 | |
| Company type | Subsidiary[1] |
|---|---|
| Industry | Courier |
| Founded | September 25, 1969; 56 years ago (1969-09-25) inSan Francisco, California, United States |
| Founders | Adrian Dalsey Larry Hillblom Robert Lynn |
| Headquarters | Bonn, Germany |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Tobias Meyer (CEO)[2] |
| Products | DHL Express Worldwide DHL Express 9:00 DHL Express 10:30 DHL Express 12:00 |
| Services | Package delivery Express mail Freight forwarding Third-party logistics |
| Revenue |  €84.186 billion (2024)[3] |
Number of employees |  580,580 (Q1 2025)[4] |
| Parent | DHL Group |
| Website | dhl.com |
DHL (originally named after foundersDalsey,Hillblom andLynn) is a multinationallogistics company, founded in theUnited States and headquartered inBonn, Germany.[5] It providescourier,package delivery, andexpress mail service, delivering over 1.7 billion parcels per year.[6] Asubsidiary and the namesake ofDHL Group, its express mail serviceDHL Express is one of the market leaders for parcel services in Europe. DHL also operates a separate parcel service targeting the German consumer market in conjunction withDeutsche Post.
The company DHL itself was founded inSan Francisco, California, in 1969 and expanded its service throughout the world by the late 1970s.[7]
The company was primarily interested in offshore and intercontinental deliveries, but the success ofFedEx prompted DHL's own domestic (intra-US) expansion starting in 1983. In 1998,Deutsche Post began to acquire shares in DHL. It reached controlling interest in 2001, and acquired all outstanding shares by December 2002.[8] The company then 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 DHL brand with business units such asDHL Global Forwarding andDHL Supply Chain.[9] It gained a foothold in the United States when it acquiredAirborne Express in 2003.
WhileLarry Hillblom was studying law atUniversity of California, Berkeley'sBoalt Hall School of Law in the late 1960s, he accepted a job as a courier for the insurance company Michael's, Poe & Associates (MPA). He started running courier duty betweenOakland International Airport andLos Angeles International Airport, 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.[10]: 12
After he graduated, Hillblom met with MPA salesmanAdrian Dalsey and they planned to expand MPA's concept of fast delivery to other business enterprises. They flew betweenHonolulu andSan Francisco, transportingbills of lading for their first client,Seatrain Lines.[10]: 17
Hillblom put up a portion of his student loans to start the company, bringing in his two friendsAdrian Dalsey andRobert Lynn as partners, with the combined initials of their surnames as the company name (DHL).[7] They shared aPlymouth 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 makeshiftflophouse for their couriers.
In the 1970s, DHL became an international delivery company, similar to Loomis andPurolator who were the only other international courier companies at the time. In 1979, under the name ofDHL Air Cargo, the company entered theHawaiian Islands with an inter-island cargo service using twoDouglas DC-3 and fourDC-6 aircraft.Adrian Dalsey andLarry Hillblom personally oversaw the daily operations until its eventual bankruptcy closed the doors in 1983. At its peak,DHL Air Cargo employed just over 100 workers, management and pilots.
The only major competitor in the overnight market wasFederal Express (FedEx), which did not open its first international service until 1981, expanding toToronto, Ontario, Canada. Nevertheless, the domestic market was extremely profitable, and DHL was the third largest courier behind FedEx andUPS.
Deutsche Post began to acquireshares in DHL in 1998, acquiring a controlling interest in 2001. By the end of 2002, Deutsche Post had acquired all of DHL's remaining stock (the remaining 49%), and absorbed the operation into its Express division.[8] The DHL brand was expanded to other Deutsche Post divisions, business units and subsidiaries. Today, DHL Express shares its DHL brand with other Deutsche Post business units, such asDHL Global Forwarding,DHL Freight,DHL Supply Chain, andDHL Global Mail. In 1999,Deutsche Post World Net (DPWN) purchased theDutch shipping companyVan Gend & Loos as well as Swiss freight forwarderDanzas.[citation needed] The new DHL was launched by merging the old DHL, Danzas, and Securicor Omega Euro Express.[11] ThePackstation, an automated delivery booth, was introduced as a pilot project in Dortmund and Mainz.[12]
DHL Airways, Inc., which handled all US domestic flights, was renamedASTAR Air Cargo in 2003, following amanagement buyout. DHL's airline had over 550 pilots in service in October 2008.[13] In August 2003, Deutsche Post acquiredAirborne Express and began its integration into DHL.
