DHL Group

Corporate brand

The corporate brand architecture associated with Deutsche Post AG, combining German postal services with DHL's global express, freight, supply-chain and e-commerce logistics businesses.

Last updated October 13, 2026

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Overview

DHL Group is the trading name of Deutsche Post AG, a German multinational group headquartered in Bonn. Its businesses combine the traditional German postal system with a worldwide logistics platform centered on the DHL brand. The group operates in express delivery, international parcel distribution, air, ocean and road freight, contract logistics, supply-chain management, e-commerce fulfillment, and domestic mail and parcel services. In Germany, the Deutsche Post brand remains associated with letter delivery and national postal services, while DHL is the principal international brand for time-definite shipments, freight and logistics solutions. The group is the corporate successor to Germany’s public postal administration. Its historical lineage reaches back through Deutsche Bundespost and earlier state postal institutions, including the Kaiserliche Reichspost. The modern corporate entity was created during the privatization of Deutsche Bundespost: Deutsche Bundespost Postdienst became Deutsche Post AG on 2 January 1995. Deutsche Post subsequently expanded beyond the former public postal monopoly through acquisitions and partnerships. It bought interests in DHL International during the late 1990s, acquired the remaining DHL shares in 2002, and then consolidated DHL, Danzas, Van Gend & Loos, Airborne Express and other operations into a global express organization. The acquisition of Airborne Express in 2003 strengthened the group’s position in the United States, while the purchase of Exel in 2005 materially expanded contract logistics and freight-forwarding capabilities. These transactions helped transform Deutsche Post from a primarily German postal operator into a diversified international logistics company. The group later acquired UK Mail, integrated it into the European parcel network and rebranded its domestic parcel operation as DHL Parcel UK. It also entered a strategic arrangement with SF Express concerning supply-chain activities in China. DHL Group’s operating model is organized around several major businesses. DHL Express provides international courier and express transportation through integrated air and ground networks. DHL Global Forwarding and DHL Freight arrange and move cargo by air, ocean, road and rail. DHL Supply Chain provides warehousing, distribution, value-added logistics and sector-specific contract-logistics services. DHL eCommerce supports international parcel delivery and fulfillment, while Post & Parcel Germany serves the domestic mail and parcel market under the Deutsche Post name. The group has also invested in logistics technology, fleet electrification and operational infrastructure. Its purchase of StreetScooter, an Aachen-based electric-vehicle manufacturer, supported the development of battery-electric delivery vans for postal operations. The vehicle business was later associated with plans for divestment. DHL Group remains one of the world’s largest logistics companies, combining a highly visible consumer delivery brand with large-scale business-to-business transportation and supply-chain services.

History

DHL Group’s institutional history is rooted in the German postal administration. The organization that became Deutsche Post inherited functions developed through successive German postal systems, including the Kaiserliche Reichspost and Deutsche Bundespost. During the twentieth century, mail delivery, parcel services and related communications functions were administered as public services. The postal administration was later reorganized into separate operating entities as part of Germany’s broader postal and telecommunications reforms. On 2 January 1995, Deutsche Bundespost Postdienst became Deutsche Post AG. This conversion initiated the company’s privatization while the German state and KfW, the state-owned development bank, retained substantial ownership. The new company was expected to operate commercially while continuing to provide core postal services in Germany. Its subsequent strategy was to build businesses beyond regulated domestic letter delivery, particularly in parcels, international transportation and contract logistics. Deutsche Post began acquiring shares in DHL International in 1998 and expanded its European logistics platform through the acquisition of Van Gend & Loos from Nedlloyd in 1999 and Danzas in 2000. On 20 November 2000, Deutsche Post AG became fully private following an initial public offering on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Deutsche Post acquired the remaining DHL International shares in December 2002. In 2003 it purchased Airborne Express, a United States express carrier, and combined Airborne, Danzas, Van Gend & Loos, EuroExpress and related activities under the DHL Express structure. The 2005 acquisition of Exel, a major British logistics company, was a further turning point. Exel brought transport management, freight forwarding and contract-logistics capabilities serving corporate customers, broadening the group well beyond parcel delivery. Deutsche Post DHL subsequently developed distinct business divisions covering mail and parcels, express, global forwarding and freight, and supply chain. The group also expanded through country-level and regional parcel operations, including the purchase of UK Mail in 2016. UK Mail was integrated into the European parcel network and later operated as DHL Parcel UK. The group pursued operational innovation as well as acquisitions. In 2014 it bought StreetScooter, an Aachen electric-vehicle producer, and announced plans to scale production of electric delivery vehicles for its own fleet. The StreetScooter Work and Work L vehicles were designed for delivery and utility applications, supporting Deutsche Post’s effort to reduce the emissions of urban postal transport. Plans to sell the business to Odin Automotive, later associated with the B-ON name, were reported in 2021. Since 2019, international parcel activities have been grouped in the DHL eCommerce business. The company has also continued investing in aircraft, sorting centers, warehouses, digital shipment tools and lower-emission transport. In 2023, the corporate identity was formally emphasized as DHL Group, while Deutsche Post continued to identify the German postal operation. The group today combines a national postal franchise and infrastructure base with an international logistics network serving consumers, retailers, manufacturers, healthcare organizations and other corporate customers.

