Packfleet

DHL
	File:DHL Logo.svg Logo used since 2007
Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Logistics, courier, package delivery, express mail
Founded	1 January 1969; 57 years ago in San Francisco, California, United States
Founder	Adrian Dalsey, Larry Hillblom, Robert Lynn
Headquarters	Bonn, Germany
Area served	Worldwide
Products	Courier services, parcel delivery, express mail services
Owner	Deutsche Post DHL Group
Number of employees	285,000 (approximate as of 2005)
Parent	Deutsche Post DHL Group
Website	www.dhl.com

DHL—named after its founders Dalsey, Hillblom, and Lynn—is a global logistics corporation originally established in the United States and now headquartered in Bonn, Germany. Specializing in courier, package delivery, and express mail services, it handles the shipment of more than 1.7 billion parcels each year. As a subsidiary and flagship brand of DHL Group, its express division, DHL Express, holds a leading position in the European market. Additionally, DHL runs a parcel delivery service catering to the German retail sector in partnership with Deutsche Post.

Founded in 1969 in San Francisco, California, DHL expanded its operations internationally by the late 1970s. Initially concentrating on overseas and cross-continental shipments, it ventured into domestic US markets starting in 1983, following the success of FedEx. Beginning in 1998, Deutsche Post gradually acquired shares in DHL, achieving majority control by 2001 and complete ownership by December 2002. Subsequently, DHL was merged into Deutsche Post’s Express division, with the brand extending to subsidiaries such as DHL Global Forwarding and DHL Supply Chain. To enhance its footprint in the United States, DHL acquired Airborne Express in 2003.

Origins

During his law studies at University of California, Berkeley’s Boalt Hall School of Law in the late 1960s, Larry Hillblom worked as a courier for Michael's, Poe & Associates (MPA), an insurance firm, frequently transporting packages between Oakland and Los Angeles airports.

After completing his degree, Hillblom joined forces with MPA salesman Adrian Dalsey to develop rapid delivery services. Their initial operations involved moving bills of lading between Honolulu and San Francisco for their client Seatrain Lines.

Name origins

Hillblom financed the startup partially through his student loans and brought on Adrian Dalsey and Robert Lynn as partners. The company’s name, DHL, originates from the initials of their last names. Their early operations relied on a shared Plymouth Duster for document collection and utilized corporate credit cards to book flights. Among their first employees were Max and Blanche Kroll, who provided accommodations for couriers stationed in Hawaii.

Domestic expansion

Throughout the 1970s, DHL transformed into an international courier company alongside rivals such as Loomis and Purolator. In 1979, under the name DHL Air Cargo, it commenced inter-island freight services within Hawaii using Douglas DC-3 and DC-6 aircraft. Founders Dalsey and Hillblom oversaw these operations until the division ceased due to bankruptcy in 1983. At its peak, DHL Air Cargo employed over 100 personnel.

While FedEx was DHL’s primary competitor in overnight delivery services, it only began offering international routes in 1981 starting with Toronto. Despite this delay, DHL secured a strong position domestically as the third-largest courier after FedEx and UPS.

Deutsche Post purchase

Starting in 1998, Deutsche Post began purchasing shares of DHL, obtaining controlling interest by 2001. By late 2002, Deutsche Post had acquired all outstanding shares and integrated DHL into its Express division. The DHL brand was subsequently extended across other Deutsche Post subsidiaries including DHL Global Forwarding, DHL Freight, DHL Supply Chain, and DHL Global Mail. In 1999, Deutsche Post World Net (DPWN) acquired Dutch carrier Van Gend & Loos and Swiss freight forwarder Danzas. The modern DHL brand emerged from merging the original DHL with Danzas and Securicor Omega Euro Express. Additionally, the automated delivery kiosk known as the Packstation was trialed in Dortmund and Mainz.

2000–2010

Following a management buyout in 2003, DHL Airways, Inc., which operated domestic flights within the United States, was renamed Astar Air Cargo. By October 2008, the airline employed more than 550 pilots. In August 2003, Deutsche Post completed its acquisition of Airborne Express and began integrating the company into DHL's operations.

Plans for expansion at Brussels Airport in 2004 sparked political tensions in Belgium. On 21 October 2004, DHL Express declared it would move its European hub from Brussels to Leipzig, Germany; although Vatry, France was under consideration, it was ultimately dismissed. This announcement prompted unions to organize a one-day strike that halted operations.

On 8 November 2004, DHL Express invested €120 million to become the majority stakeholder in Indian courier company Blue Dart Aviation.

In 2005, Deutsche Post acquired contract logistics provider Exel plc, which had recently taken over Tibbett & Britten Group. The transaction was finalized on 14 December 2005, with Exel rebranded as DHL Exel Supply Chain. Following this acquisition, DHL's global workforce numbered approximately 285,000 employees (rising to 500,000 when including DPWN and affiliates), generating nearly $65 billion in annual revenue.