A planned expansion by DHL atBrussels Airport created a political crisis in Belgium in 2004.[14] On 21 October 2004, DHL Express announced that it planned to move its European hub from Brussels toLeipzig, Germany (Vatry, France, was also considered but rejected).[citation needed] DHL'sunions called a strike in response and paralyzed work for a day.[15]
On 8 November 2004, DHL Express invested €120 million in an Indian domestic courier,Blue Dart, becoming the majority shareholder in the company.[16]
In 2005, Deutsche Post made an offer to buy the contract logistics companyExel plc, which had just acquiredTibbett & Britten Group. On 14 December 2005, Deutsche Post announced the completion of the acquisition of Exel. DHL integrated Exel into its logistics division, rebranding the division's services asDHL Exel Supply Chain. Following that acquisition, DHL had a global workforce of 285,000 people (500,000 people including DPWN and other sister companies) and roughly $65 billion in annual sales.
In 2006, DHL won a ten-year contract worth £1.6 billion to run theNHS Supply Chain, part of the United Kingdom'sNational Health Service. Under the contract, DHL was responsible for providing logistics services for over 500,000 products to support 600 hospitals and other health providers in the UK.
In a 50/50 joint venture withLufthansa Cargo, DHL Express co-founded a new cargo airline,AeroLogic, in 2007, based atLeipzig/Halle Airport. The carrier operated up to 11Boeing 777F planes by 2012.[17] In December 2007, DHL became the first carrier to transport cargo via wind-powered ships, flyingMS Beluga Skysails kites.
As part of the NHS contract, DHL opened a new 250,000 sq ft (23,000 m2) distribution centre[where?] in 2008 to act as a stock-holding hub for food and other products, with another distribution centre planned for opening in 2012. The two new distribution centres created about 1,000 new jobs.[18]
In May 2008,DHL Aviation moved its European hub fromBrussels Airport to Leipzig/Halle, leading to a significant increase in cargo traffic at the airport.[citation needed] In the same month, DHL Express announced restructuring plans for its United States network, including termination of its business relationship withABX Air and a new contract with competitorUPS for air freight operations.[19] Its cargo hub was also shifted from Wilmington to Louisville.[20][21] TheAir Line Pilots Association, International protested,[22] but on 10 November 2008, DHL announced that it was cutting 9,500 jobs as it discontinued domestic air and ground operations within the United States due to economic uncertainty. However, it retained international services and was still in talks with UPS to transport DHL packages between U.S. airports.[23]
In 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 from the U.S. military, the first of such kind in Afghanistan.[24]
DHL ended domestic pickup and delivery service in the United States in 2009, effectively leaving UPS and FedEx as the two major express parcel delivery companies in the US.[25] Limited domestic service was still available from DHL, with the packages tendered toUSPS for local delivery. In April 2009, UPS announced that DHL and UPS had terminated negotiations without 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 continued to use its current air cargo providers, ASTAR Air Cargo and ABX Air.[26]
The company sold its UKB2B andB2C domestic parcel operations in 2010 to British delivery company Home Delivery Network,[27] since renamedYodel.[28]
In 2013, the company opened a newly expanded and upgraded global hub at theCincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport inHebron, Kentucky.[29] On 1 November 2013, it sold its UK domestic same-day operations to British courierRico Logistics[30] but continued to offer time and day definite domestic services as well as international services in the UK.[31]
In late 2020, DHL entered agreements to deliver theCOVID-19vaccine manufactured by BioNTech and Pfizer.[32]
In March 2021,DHL Aviation announced the relocation of hub operations from Bergamo toMilan Malpensa Airport where DHL opened new logistics facilities.[33]
In October 2021, DHL said that it would raise its rates for customers in the United States by an average of 5.9 percent, starting on January 1, 2022.[34]
In March 2025, it acquiredPackfleet, a UK-based, carbon-neutral parcel courier headquartered inLondon, England.[35] Packfleet was founded in 2021 by three earlyMonzo employees, Tristan Thomas, Hugo Cornejo and Josh Garnham.[36] Packfleet was launched as an alternative to traditional parcel couriers likeDPD andEvri, combining an all-electric delivery fleet with a purpose-built technology platform.[37][38][39] Packfleet has raised over $21m of investment from General Catalyst, Entree Capital, Creandum, Voyager and Monzo FounderTom Blomfield, among others.[40][41][42]
In April 2025, DHL Express announced it would be suspending all consumer deliveries to the US, worth more than $800, due to newUS customs rules. All business-to-business shipments would continue but may face delays.[43]
In May 2025, DHL announced that its UK parcel delivery business was set merge withEvri to create a combined courier firm. Evri said the deal will also expand its international delivery capacity by giving it access to DHL's global network. DHL's e-commerce business will be renamed "Evri Premium – a network of DHL eCommerce".[44]
DHL Express's global headquarters are part of the Deutsche Post headquarters inBonn. Headquarters forNorth America are located inGuadalajara, Mexico, andPlantation, Florida, while its Asia–Pacific and emerging markets headquarters are located inSingapore,Malaysia,Hong Kong, andmainland China. The European hub is inLeipzig, Germany. Most of DHL Express's business is incorporated as DHL International GmbH.