2023
Corporate identity shifts to DHL Group
[10]Corporate identity shifts to DHL Groupgroup.dhl.com
The group adopted DHL Group as its principal corporate trading identity while retaining Deutsche Post for German postal services.
2022
Hillebrand transaction receives UK clearance
[7]Competition and Markets Authority: DHL Group / J.F. Hillebrand merger inquirygov.uk
The UK Competition and Markets Authority clears the transaction at phase one.
2021
J.F. Hillebrand acquisition is announced
[8]Reuters: Deutsche Post to acquire J.F. Hillebrandreuters.com
Deutsche Post DHL agrees to acquire the specialist ocean-freight and liquid-logistics provider.
2019
DHL eCommerce organization expanded
[1]DHL Groupen.wikipedia.org
International parcel delivery operations were pooled in the DHL eCommerce division.
2018
SF Holding agrees to acquire selected China supply-chain activities
[12]SF Holding agrees to acquire selected China supply-chain activitieschambers.com
SF Holding agrees to purchase Deutsche Post DHL's supply-chain businesses in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau.
2016
UK Mail acquisition completed
[1]DHL Groupen.wikipedia.org
UK Mail was acquired and integrated into the European parcel network, later operating as DHL Parcel UK.
2014
StreetScooter acquisition
[1]DHL Groupen.wikipedia.org
The group acquired Aachen-based electric-vehicle maker StreetScooter.
2014
StreetScooter is acquired
[1]DHL Groupen.wikipedia.org
The group acquires electric-vehicle manufacturer StreetScooter to support delivery-vehicle development.
2005
Exel acquisition
[1]DHL Groupen.wikipedia.org
Deutsche Post acquired Exel, expanding its freight-forwarding and contract-logistics capabilities.
2003
Airborne Express acquisition
[1]DHL Groupen.wikipedia.org
The acquisition of the United States carrier Airborne Express strengthened the group’s international express business.
2003
DHL branding expands across the group
[11]DHL branding expands across the groupcompanieshistory.com
Parts of the German parcel fleet and related operations begin adopting the DHL visual identity.
2002
DHL International becomes wholly owned
[1]DHL Groupen.wikipedia.org
Deutsche Post acquires the remaining shares in DHL International.
2000
Initial public offering and full privatization
[1]DHL Groupen.wikipedia.org
Deutsche Post AG was listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and became fully private.
2000
Deutsche Post AG goes public
[1]DHL Groupen.wikipedia.org
Deutsche Post AG completes its public listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and becomes a fully private company.
1998
Deutsche Post begins acquiring DHL shares
[1]DHL Groupen.wikipedia.org
The company starts building an ownership position in DHL International, beginning its expansion into global express logistics.
1995
Deutsche Post AG is created
[1]DHL Groupen.wikipedia.org
Deutsche Bundespost's postal-service successor becomes Deutsche Post AG as part of Germany's postal privatization and restructuring.

Products and positioning

A global, integrated logistics and postal-services group combining time-definite international delivery, freight forwarding, contract logistics, e-commerce fulfillment and Germany’s national postal network. A global logistics infrastructure and trade-enablement group, combining the trust and national reach of Deutsche Post with DHL's international express and supply-chain capabilities.

