You would expect the world's largest logistics specialist to offer the world's largest range of logistics services. But DHL goes further and aims to bring value and consistent, high quality support to customers of every type and size, wherever they operate.

Making the most of our scale and experience we aim to become our customers' first choice worldwide. Our logistics operations embody DHL's three core brand values of local strength/global coverage, proactive solutions and personal commitment.

Our goal is nothing less than to transform the logistics industry and to deliver beyond our customers' expectations wherever and whenever they need us - by offering the most comprehensive suite of services and becoming the only genuine one-stop source for logistics solutions, globally.

A supply chain is the flow of goods, information and finance. It typically starts by sourcing raw materials or semi-finished goods, which are scheduled and transported into factories to be made into finished products (see Diagram 1.0). These then pass through warehouses or distribution centres and are delivered to retailers, wholesalers or direct to consumers' homes or business premises. Finally, aftermarket activities involve the maintenance and repair, or the return and recycling, of products at the end of their life. Supply chain planning optimises overall flows and inventories, by balancing resources with demand at all stages.