Major competitors includeFedEx,UPS, and national post carriers such asUnited States Postal Service (USPS) andRoyal Mail. However, DHL has a minor partnership with the USPS, which allows DHL to deliver small packages to the recipient through the USPS network known as DHL Global Mail, now known as DHL eCommerce. It is also the sole provider for transferring USPS mail in and out ofIraq andAfghanistan.
DHL offers worldwide services, including deliveries to countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan andMyanmar (formerly Burma). As it is German-owned, DHL is not affected by U.S.embargoes or sanctions and will ship toCuba[45] andNorth Korea.[46][47] However, there are strict codes for delivering to North Korea, as the country has shaky relations with the West.[46]
As of 2007, DHL took measures to control their environmental footprint by the use ofalternative fuel vehicles. DHL changed vehicles in certain delivery fleets in order to use alternative fuels. Certain new vehicles usedcompressed natural gas.[48]
In December 2014, Deutsche Post DHL purchased theStreetScooter company, a small manufacturer of electric vehicles as part of its long-term goal to reach zero emissions in its delivery operations.[49] By year end 2016, some 2,000 vehicles had been produced.[50][51]
In 2016,BYD supplied DHL with electric distribution fleet of commercialBYD T3, which provided daily logistics in the Central Business District (CBD) of Shenzhen and surrounding areas.[52]
As of 2016, electric vans with a much greater range were to be required to achieve the long-term goal of replacing the entire Deutsche Post and DHL Express fleet of approximately 70,000 vehicles with StreetScooter models.[53]
In 2022, DHL equipped 67 trucks in the US with TRAILAR solar mats, which power lift gates and other equipment for fuel savings.[54]
As of 2017 the Deutsche Post/DHL GoGreen program planned to reduceemissions of greenhouse gases and local air pollutants; The long-term goal, summarized by Frank Appel, chief executive officer, was more aggressive. "From now until 2050, our mission will be to drive our business toward zero [logistics related] emissions. We are setting the standard for the future of the transport sector and doing our part to help the world community reach its goal of limiting global warming to less than two degrees Celsius."[55]
The DHL Express financial results are published in the Deutsche Post AG annual report.[9] In 2016, this division's revenue increased by 2.7% to €14 billion.[56] Theearnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) increased by 11.3% over 2015 to €1.5 billion.[57]
Recent Financial DataQuarter Ending September 30, 2024:Revenue: $23.446 billion (6.9% increase year-over-year).Twelve Months Ending September 30, 2024:Revenue: $92.791 billion (0.25% decline year-over-year).Annual Revenue for 2023:Revenue: $91.503 billion (10.8% decline from 2022).Annual Revenue for 2022:Revenue: $102.58 billion (3.17% increase from 2021).Annual Revenue for 2021:Revenue: $99.425 billion (26.33% increase from 2020).