International express delivery
DHL Express
DHL Express provides time-definite international courier and parcel transportation for documents and goods. It combines regional pickup and delivery networks with aviation capacity, customs expertise, shipment tracking and service options for business and consumer customers. The division is organized across major geographic regions and is one of the group’s most visible global businesses. DHL Express provides time-critical international shipment services for documents, parcels and business consignments. Its proposition centers on speed, predictable transit, customs expertise and a network spanning major trade lanes. The service is particularly relevant to companies moving urgent parts, samples, commercial documents and high-value goods across borders.
Freight forwarding
DHL Global Forwarding, Freight
DHL Global Forwarding arranges international cargo movements by air and ocean and provides related customs, trade and shipment-management services. It serves manufacturers, retailers and other corporate customers whose supply chains require multimodal transportation, consolidation, documentation and visibility rather than small-parcel courier delivery. This business arranges international air, ocean, road and rail freight and provides related customs, brokerage and shipment-management services. It serves customers that require transport capacity, multimodal coordination and visibility across complex supply chains. The division also incorporates specialized forwarding capabilities gained through acquisitions such as J.F. Hillebrand.
Road and rail freight
DHL Freight
DHL Freight operates a European ground-freight network and provides road-based transportation for palletized, partial-load and full-load shipments. Its services connect European markets and selected neighboring regions, supporting industrial and commercial customers with scheduled transport, cross-border movements and logistics planning.
Contract logistics
DHL Supply Chain
DHL Supply Chain provides outsourced logistics, warehousing, inventory management, distribution and sector-specific supply-chain operations. Customers can use the division for inbound logistics, fulfillment, transport coordination, value-added services and integrated warehouse networks. The business serves industries including retail, technology, life sciences, automotive and manufacturing. DHL Supply Chain designs and operates warehousing, fulfillment, transport management and integrated supply-chain programs. Its work can include inventory handling, inbound and outbound logistics, technology-enabled visibility and sector-specific operating models for industries such as automotive, healthcare, retail and technology.
E-commerce parcel delivery · 2019
DHL eCommerce
DHL eCommerce handles international parcel delivery and e-commerce logistics, connecting online merchants and marketplaces with consumers through domestic and cross-border parcel networks. Its activities include parcel acceptance, sorting, last-mile delivery, returns and shipment visibility, with services adapted to the requirements of online retail. DHL eCommerce supports online merchants and marketplaces through parcel delivery, fulfillment, returns and related cross-border services. It addresses the operational requirements created by high-volume digital commerce, including delivery convenience, international reach and the ability to scale with fluctuating consumer demand.
Domestic postal and parcel services · 1995
Deutsche Post
Deutsche Post is the group’s traditional German postal brand. It provides letter collection and delivery, business mail, domestic parcels and related postal services. The operation retains a nationwide infrastructure of access points, sorting facilities and delivery routes and remains distinct from the group’s international DHL-branded logistics businesses.
Electric delivery vehicles
StreetScooter
StreetScooter developed battery-electric vans for delivery and utility applications. DHL Group acquired the company to support electrification of its delivery fleet, including the Work and larger Work L concepts. The group later pursued a sale of the vehicle business, so StreetScooter is not treated as a core current DHL logistics service.
Postal and domestic parcel services
Deutsche Post mail and parcel services
Deutsche Post operates the group's German mail and parcel activities. These services include letter delivery, domestic parcels, business mail and associated collection and distribution infrastructure. The Deutsche Post name remains especially important for the group's national postal role, while DHL branding is used extensively for parcels and international logistics.

Marketing campaigns

2021Keep up with the clicks
More than 30 countries
DHL used a mixed-media television spot and digital advertising to present itself as an adviser and logistics partner helping merchants manage rapidly expanding e-commerce demand.
Source
2021No Time to Die
International
DHL marked its logistics partnership with the James Bond film No Time to Die through an international commercial using the franchise's action-oriented tone to communicate reliability in unusual or complex situations.
Source
2015The Power of Global Trade
International
The campaign connected DHL's logistics role with wider social and economic benefits, using stories involving education, healthcare and international commerce.
Source
2012Global customer reference campaign
International
The campaign used customer testimonials and business stories rather than purely visual brand advertising to demonstrate DHL's logistics capabilities.
Source
2010Excellence. Simply Delivered
21 countries and 16 languages
A group-wide integrated advertising concept presented DHL's business units under a more consistent customer promise centered on simplified services, expertise and sustainable solutions.
Outcome. The campaign created a unified global communications framework across DHL divisions.
Source
2010No One Knows
International
DHL Express targeted SMEs and internationally active businesses with messages about local market knowledge, cross-border expertise and time-critical shipping.
Source

