL advertising on the Tren de la Costa light railway, Buenos Aires

All US domestic flights were handled by DHL Airways, Inc. which in 2003 was renamed
ASTAR Air Cargo. DHL's first airline still remains with over 550 pilots in service, as of October
2008.[2]
• 2001: Deutsche Post acquired a majority (51%) of DHL's shares, and the remaining 49%
in 2002. The new DHL was launched by merging the old DHL, Danzas and Securicor
Omega Euro Express.
• 2001: The Packstation, an automated delivery booth, is introduced as a pilot project in
Dortmund and Mainz.
• 2002: Bashkirian Airlines Flight 2937, a Tupolev Tu-154 passenger jet, collided with
DHL Flight 611, a Boeing 757-200 cargo jet, at 35,000 ft (11,000 m) over Überlingen,
Germany, due to a miscommunication between the pilots of Flight 2937 and Swiss air
traffic control. The 69 people aboard the Tupolev (consisting mainly of Russian
schoolchildren) and the two pilots of the Boeing were killed.[3]
• August 2003: Deutsche Post acquires Airborne Express, and begins to integrate it into
DHL. The Airborne Express Airline named ABX Air is to provide contract ACMI service
until 2011.
• 22 November 2003: DHL shootdown incident in Baghdad: Iraqi insurgents fired an SA-7
"Grail" surface-to-air missile at a European Air Transport Airbus A300 operating on
behalf of DHL. The aircraft had taken off from Baghdad airport. The missile struck the
left wing, disabling all three hydraulic systems and setting the wing on fire. The aircraft
began a dangerous phugoid (vertical oscillation) but the crew managed to land safely at
the airport despite only being able to control the aircraft by adjusting the engine thrust.[4]
• September 2004: a planned expansion by DHL at Brussels International Airport created a
political crisis in Belgium.
• 21 October 2004: DHL Express announced that it would move its European hub from
Brussels to Leipzig, Germany (Vatry, France was considered and rejected). DHL's unions
call a strike in response, paralyzing work for a day.
• 8 November 2004: DHL Express invests €120 million in Indian domestic courier Blue
Dart and becomes the majority shareholder in the company.[5]
• September 2005: Deutsche Post made an offer to buy contract logistics company Exel
plc, which had just acquired Tibbett & Britten Group.
• On December 14, 2005, Deutsche Post announced the completion of the acquisition of
Exel plc. When integrating Exel into its Logistics division, it added its well-known DHL
brand acquired with the purchase of DHL Express to form the name DHL Exel Supply
Chain. Following the latest deal, DHL have a global workforce of 285,000 people
(500,000 people including DPWN and other sister companies) and roughly $65 billion in
annual sales.
• September 2006: DHL wins ten year contract worth £1.6 billion, to run the NHS Supply
Chain (part of the UK's National Health Service). DHL will be responsible for providing
logistics services for over 500,000 products to support 600 hospitals and other health
providers in England. As part of this new contract, in 2008 DHL will open a new 250,000
sq ft (23,000 m2) distribution centre to act as a stock holding hub for food and other
products, with another distribution centre opening in 2012. The two new distribution
centres will create around 1,000 new jobs.[6]
• September 2007: DHL Express co-founds new cargo airline AeroLogic, based at
Leipzig/Halle Airport, in a 50:50 joint venture with Lufthansa Cargo. The carrier will
operate up to 11 Boeing 777Fs by 2012.[7]
• December 2007: DHL becomes the first ever carrier to transport cargo via wind powered
ships flying MS Beluga Skysails kites.
• May 2008: DHL Aviation moved their central depot to Leipzig; Germany, resulting in a
significant positioning for improved service and timeliness to the European Union.
• 28 May 2008: DHL Express announced the restructuring plans for its United States
network, including terminating its business relationship with ABX Air and entering into a
contract with competitor UPS for air freight operations.[8] Its cargo hub would shift from
Wilmington to Louisville.[9][10] The Air Line Pilots Association, International protests.[11]
See also: Wilmington, Ohio
• October 2008: Two DHL Express Middle East senior executives, David Giles and Jason
Bresler, were assassinated in Kabul, by one of their own Afghan employees; they
received military honors by the U.S. military, the first of such kind in Afghanistan.[12]
• 10 November 2008: DHL announces that it is cutting 9,500 jobs as it discontinues
domestic air and ground operations within the United States to deal with economic
uncertainty. It is retaining international services, and is still in talks with UPS to transport
DHL packages between U.S. airports.[13]
• 30 January 2009 DHL ends domestic pick up and delivery service in the United States,
effectively leaving UPS and FedEx as the two major express parcel delivery companies
in the United States[14] Limited domestic service is still available from DHL, provided
that the packages are tendered to USPS for local delivery. NewEgg is one such company
that uses this option as of August 10, 2009.
• April 2009: UPS announced that DHL and UPS have ended negotiations for an
agreement for UPS to provide airlift for DHL packages between airports in North
America. DHL said in a statement, "We have not been able to come to a conclusive
agreement that is acceptable to both parties." DHL will continue to use its current air
cargo providers, ASTAR Air Cargo and ABX Air for now.[15]
 • On 18 March 2010 a DHL Antonov An-26 aircraft made an emergency landing on the
frozen Lake Ülemiste, close to Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport. Initial reports indicated
problems with the landing gear and one of the engines. The flight was being operated by
Exin on behalf of DHL. The aircraft involved was SP-FDO and the flight had departed
from Helsinki Airport. Two of the six crew members were injured.
[edit] Services