DHL secured a £1.6 billion contract in 2006 to manage the UK's NHS Supply Chain for ten years, overseeing logistics for over 500,000 products across more than 600 hospitals and healthcare providers.

Together with Lufthansa Cargo, DHL co-founded cargo airline AeroLogic in 2007 at Leipzig/Halle Airport, which operated up to eleven Boeing 777F aircraft by 2012. In December of that year, DHL introduced innovative cargo shipping using wind-powered vessels equipped with MS Beluga Skysails kites.

As part of its NHS contract responsibilities, DHL inaugurated a distribution center in 2008 to serve as a stock-holding facility for food and other goods; a second center was planned for opening in 2012. These developments generated approximately 1,000 new jobs.

In May 2008, DHL Aviation relocated its European hub from Brussels Airport to Leipzig/Halle Airport, significantly increasing cargo throughput there. Simultaneously, DHL restructured its U.S. network by terminating its partnership with ABX Air and contracting competitor UPS for air freight services; the primary cargo hub shifted from Wilmington to Louisville. Despite opposition from the Air Line Pilots Association, International, on 10 November 2008 DHL eliminated 9,500 U.S. positions and ceased domestic air and ground operations due to economic uncertainties but maintained international services while continuing negotiations with UPS regarding inter-airport package transport.

In October 2008, two senior executives of DHL Express Middle East were assassinated in Kabul by an employee; both received military honors from the United States—the first such awards given in Afghanistan.

In 2009, DHL discontinued domestic pickup and delivery services within the United States, leaving UPS and FedEx as the primary express parcel carriers. Limited domestic service persisted through local delivery via USPS. In April of that year, negotiations between UPS and DHL ended without an agreement for UPS to provide airlift for DHL packages within North America; consequently, DHL continued relying on ASTAR Air Cargo and ABX Air for air transportation.

2011–present

In 2010, DHL divested its UK B2B and B2C domestic parcel operations to British delivery company Home Delivery Network, which was later renamed Yodel.

DHL expanded its global hub at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport in 2013. That November, it sold its UK domestic same-day delivery business to Rico Logistics but retained time- and day-definite domestic and international services within the UK.

In late 2020, DHL secured contracts to distribute the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine globally.

By March 2021, DHL Aviation transferred its hub functions from Bergamo to Milan Malpensa Airport and inaugurated new logistics facilities at the latter location.

In October 2021, DHL announced a rate increase of 5.9% for U.S. customers effective January 2022.

In March 2025, DHL acquired Packfleet, a London-based carbon-neutral parcel courier founded in 2021 by three former Monzo employees. Packfleet operates an all-electric delivery fleet supported by proprietary technology and has raised over $21 million from investors including General Catalyst and Monzo founder Tom Blomfield.

In April 2025, DHL Express halted all consumer deliveries to the U.S. exceeding $800 due to new customs regulations; however, B2B shipments continue with possible delays.

In May 2025, DHL announced plans to merge its UK parcel delivery business with Hermes Europe (Evri), forming a combined courier enterprise. This merger will enhance Evri’s international reach through DHL’s extensive global network. The e-commerce division will be rebranded as "Evri Premium – a network of DHL eCommerce".

Services

DHL Express's worldwide headquarters are situated within Deutsche Post's main office in Bonn. Its North American operations are managed from offices in Guadalajara, Mexico and Plantation, Florida, while the Asia–Pacific and emerging market divisions operate out of locations including Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and mainland China. The European central hub is based in Leipzig, Germany. The majority of DHL Express activities are conducted under the entity DHL International GmbH.

Among its primary rivals are FedEx, UPS, as well as various national postal services such as the United States Postal Service (USPS) and Royal Mail. DHL holds a limited collaboration with USPS through DHL Global Mail (currently known as DHL eCommerce) for last-mile delivery services. Additionally, DHL functions as the exclusive transporter for USPS mail entering and leaving Iraq and Afghanistan.

DHL offers worldwide shipping solutions, extending even to difficult regions like Iraq, Afghanistan, and Myanmar. As a German-owned company, DHL is not bound by U.S. embargoes or sanctions, enabling it to ship to locations such as Cuba and North Korea. Nevertheless, shipments to North Korea are subject to stringent regulatory compliance due to geopolitical concerns.

Environmental record

By 2007, DHL had integrated alternative fuel vehicles into its fleet to lessen environmental impacts, including the use of compressed natural gas in selected delivery vehicles.

Use of electric vehicles

In December 2014, Deutsche Post DHL acquired StreetScooter GmbH, an electric vehicle manufacturer, supporting its commitment to zero-emission delivery services. By the close of 2016, around 2,000 StreetScooter units had been produced.

In 2016, BYD supplied DHL with electric BYD T3 vans for logistics operations within Shenzhen's Central Business District. Realizing the long-term goal of replacing roughly 70,000 vehicles across Deutsche Post and DHL Express depends on developing electric vans with enhanced driving range.

