Steps to success

Steps to Success

1969

DHL founded by Adrian Dalsey, Larry Hillblom and Robert Lynn in San Francisco.

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 had 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.

1983

DHL is the first air express forwarder to serve Eastern European countries. An international distribution centre (hub) is opened in Cincinnati, USA.

1985

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

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

1993

DHL invests US$ 60 million in a new hub facility in Bahrain.

1998

Deutsche Post becomes a shareholder in DHL.

A major IT centre 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% and CO2 emissions by 13% compared to the fleet of B737Fs they replace.

2002

Deutsche Post World Net becomes the major shareholder in DHL from 1 January. A 100% 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 centre is opened in Scottsdale, USA.

2003

DHL increases its share in Sinotrans to 5%, 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: USD 3.3 billion), 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 programme in China: DHL will significantly expand its capacities through an investment of USD 200 million.

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 organisations. 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 concluded 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.