A Tupolev Tu-204C operated for DHL by Aviastar-TU at Sheremetyevo International Airport in

Moscow, Russia.
DHL Express's global headquarters are part of the Deutsche Post headquarters in Bonn.
Headquarters for the Americas are located in Plantation, Florida, while its Asia-Pacific and
Emerging Markets headquarters are located in Singapore. The European hub is in Leipzig.
Most of DHL Express' business is incorporated as DHL International GmbH.
Major competitors include FedEx, UPS, TNT, FCML WORLDWIDE, LDH Express and
national post carriers such as United States Postal Service and Royal Mail. However, DHL has a
minor partnership with the USPS, which allows DHL to deliver small packages to the recipient
through the USPS network. It is also the sole provider for transferring USPS mail in and out of
Iraq and Afghanistan.
DHL offers worldwide services, including deliveries to countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan and
Burma. As it is German-owned, DHL is not affected by U.S. embargoes or sanctions and will
ship to Cuba,[16] Iran and North Korea.[17] However there is strict codes for delivering to North
Korea, as the country has shaky relations with the West.[18]
As DHL is not a US company, it is not allowed to make domestic flights between U.S. airports.
DHL contracts these services to other providers.[13]
[edit] Environmental record
This section may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please
improve this section if you can. The talk page may contain suggestions. (November 2010)

