Deutsche Post Acquires DHL

The deal turned a national post office into one of the largest logistics groups in the world and made DHL the global brand for its express, freight and contract logistics businesses. Deutsche Post also bought companies such as the forwarder Danzas, and in 2003 merged its express and logistics units under the DHL name. DHL Supply Chain is now a major contract logistics and e-commerce fulfillment operator, and DHL eCommerce works with postal networks on cross-border parcels. For brands, the result is one provider offering express, freight forwarding, warehousing and last-mile delivery under a single name.

• Third-Party Logistics3PLAn outside warehouse that ships your orders
• Freight ForwarderBooks and manages international shipments
• Last MileFinal leg of delivery to the door

• Larry Hillblom1943–1995 · Co-founder of DHL
• Adrian Dalsey1914–1994 · Co-founder of DHL

• Founding of DHL1969 · Couriers fly shipping papers ahead of the cargo
• Rise of the 3PL Industry1980s · Deregulation lets carriers sell contract logistics
• FedEx Acquires TNT Express2016 · FedEx buys the Dutch express carrier TNT

1. History 2002 (DHL Group) group.dhl.com
2. DHL Worldwide Network S.A./N.V. History (FundingUniverse) fundinguniverse.com