On 16 September 2005, DHL won a High Court injunction establishing an exclusion zone around each of its 288 buildings in theUK 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 withHuntingdon 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.[58]
.jpg)
Deutsche Post owns five airline subsidiaries operating for DHL Express, operating approx. 250 aircraft and another 21 aircraft on order, which are collectively referred to asDHL Aviation. DHL Express is an equal partner in a sixth airline that operates for DHL Express:
For several years, DHL was the primary sponsor of thePenske RacingPorsche RS SpyderLe Mans Prototypes in theInternational Motor Sports AssociationAmerican Le Mans Series. DHL have also sponsoredRyan Hunter-Reay's #28IndyCar Series car forAndretti Autosport since 2011. They moved toRomain Grosjean in 2022 and then toÁlex Palou andChip Ganassi Racing in 2024. With DHL, Hunter-Reay won the championship for the2012 IndyCar Series season as well as the2014 Indianapolis 500. DHL was the main title sponsor of theJordanFormula One team during2002. Since then, DHL has become a regular track-side sponsor at various Formula One races throughout each year, as well as becoming the 'Official Logistics Partner' of the category. Since 2007, they have also sponsored theDHL Fastest Lap Award for the driver that achieves the fastest laps in a season.[59]
Manchester United Football Club announced them as their first training kit sponsor in August 2011, agreeing to a four-year deal with DHL reported to be worth £40 million; it is believed to be the first instance of training kit sponsorship in English football.[60][61] In 2014,FC Bayern Munich agreed to a six-year sponsorship deal with DHL.[62] In 2012, the company became the main sponsor ofLeague of Ireland clubBohemian F.C.[63]
In 2011, DHL became the title sponsor of the South African Western Cape Rugby Union teamsWestern Province and theStormers. This came into effect on 1 January 2011 for a period of three years.[64] DHL were still the current sponsor for both teams as of the 2017–2018 season.
For the2011–12 Volvo Ocean Race DHL was one of four race partners providing logistics for this event.[65][66]
In 2014, the company sponsored, with IMG Fashion,DHL Exported, which was aimed at "assisting designers who are already successful locally to gain momentum internationally".[67] DHL Exported will "sponsor a chosen designer for two consecutive seasons at" the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York, London Fashion Week, Milan Fashion Week or Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Tokyo.[67] IMG Fashion "will accept applications from February 17 through April 2 atdhlexported
Expanding its support to various cultural endeavors, in 2014 DHL signed on as the official logistics partner for Cirque du Soleil. DHL transports up to 2,000 tonnes and 80 freight containers utilizing air, sea, and land to transport the equipment from one city to the next.[68]
In 2015, DHL became the main sponsor of Italian volleyball clubModena Volley, covering the whole men'sSuperLega Italian championship and theCEV Champions League.[69]
DHL is a major sponsor ofSurf Life Saving Australia.[70]
DHL Express, also came on board for the five times Indian Premier League (IPL) championsMumbai Indians as a Principal Sponsor and Official Logistics Partner in 2021.[71]
In 2020 DHL collaborated withVeldskoen Shoes, aSouth African shoe company to launch a limited edition sneaker inLondon called "Dear Everyone".[72]
{{cite web}}:|last= has generic name (help)Deutsche Post DHL hat den Kaufvertrag für die StreetScooter GmbH unterzeichnet - ein ehemaliges Start-up aus dem Umfeld der RWTH Aachen mit dem Ziel, wirtschaftliche Elektroautos zu entwickeln. Mit der Übernahme der StreetScooter GmbH, die noch unter dem Vorbehalt der fusionskontrollrechtlichen Freigabe steht, übernimmt Deutsche Post DHL auch die Entwicklungs- und Produktionsrechte an den Fahrzeugen sowie die Mitarbeiter. Die StreetScooter GmbH ist ein Spin-Off der RWTH Aachen und als Konsortium aus rund 80 Industrieunternehmen der Automobilindustrie und verwandter Branchen gestartet. Es wurde 2010 gegründet und beschäftigt 70 Mitarbeiter. Seit 2013 sind in Aachen im ehemaligen Talbot-/Bombardierwerk rund 200 StreetScooter Fahrzeuge produziert worden.
Die Post will ihren gesamten Fuhrpark auf Elektro-Autos umstellen. Bis dahin dauert es noch. Einen wichtigen Schritt hat das Unternehmen nun aber gemacht.
When Deutsche Post AG couldn't find a zero-emission delivery van that met its needs, it bought a startup and developed one.
Provided its StreetScooters can be produced cheaply enough compared to the alternative of buying e-vans from established auto makers, the bottom line of the world's biggest delivery services company stands to benefit from producing its own delivery vehicles - whether or not it eventually adds profits from sales of e-vans to third parties.
By the year 2050 we want to reduce all logistics-related emissions to zero – a highly ambitious goal. To ensure progress towards the 2050 zero-emissions target, we have set four interim goals to be achieved by the year 2025.
Media related toDHL at Wikimedia Commons| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
.svg)