In a mail delivery company, the methods of transportation may have an effect on the
environment. The amount of pollution emitted from vehicle transportation alone is a major
responsibility for DHL. The revelation of adverse affects has prompted DHL to discuss and
implement alternative options that are more conducive for the environment. Their efforts have
been outreaching in road to achieving environmentally friendly goals.[19] DHL plans to overcome
its negative environmental impacts through its operations on the ground. This is to enhance
overall efficient transportation and processes that have qualified them to reach environmental
requirements set up by governments.[20]
More intensive measures have been taken to physically control the amount of polluting by use of
the alternative fuel examples. They have changed vehicles in certain delivery fleets in
accordance to their use of newer fuel ideas. The fuel was switched to compressed natural gas
which they hope to accomplish with 50% of their vans. Through their Environmental
Management System (EMS), DHL “travels naturally”. The EMS is established to develop DHL’s
environment objectives and future.[21][dead link]
On 16 September 2005 DHL won a High Court injunction establishing an exclusion zone around
each of its 288 buildings in the UK as well as the homes of its 18,000 UK employees. The firm
has been the subject of a campaign of intimidation because of their business with Huntingdon
Life Sciences. The judge banned protesters from coming within 50 yards (46 m) of any DHL
premises or the homes of their employees as well as any organized demonstration within
100 yards (91 m) unless the police had been given four hours' notice. The injunction also protects
anyone doing business with DHL from intimidation.[22]
[edit] DHL Aviation
Main article: DHL Aviation
Deutsche Post owns four airline subsidiaries operating for DHL Express,[23] operating a total of
80 aircrafts, which are collectively referred to as DHL Aviation:
• DHL Aero Expreso, Panama City, Panama, services destinations in Central and South
America.
• DHL Air UK, Hounslow, United Kingdom, provides services for the European network
from East Midlands Airport.
• European Air Transport, Brussels Airport, Belgium, runs the European network. Its
base has been moved to Leipzig/Halle Airport.
• SNAS/DHL, Muharraq, Bahrain, provides services from Bahrain International Airport
for a wide variety of Middle East destinations, including Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan.
[edit] Gallery

•
A Deutsche Post Mail Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van using the DHL trademark

•
 A DHL Airbus A300 in Baghdad after terrorist attack

•
DHL Boat in Venice

•
The 2002 Jordan Grand Prix EJ12 F1 car carrying DHL sponsorship

•
A GMC Savana van using the DHL trademark
[edit] See also
Working at DHL

Hot Jobs

International Service Agents (Package Handlers) - Cincinnati

Join a company that’s always on the move

As the world's leading logistics provider and part of one of the ten largest employers in the
world, DHL and its parent company Deutsche Post DHL are always looking for dedicated and
talented individuals to become part of the team. If you possess high levels of initiative,
responsibility, team spirit, and are willing to embrace change, then joining us could be a great
career move for you.
 Where do you want to work?
We offer opportunities worldwide and across many different occupational areas. Where do you
want to work?

Search for jobs in the U.S. USA Job Watch or around the world DP DHL global job search.

Visit our global site http://www.dp-dhl-career.com to access career tools including:

• Calendar of recruiting events

• Career Explorer Test – find out which is the right job for you!
• MBA Internships and Competitions

A world of opportunities awaits you!

Company Portrait
Company structure, historic background and key events that shaped DHL today.
Our Organization x
Our History x
Key Dates x

DHL is Part of the World's Leading Logistics Group, Deutsche Post DHL

DHL offers integrated services and tailored, customer-focused solutions for managing and transporting letters, goods
and information.
DHL: Four Divisions – One Brand – One Provider – All Your Solutions

DHL comprises four divisions. These segments operate under the control of their own divisional headquarters. The
Group management functions are performed by the Corporate Center.

We have centralized the internal services which support the entire Group, including Finance Operations, IT and
Procurement. This consolidation enables us to increase the flexibility of our business, improve service quality and
leverage economies of scale and cost benefits.
From Humble Beginnings to Global Market Leader
Founded in San Francisco more than 40 years ago by 3 budding entrepreneurs - Adrian Dalsey, Larry Hillblom and
Robert Lynn - DHL has continued to expand at a phenomenal rate. Today, it stands tall as the global market leader of
the international express and logistics industry.

Back In 1969, DHL took its first small steps in building for the future by personally shipping papers by airplane from
San Francisco to Honolulu. The years passed and the DHL network grew ever larger, gradually reaching out to new
customers in every corner of the world. At the same time, the marketplace developed and became more complex, so
DHL adapted to meet the changing needs of its customers - both at global and local level.

Today, DHL's international network links more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. DHL also offers
unparalleled expertise in express, air and ocean freight, overland transport, contract logistics solutions as well as
international mail services.