Brand decisions

2022
Shift toward DHL Group corporate identityStrategy
Background
The group's international logistics businesses had become more prominent than its historic postal identity in global markets.
Action taken
External corporate communications increasingly used DHL Group, while Deutsche Post AG remained the legal listed company and Deutsche Post continued as the German postal brand.
Aftermath
The naming structure more clearly separated the group identity from its German mail and parcel operating brand.
Source
2021
Agreement to acquire J.F. Hillebrand GroupM&A
Background
DHL sought to strengthen ocean freight forwarding and specialized logistics during a period of disrupted global supply chains.
Action taken
The group agreed to acquire J.F. Hillebrand Group and related subsidiaries for approximately EUR 1.5 billion in cash, subject to regulatory approval.
Aftermath
The transaction was cleared in relevant jurisdictions and the business was integrated into DHL Global Forwarding, Freight.
Agreed transaction value. Approximately EUR 1.5 billion (Announced 2021)
Source
2016
Acquisition of UK MailM&A
Background
DHL sought to enlarge its United Kingdom parcel and business-mail presence.
Action taken
The group completed the purchase of UK Mail and integrated the operation into its European parcel network.
Aftermath
The business later operated under the DHL Parcel UK identity for domestic parcel services.
Reported acquisition price. US$315.5 million / approximately £243 million (2016)
Source
2014
Investment in StreetScooter electric vehiclesStrategy
Background
Postal delivery generated a large vehicle requirement and the group sought lower-emission alternatives for its fleet.
Action taken
DHL Group acquired StreetScooter and developed electric delivery vans for use in postal operations.
Aftermath
The vehicles supported fleet-electrification efforts, although the group later pursued a divestment of the vehicle manufacturer.
Source
2014
Acquisition of StreetScooterStrategy
Background
The group sought delivery-vehicle solutions aligned with operational innovation and lower-emission transport.
Action taken
Deutsche Post DHL acquired StreetScooter, a manufacturer of electric delivery vehicles.
Aftermath
StreetScooter became associated with the group's efforts to develop electric delivery fleets.
Source
2005
Acquisition of ExelM&A
Background
The group wanted to expand from express and postal services into large-scale corporate logistics and freight management.
Action taken
Deutsche Post acquired British logistics company Exel.
Aftermath
The transaction materially strengthened the group’s contract-logistics and freight-forwarding portfolio.
Reported transaction value. £3.7 billion / approximately €5.5 billion (2005)
Source
2003
Acquisition of Airborne ExpressM&A
Background
Deutsche Post sought stronger coverage in the United States and greater scale for its international express operations.
Action taken
The group acquired Seattle-based Airborne Express and incorporated it into the DHL express platform.
Aftermath
Airborne, Danzas, Van Gend & Loos and related operations were consolidated under DHL Express.
Source
2002
Complete acquisition of DHL InternationalM&A
Background
Deutsche Post was expanding from a national postal operator into international logistics and needed a global express platform.
Action taken
The group acquired the remaining shares of DHL International and integrated the business into its express operations.
Aftermath
DHL became the principal international logistics brand associated with Deutsche Post's global expansion.
Source
1995
Conversion of the postal authority into Deutsche Post AGStrategy
Background
German postal reform separated the operating postal business from the former public administration and introduced a commercial corporate structure.
Action taken
Deutsche Bundespost Postdienst became Deutsche Post AG, beginning the company’s privatization and commercial expansion.
Aftermath
The company was able to pursue acquisitions and international logistics activities while continuing its national postal role.
Source

Recent events

2026-10-19
DHL Group raises full-year 2026 earnings guidance[18]DHL集团上调2026全年业绩指引postandparcel.info
Reported: 2026-10-19
DHL Group announced higher full-year 2026 guidance, including reported Group EBIT expected to exceed EUR 7.0 billion, divisional EBIT expected to exceed EUR 6.4 billion, free cash flow (excluding Net M&A) expected to exceed EUR 3.2 billion, and capital expenditure expected to be around EUR 3.6 billion.

Sources19 sources

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