In 2022, DHL outfitted 67 trucks in the United States with TRAILAR solar mats designed to power lift gates and reduce fuel usage.

The Deutsche Post/DHL GoGreen initiative focuses on lowering greenhouse gas emissions and local pollutants. CEO Frank Appel expressed the ambition to eliminate logistics-related emissions entirely by 2050, contributing to global efforts aimed at keeping temperature increases below two degrees Celsius.

Finances

Financial performance for DHL Express is reported within Deutsche Post AG’s consolidated annual financial statements. In 2016, the division’s revenue grew by 2.7% reaching €14 billion, while EBIT rose by 11.3% to €1.5 billion.

Recent Financial Highlights:

Quarter ending September 30, 2024: Revenue of $23.446 billion (a year-over-year increase of 6.9%)
Twelve months ending September 30, 2024: Revenue totaled $92.791 billion (a slight year-over-year decrease of 0.25%)
Fiscal Year 2023: Revenue reached $91.503 billion (down 10.8% compared to 2022)
Fiscal Year 2022: Revenue was $102.58 billion (up 3.17% from 2021)
Fiscal Year 2021: Revenue amounted to $99.425 billion (an increase of 26.33% over 2020)

Animal rights activist protest

In September 2005, DHL obtained a UK High Court injunction that established exclusion zones around its 288 facilities and employee residences due to protests connected with its dealings with Huntingdon Life Sciences. The injunction prohibits protesters from approaching within 50 yards of DHL properties or employee homes and forbids organized demonstrations within a 100-yard radius unless prior police notification is given, thereby safeguarding DHL and its business partners from intimidation tactics.

DHL Aviation

Deutsche Post operates a network of five airline subsidiaries managing approximately 250 aircraft, with an additional 21 on order, collectively branded as DHL Aviation and serving worldwide markets:

Blue Dart Aviation, based in Chennai, India – providing domestic air services within India
DHL Aero Expreso, located in Panama City, Panama – covering routes across Central and South America
DHL Air UK, headquartered in Hounslow, UK – operating European flights from East Midlands Airport
European Air Transport Leipzig, situated in Leipzig, Germany – servicing European destinations from Leipzig/Halle Airport
AeroLogic (a joint venture with Lufthansa), based in Schkeuditz, Germany – connecting Europe with Central and Eastern Asia via Leipzig/Halle and Frankfurt Airports
SNAS/DHL, operating out of Bahrain – handling Middle Eastern routes from Bahrain International Airport

Sponsorships

DHL has established a strong presence in motorsport sponsorships, notably supporting Penske Racing’s Porsche RS Spyder Le Mans Prototype vehicles competing in the American Le Mans Series. Beginning in 2011, DHL backed Ryan Hunter-Reay’s #28 car in the IndyCar Series with Andretti Autosport, later extending support to racers such as Romain Grosjean, Álex Palou, and teams like Chip Ganassi Racing. Under DHL’s sponsorship, Hunter-Reay secured the 2012 IndyCar championship and triumphed at the 2014 Indianapolis 500. DHL was also the principal sponsor of the Jordan Grand Prix Formula One team during the 2002 season and has since maintained a role as an official track-side sponsor and 'Official Logistics Partner' for Formula One, including sponsoring the DHL Fastest Lap Award since 2007.

In association football, DHL became Manchester United’s inaugural training kit sponsor in 2011 through a four-year agreement valued at approximately £40 million—a groundbreaking deal within English football. In 2014, DHL entered into a six-year sponsorship contract with FC Bayern Munich. Additionally, DHL began sponsoring League of Ireland club Bohemian F.C. starting in 2012.

Within rugby union, DHL extended its sponsorship portfolio by partnering with South Africa’s Western Cape teams—the Western Province and the Stormers—from 2011 for an initial three-year period, continuing its support through the 2017–2018 season.

As a logistics partner, DHL played a key role in supporting the 2011–12 Volvo Ocean Race and currently serves as the Official Timing and Logistics Partner for the AFC Champions League.

In the fashion industry, DHL collaborated with IMG Fashion in 2014 on DHL Exported, a program designed to help designers expand their international reach by sponsoring their participation at major fashion weeks such as those held in New York, London, Milan, and Tokyo.

Culturally, DHL became Cirque du Soleil’s official logistics partner in 2014, overseeing the global transportation of up to 2,000 tonnes of performance equipment.

Beyond motorsports and football, DHL took on the role of main sponsor for Italian volleyball team Modena Volley in 2015, supporting their campaigns domestically in SuperLega as well as in the CEV Champions League. The company is also a significant sponsor of Surf Life Saving Australia.

In cricket, DHL Express became Principal Sponsor and Official Logistics Partner for five-time Indian Premier League champions Mumbai Indians starting in 2021.

In retail collaborations, DHL teamed up with South African footwear brand Veldskoen Shoes in 2020 to release a limited edition sneaker called "Dear Everyone" in London.

External links

Comprehensive DHL Express report on Global Aviation Resource