From 1969 until today, the approach and dedication has remained the same. Our success has always been based
around delivering excellent service for our customers. Never complacent, DHL has become a brand acknowledged
for personal commitment, proactive solutions and local strength. At the heart of its success are its employees who
focus on the customer's needs and provide individually customized solutions.

DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL. The Group generated revenue of more than 46 billion euros in 2009.
Steps to Success

1969

• DHL founded by Adrian Dalsey, Larry Hillblom and Robert Lynn in San Francisco.
+
1971-1980
1971

 DHL expands its Express network rapidly and becomes a trusted partner of many companies. Expansion into the Far

East and Pacific Rim.

1972
  Services introduced in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia.

1974

 The first UK office is opened in London. Globally, DHL now has 3,052 customers and 314 staff.

1976-1978

 Expansion in three major regions as DHL launches in the Middle East, Latin America and Africa.

1977

 The first German DHL office is opened in Frankfurt.

1979

 DHL extends its services to delivering packages. Only document services had been available until now.
+
1981-1990
1983

 DHL is the first air express forwarder to serve Eastern European countries. An international distribution center (hub) is

opened in Cincinnati, USA.

1985

 A state-of-the-art hub is opened in Brussels. More than 165,000 shipments are handled each night.

1986

 DHL enters into a joint venture with the People's Republic of China and becomes the first express company active in

China.

1990

 DHL enters into strategic alliances with Lufthansa, Japan Airlines and Nissho Iwai.
+
1991-2000
1991

 DHL becomes the first international express company to restart service to Kuwait after the Gulf War.

1993

 DHL invests 60 million dollars in a new hub facility in Bahrain.

1998

 Deutsche Post becomes a shareholder in DHL.

 A major IT center is opened in Kuala Lumpur.

1999
  DHL Worldwide Express invests over 1 billion euros in a new state-of-the-art air cargo fleet in the European and

African network.

 34 new Boeing 757SF cargo planes are acquired: these planes cut noise at take off by 77 percent and CO2 emissions

by 13 percent compared to the fleet of B737Fs they replace.

+
2001-today
2002

 Deutsche Post World Net becomes the major shareholder in DHL from 1 January. A 100 percent shareholding is

completed by the end of the year.

 Network expansion in Asia: in October, DHL enters into a joint venture with Cathay Pacific for express air cargo.

 A new global IT center is opened in Scottsdale, USA.

2003

 DHL increases its share in Sinotrans to 5 percent, thereby becoming Sinotrans' largest strategic investor.

 Deutsche Post, DHL and Postbank make up the Group's current brand architecture. DHL now serves as the exclusive

brand for all express and logistics activities.

 DHL changes its corporate colors from red and white to yellow and red. In April, the worldwide visual transformation of

all vehicles, packing materials and buildings begins.

 Following the purchase of Airborne Express (2002 revenue: 3.3 billion dollars), DHL becomes the third largest express

service provider in the USA. DHL bridges the last gap in its US/American network with Airborne's overland transport

network.

 October sees the launch of a five-year investment program in China: DHL will significantly expand its capacities

through an investment of 200 million dollars.

2004

 New global IT facility opens in Prague, Czech Republic. It replaces the facility in London.

 DHL becomes the new brand for all Deutsche Post's international mail business. About 4,000 employees worldwide

work for DHL Global Mail.

 Acquisition of 68 percent stake in Blue Dart, the premium domestic courier and integrated air express package

distribution company in India.

2004/2005

 Directly after the tsunami in South Asia, DHL, with over 40 offices throughout the disaster region, responds

immediately to requests from government and aid organizations. The Group helps with free charter flights carrying
 relief supplies, land transport as well as monetary donations. DHL employees from around the world launch donation

campaigns.

 DHL Disaster Response Teams (DRT) are established, supporting the UN and the international community's disaster

response efforts in the aftermath of major sudden-onset natural disasters.

