In 1969, just months after the world was marveling at Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the moon, three partners took another small step that would have a profound impact on the way the world does business. DHL founders Adrian Dalsey, Larry Hillblom and Robert Lynn (D, H and L) began to personally deliver documents by airplane from San Francisco to Honolulu, beginning customs clearance of the ship’s cargo before the actual arrival of the ship and dramatically reducing waiting time in the harbor. Customers stood to save a fortune. With this concept, a new industry was born: international air express service, the rapid delivery of documents and shipments by airplane.
DHL
1969
DHL is founded by Adrian Dalsey, Larry Hillblom and Robert Lynn in San Francisco.
1971
DHL’s network rapidly grows and the company 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 of DHL is opened in London, initiating service in Europe.
Globally, DHL now had 3,052 customers and 314 staff.
1977
The first German DHL office is opened in Frankfurt.
DHL begins service in Latin America.
1978
DHL begins service in the Middle East and Africa.
1979
DHL expands its services to delivering packages. Until that time only documents were sent.
1983
DHL is the first international air express company to serve Eastern European countries.
An international distribution center (hub) is opened in Cincinnati, Ohio.
1985
A state-of-the-art hub is opened in Brussels. More than 165,000 shipments are handled here 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 is the first international express service to restart service to Kuwait after the Gulf war.
1993
DHL makes an investment of $60 million USD in a new hub facility in Bahrain.
1995
DHL opens the first of its kind gateway facility in Moscow, Russia, and greatly expands its China operations.
1998
Deutsche Post World Net becomes a shareholder in DHL.
DHL opens a new global IT facility in Kuala Lumpur.
1999
DHL celebrates its 30th anniversary.
DHL invests over €1 billion euro in a new state-of-the-art air cargo fleet, acquiring 44 new Boeing 757SF cargo planes for its European and African network.
2001
DHL invests $34 million USD in a new hub in Singapore. The facility is the largest transshipment hub in the Asia Pacific region.
2002
Deutsche Post World Net completes acquisition of DHL.
DHL expands its Asia network by entering into a joint venture with Cathay Pacific for express air cargo.
A new DHL global IT facility opens in Scottsdale, Arizona.
2003
DHL increases its share in China’s Sinotrans to five percent, thereby becoming Sinotrans’ largest strategic investor. DHL also launches a five-year, $200 million USD investment program to significantly expand its capabilities in China.
Deutsche Post, DHL and Postbank are building up the Group's current brand architecture. DHL serves as the exclusive brand for all consolidated express and logistic activities. DHL’s corporate colors are now yellow and red. In April, the worldwide brand transformation of all vehicles, packing materials and buildings begins.
Through the purchase of Airborne Express, DHL is now the third largest express service provider in the U.S.
2004
New global IT facility opens in Prague, Czech Republic.
DHL launches a three-year, $1.2 billion USD investment in the expansion of its U.S. ground delivery network. Investments include the consolidation of DHL’s primary U.S. air and ground hub at Wilmington Air Park in Ohio, the opening of seven new regional sort centers, and new distribution facilities on the East and West Coasts of the U.S., to significantly expand DHL’s U.S. domestic network.
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