What is DHL Logistics? DHL Logistics Review

DHL is a subsidiary of Deutsche Post DHL, a world-renowned postal and logistics group, providing international express, parcel and express services. It mainly includes the following business units: DHL Express, DHL Global Forwarding, DHL eCommerce and DHL Supply Chain.

About DHL

In 1969, DHL opened their first express delivery route from San Francisco to Honolulu. The company's name DHL is composed of the initials of the three founders' surnames (Dalsey, Hillblom and Lynn). Soon, DHL expanded their routes to Hong Kong, Japan, the Philippines, Australia and Singapore. In the mid-to-late 1970s, DHL expanded their routes to South America, the Middle East and Africa under the concept of DHL's commitment to building a brand-new network that provides global door-to-door express delivery services.

Since 2002, Deutsche Post has controlled all its shares and integrated its DHL, Danzas and Euroexpress into the new DHL. In 2003, Deutsche Post acquired Airborne Express in the United States and integrated it into DHL. In 2005, Deutsche Post acquired Exel plc in the United Kingdom and integrated it into DHL. So far, DHL Express has one of the most complete express delivery networks in the world, which can reach 120,000 destinations in 220 countries and regions.

DHL is a global leader in express, intercontinental transport and air freight, and the world's number one provider of ocean freight and contract logistics. DHL provides customers with a full range of logistics solutions from documents to supply chain management. The company delivers goods quickly, safely and promptly around the world. The basis for this is its extensive network, which combines air and ground transportation to achieve optimal delivery efficiency. On the one hand, this allows DHL's services to reach every corner of the world, and on the other hand, it can establish a brand image in the local market and fully understand the needs of the local market and customers. In the field of logistics, globalization is creating a more complex supply chain than ever before. DHL's combination of global reach and understanding of local markets has once again shown that this is an important competitive advantage. The company provides a full range of standardized services as well as customized industry solutions. This is the only way to achieve the high standards required by its global customers.

Products and Solutions

1. Parcel and document delivery

2. Freight: Supports pallet, container and all types of cargo transportation.

3. Logistics Solutions and Expertise: Provide a wide range of solutions and customized services to meet customers' specific business needs; DHL's goal is to optimize and improve customers' supply chains and help them gain a competitive advantage; use the solution finder provided by DHL to find the right solution for your business.

Business Division

1. DHL Express: Express services and international transportation; whether it is express documents or large goods, we can provide delivery and tracking solutions according to customer needs.

2. DHL Global Forwarding: includes international air transport, international ocean transport, road transport, rail freight, domestic freight, customs, Same Day, solutions, and additional services.

3. DHL Supply Chain: DHL Supply Chain is a leading global contract logistics provider, affiliated to DPDHL Group (revenue has reached 56.6 billion euros, approximately RMB 446.7 billion); it provides customized integrated logistics solutions that combine value-added management services with traditional fulfillment and distribution services to improve efficiency, improve quality and enhance competitive advantage. DHL Supply Chain provides proven expertise in the automotive, consumer products, chemicals, energy, engineering & manufacturing +, life sciences & healthcare, retail and technology sectors. As the global market continues to grow, our innovative logistics solutions are always ready to help our customers.

4. DHL eCommerce: DHL eCommerce is an e-commerce logistics expert that helps connect global sellers and buyers; providing business customers with standard domestic and international package pickup, delivery and return solutions. In addition, DHL also provides e-commerce logistics and order fulfillment services in selected markets, including in the Americas, Asia Pacific and the Middle East/Africa.

Pros and Cons

1. Advantages: Under normal circumstances, the delivery time is 2-4 working days, which is fast, especially to Europe, which is generally 3 working days, and to Southeast Asia, which is generally 2 working days; the delivery network is spread all over the world; the status of the goods on the query website is updated in a timely manner; problems are solved quickly; there are separate bulk prices for items over 21 kilograms, and the bulk prices in some areas are even lower than those of international EMS, which saves a lot of money.