2005

 From August, DHL introduces its new corporate wear. Over the next nine months, 110,000 DHL employees in over

200 countries and territories are to be provided with new uniforms. More than 1.4 million garments will be shipped by

DHL. The design has been tested through interviews and extensive trials with 3,600 drivers and couriers.

 Deutsche Post World Net acquires Exel, the British logistics corporation, in December for 5.5 billion euros. Around

111,000 employees work for Exel in 135 countries. Exel primarily offers transport and logistics solutions for key

customers. The company concludes the first half of 2005 with a 55 percent leap in profits to 172 million pounds (251

million euros).

2007

 The DHL Innovation Center opens near Bonn. A state-of-the-art research and development center, its mission is to

develop new, highly innovative and marketable products from the logistics trends of the future. Projects are realized

via innovation partnerships within the business world and research partnerships.

2008

 DHL opens its new state-of-the-art European air hub at Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany. The hub, one of Europe's

largest construction sites, expands DHL's international network, providing greater connectivity to global growth

markets and enabling DHL to improve its overall customer service.

2009

 The Group presents its Strategy 2015 and is renamed as Deutsche Post DHL.

 Strategy 2015' s vision is to make DHL "The Logistics Company for the World" through respect and results, simplifying

customers' lives and providing a positive contribution to the world.

 A new organizational unit called 'DHL Solutions & Innovation' is established as the driver for innovative logistics

solutions.

From Humble Beginnings to Global Market Leader

Founded in San Francisco more than 40 years ago by 3 budding entrepreneurs - Adrian Dalsey, Larry Hillblom and
Robert Lynn - DHL has continued to expand at a phenomenal rate. Today, it stands tall as the global market leader of
the international express and logistics industry.

Back In 1969, DHL took its first small steps in building for the future by personally shipping papers by airplane from
San Francisco to Honolulu. The years passed and the DHL network grew ever larger, gradually reaching out to new
customers in every corner of the world. At the same time, the marketplace developed and became more complex, so
DHL adapted to meet the changing needs of its customers - both at global and local level.

Today, DHL's international network links more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. DHL also offers
unparalleled expertise in express, air and ocean freight, overland transport, contract logistics solutions as well as
international mail services.

From 1969 until today, the approach and dedication has remained the same. Our success has always been based
around delivering excellent service for our customers. Never complacent, DHL has become a brand acknowledged
for personal commitment, proactive solutions and local strength. At the heart of its success are its employees who
focus on the customer's needs and provide individually customized solutions.

DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL. The Group generated revenue of more than 46 billion euros in 2009.
2002

 Deutsche Post World Net becomes the major shareholder in DHL from 1 January. A 100 percent shareholding is

completed by the end of the year.

 Network expansion in Asia: in October, DHL enters into a joint venture with Cathay Pacific for express air cargo.

 A new global IT center is opened in Scottsdale, USA.

2003

 DHL increases its share in Sinotrans to 5 percent, thereby becoming Sinotrans' largest strategic investor.
  Deutsche Post, DHL and Postbank make up the Group's current brand architecture. DHL now serves as the exclusive

brand for all express and logistics activities.

 DHL changes its corporate colors from red and white to yellow and red. In April, the worldwide visual transformation of

all vehicles, packing materials and buildings begins.

 Following the purchase of Airborne Express (2002 revenue: 3.3 billion dollars), DHL becomes the third largest express

service provider in the USA. DHL bridges the last gap in its US/American network with Airborne's overland transport

network.

 October sees the launch of a five-year investment program in China: DHL will significantly expand its capacities

through an investment of 200 million dollars.

2004

 New global IT facility opens in Prague, Czech Republic. It replaces the facility in London.

 DHL becomes the new brand for all Deutsche Post's international mail business. About 4,000 employees worldwide

work for DHL Global Mail.

 Acquisition of 68 percent stake in Blue Dart, the premium domestic courier and integrated air express package

distribution company in India.

2004/2005

 Directly after the tsunami in South Asia, DHL, with over 40 offices throughout the disaster region, responds

immediately to requests from government and aid organizations. The Group helps with free charter flights carrying

relief supplies, land transport as well as monetary donations. DHL employees from around the world launch donation

campaigns.

 DHL Disaster Response Teams (DRT) are established, supporting the UN and the international community's disaster

response efforts in the aftermath of major sudden-onset natural disasters.

2005

 From August, DHL introduces its new corporate wear. Over the next nine months, 110,000 DHL employees in over

200 countries and territories are to be provided with new uniforms. More than 1.4 million garments will be shipped by

DHL. The design has been tested through interviews and extensive trials with 3,600 drivers and couriers.

 Deutsche Post World Net acquires Exel, the British logistics corporation, in December for 5.5 billion euros. Around

111,000 employees work for Exel in 135 countries. Exel primarily offers transport and logistics solutions for key

customers. The company concludes the first half of 2005 with a 55 percent leap in profits to 172 million pounds (251

million euros).

2007
  The DHL Innovation Center opens near Bonn. A state-of-the-art research and development center, its mission is to

develop new, highly innovative and marketable products from the logistics trends of the future. Projects are realized

via innovation partnerships within the business world and research partnerships.

2008

 DHL opens its new state-of-the-art European air hub at Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany. The hub, one of Europe's

largest construction sites, expands DHL's international network, providing greater connectivity to global growth

markets and enabling DHL to improve its overall customer service.

2009

 The Group presents its Strategy 2015 and is renamed as Deutsche Post DHL.

 Strategy 2015' s vision is to make DHL "The Logistics Company for the World" through respect and results, simplifying

customers' lives and providing a positive contribution to the world.

 A new organizational unit called 'DHL Solutions & Innovation' is established as the driver for innovative logistics

solutions.

 EXPRESS Division
 DHL Express is the global market leader in the international express business.
 Overview x
 Facts & Figures x
 Aviations x


 “The express sector is one of the major drivers of global trade and we are excellently positioned to

capitalize on this through our services which meet our customers’ domestic and international transport
requirements, anywhere around the world.
I take great pride in our 100,000 employees around the world who work tirelessly to deliver against our
promise.
At DHL Express, we have created an environment where people enjoy working together, and one that
fosters our personal relationships with our customers and overall company success.”

Ken Allen, CEO EXPRESS

  Through a network spanning more than 220 countries and territories and more than 120,000 destinations
(major zip code areas), we provide courier and express services to business and private customers.
Whether it is documents or parcels, Same Day, Time Definite or Day Definite delivery, DHL Express has
the service you are looking for.
 Access DHL Express Services
 Contact DHL Express
 Express Press Releases

 DHL Express: Get a Quote

Steps to Success

1969

• DHL founded by Adrian Dalsey, Larry Hillblom and Robert Lynn in San Francisco.
+
1971-1980
1971

 DHL expands its Express network rapidly and becomes a trusted partner of many companies. Expansion into the Far

East and Pacific Rim.

1972

 Services introduced in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia.

1974

 The first UK office is opened in London. Globally, DHL now has 3,052 customers and 314 staff.

1976-1978

 Expansion in three major regions as DHL launches in the Middle East, Latin America and Africa.

1977

 The first German DHL office is opened in Frankfurt.

1979

 DHL extends its services to delivering packages. Only document services had been available until now.
+
1981-1990
1983

 DHL is the first air express forwarder to serve Eastern European countries. An international distribution center (hub) is

opened in Cincinnati, USA.

1985

 A state-of-the-art hub is opened in Brussels. More than 165,000 shipments are handled each night.
1986

 DHL enters into a joint venture with the People's Republic of China and becomes the first express company active in

China.