2. Disadvantages: The discount for small shipments is high, which is about 20-30% higher than the international EMS fee; the price of small shipments is more expensive and not cost-effective; the volume is heavier than the actual weight and the fee is calculated based on the volume weight; there are many restrictions on the items to be shipped and many special commodities are rejected.

DHL's development in China

-On December 1, 1986, DHL officially entered the Chinese market and chose to form a partnership with Sinotrans. Both parties held 50% of the shares and jointly established Sinotrans-DHL International Air Express Co., Ltd. (referred to as "Sinotrans-DHL").

-In 1996, DHL-Sinotrans began to increase its investment in the Chinese market, mainly in opening new branches, improving equipment and enhancing computer technology.

-At the end of 2002, the then Deutsche Post World Network (DPWN) (renamed "Deutsche Post DHL (DPDHL)" in 2009) already owned 100% of DHL's shares. After taking over DHL, Deutsche Post integrated all its express, freight and supply chain management businesses into a single brand - DHL. The integrated DHL saw the development potential of the Chinese market and gradually increased its investment in the Chinese market. Since then, Sinotrans-DHL has entered the mature development stage of its business in China.

-In 2003, DHL began to invest heavily in the Chinese market and announced a five-year investment plan in China, investing $200 million to expand its service capabilities in China. In the same year, DHL increased its shareholding in Sinotrans to 5%, becoming the largest strategic investor in Sinotrans.

-In 2006, DHL-Sinotrans announced that China has become the fastest growing market in DHL's global network and has important strategic significance for DHL Asia Pacific and the world. In the same year, DHL-Sinotrans solemnly launched the "DHL China First" strategy, which included an investment of approximately US$24 million to build the DHL-Sinotrans Building.

-DHL has increased its investment in business facilities while investing in the Chinese market. In 2004 and 2007, DHL-Sinotrans announced the establishment of two intercontinental transshipment centers in China, namely the Hong Kong Asia Transshipment Center and the Shanghai North Asia Transshipment Center.

-On January 26, 2007, DHL announced the official launch of its domestic air cargo business in China.

Development History

-In 1969, DHL was founded in California by Adrian Dalsey, Larry Hillblom and Robert Lynn.

-In 1971, DHL expanded rapidly and its express network extended to the Far East and the Pacific Rim.

-In 1972, we began providing services in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia.

-In 1974, the first British express business office was opened in London.

-From 1976 to 1978, the express delivery business expanded to three major regions: the Middle East, Latin America and Africa.

-In 1977, the first German DHL office was opened in Frankfurt.

- In 1979, DHL expanded its services to package delivery. Prior to this, it only provided document delivery services.

-In 1983, DHL became the first air express company to serve Eastern European countries and established an international distribution center (hub) in Cincinnati, USA.

-In 1985, a first-class international transshipment center was established in Brussels, handling more than 165,000 shipments every night.

-In 1986, DHL established a joint venture in China and became the first international express company to serve China.

-In 1990, DHL established a strategic alliance with Lufthansa, Japan Airlines and Nissho Iwai.

-In 1991, DHL became the first international express company to resume services to Kuwait after the Gulf War.

-In 1993, DHL invested US$60 million to build a new international transit center in Bahrain.

- In 1998, Deutsche Post began acquiring shares in DHL and acquired a controlling stake in 2001.

-In 1999, DHL Global Express invested 1 billion euros to build a first-class air cargo fleet to enrich its European and African networks.

- In 2002, Deutsche Post World Wide Web became the major shareholder of DHL on January 1, 2002. By the end of the year, the company had a 100% stake.

-In 2003, Deutsche Post acquired the American Airborne Express and integrated it into DHL Air Cargo.

-In 2004, a new global IT center was established in Prague, Czechoslovakia. It replaced the service center originally located in London, and DHL became a new brand under Deutsche Post's international postal business.

-In 2005, Deutsche Post World Network acquired the British logistics brand Exel for 5.5 billion euros.

-In 2007, DHL and EMC, one of the world's top ten IT companies, established the Asia-Pacific and Japan Supply and Logistics Center in Hong Kong to facilitate short-distance cargo delivery.