1990

 DHL enters into strategic alliances with Lufthansa, Japan Airlines and Nissho Iwai.
+
1991-2000
1991

 DHL becomes the first international express company to restart service to Kuwait after the Gulf War.

1993

 DHL invests 60 million dollars in a new hub facility in Bahrain.

1998

 Deutsche Post becomes a shareholder in DHL.

 A major IT center is opened in Kuala Lumpur.

1999

 DHL Worldwide Express invests over 1 billion euros in a new state-of-the-art air cargo fleet in the European and

African network.

 34 new Boeing 757SF cargo planes are acquired: these planes cut noise at take off by 77 percent and CO2 emissions

by 13 percent compared to the fleet of B737Fs they replace.

+
2001-today
2002

 Deutsche Post World Net becomes the major shareholder in DHL from 1 January. A 100 percent shareholding is

completed by the end of the year.

 Network expansion in Asia: in October, DHL enters into a joint venture with Cathay Pacific for express air cargo.

 A new global IT center is opened in Scottsdale, USA.

2003

 DHL increases its share in Sinotrans to 5 percent, thereby becoming Sinotrans' largest strategic investor.

 Deutsche Post, DHL and Postbank make up the Group's current brand architecture. DHL now serves as the exclusive

brand for all express and logistics activities.

 DHL changes its corporate colors from red and white to yellow and red. In April, the worldwide visual transformation of

all vehicles, packing materials and buildings begins.

  Following the purchase of Airborne Express (2002 revenue: 3.3 billion dollars), DHL becomes the third largest express

service provider in the USA. DHL bridges the last gap in its US/American network with Airborne's overland transport

network.

 October sees the launch of a five-year investment program in China: DHL will significantly expand its capacities

through an investment of 200 million dollars.

2004

 New global IT facility opens in Prague, Czech Republic. It replaces the facility in London.

 DHL becomes the new brand for all Deutsche Post's international mail business. About 4,000 employees worldwide

work for DHL Global Mail.

 Acquisition of 68 percent stake in Blue Dart, the premium domestic courier and integrated air express package

distribution company in India.

2004/2005

 Directly after the tsunami in South Asia, DHL, with over 40 offices throughout the disaster region, responds

immediately to requests from government and aid organizations. The Group helps with free charter flights carrying

relief supplies, land transport as well as monetary donations. DHL employees from around the world launch donation

campaigns.

 DHL Disaster Response Teams (DRT) are established, supporting the UN and the international community's disaster

response efforts in the aftermath of major sudden-onset natural disasters.

2005

 From August, DHL introduces its new corporate wear. Over the next nine months, 110,000 DHL employees in over

200 countries and territories are to be provided with new uniforms. More than 1.4 million garments will be shipped by

DHL. The design has been tested through interviews and extensive trials with 3,600 drivers and couriers.

 Deutsche Post World Net acquires Exel, the British logistics corporation, in December for 5.5 billion euros. Around

111,000 employees work for Exel in 135 countries. Exel primarily offers transport and logistics solutions for key

customers. The company concludes the first half of 2005 with a 55 percent leap in profits to 172 million pounds (251

million euros).

2007

 The DHL Innovation Center opens near Bonn. A state-of-the-art research and development center, its mission is to

develop new, highly innovative and marketable products from the logistics trends of the future. Projects are realized

via innovation partnerships within the business world and research partnerships.

2008
  DHL opens its new state-of-the-art European air hub at Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany. The hub, one of Europe's

largest construction sites, expands DHL's international network, providing greater connectivity to global growth

markets and enabling DHL to improve its overall customer service.

2009

 The Group presents its Strategy 2015 and is renamed as Deutsche Post DHL.

 Strategy 2015' s vision is to make DHL "The Logistics Company for the World" through respect and results, simplifying

customers' lives and providing a positive contribution to the world.

 A new organizational unit called 'DHL Solutions & Innovation' is established as the driver for innovative logistics

solutions.