Logistics giant DHL employs over 380,000 people who help deliver 1.8 billion packages to more than 220 countries worldwide. Given these impressive numbers, it’s only normal to question who owns such a successful company.
Well, in this article, you’ll learn which country owns DHL, who the CEO is, and see how DHL operates in other countries, so keep reading to learn more!
Who Owns DHL in [currentyear]?
DHL is a privately owned German logistics company providing courier, package delivery, and Express mail services around the world in [currentyear]. It is a division of Deutsche Post. Deutsche Post began acquiring shares of the company in 1998 and had a controlling interest in the company by 2001. Deutsche Post is the successor to Deutsche Bundespost, the German mail authority.
There’s a lot more to know about who owns DHL, so you’d better keep reading to discover everything you need to know!
Which Country Is the Owner of DHL?
DHL is a German logistics company that provides courier, package delivery, and express mail services. It is a division of the German logistics company Deutsche Post.
Deutsche Post began acquiring shares of DHL in 1998 and had a controlling interest in it by 2001.
By the end of 2002, Deutsche Post had acquired all the remaining DHL stock. It then absorbed DHL’s operations into its Express division.
This move was an attempt to transition from a state-owned domestic shipping service to a giant in the global logistics industry.
Prior to this acquisition, DHL was an American company. It was founded in San Francisco, California in 1969 by three Americans: Adrian Dalsey, Larry Hillblom, and Robert Lynn.
Does the German Government Own DHL?
DHL is a private company owned by Deutsche Post AG (operating under the trade name Deutsche Post DHL Group).
Deutsche Post DHL Group is a German multinational package delivery and supply chain management company that is headquartered in Bonn, Germany.
This organization is the successor to the German mail authority Deutsche Bundespost, which was privatized in 1995. It became a fully independent company in 2000.
Given that Deutsche Bundespost was a government agency, it’s easy to see why there’s some confusion about whether the German government owns DHL.
Are Deutsche Post and DHL the Same?
DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL Group. This group is made up of different business units, including the following:
- DHL Packet
- DHL Express
- DHL Global Forwarding
- DHL Freight
- DHL Supply Chain
In other words, DHL is one aspect of Deutsche Post, but it’s not the only element of the business.
Who Is the CEO of DHL?
DHL’s current CEO is Dr. Frank Appel. He has held the position since February 2008 and will keep his position until May 2023.
After Dr. Appel’s mandate ends, Dr. Tobias Meyer will take over until March 2027.
Other board members include the following:
- Oscar de Bok (Supply Chain)
- Pablo Ciano (eCommerce Solutions)
- Nikola Hagleitner (Post and Parcel Germany)
- Melanie Kreis (Finance)
- Tobias Meyer (Global Business Services)
- Thomas Ogilvie (Human Resources)
- John Pearson (Express)
- Tim Scharwath (Global Forwarding and Freight)
Who Owns DHL Aviation?
DHL Aviation is a division of DHL and is owned by Deutsche Post. This division is responsible for providing air transport capacity.
It’s worth noting that DHL Aviation isn’t a single airline, but rather several airlines that are either owned, co-owned, or chartered by DHL Express.
DHL currently owns 6 main airlines, each of which provides services in a different global region. They are as follows:
- European Air Transport Leipzig (EAT Leipzig)
- DHL Air UK (DHL Air)
- DHL Aero Expreso
- SNAS/DHL (DHL International)
- Blue Dart Aviation
- DHL Air Austria
DHL also owns 3 smaller subsidiary airlines. They are DHL de Guatemala, DHL Ecuador, and DHL Aviation South Africa.
Which Companies Does DHL Own?
DHL shares its branding with other Deutsche Post business units, including DHL Express, DHL Global Forwarding, DHL Freight, DHL Supply Chain, and DHL Global Mail.
In terms of airlines, DHL also owns DHL Aviation, Blue Dart Aviation, European Air Transport, DHL Air UK, DHL Aero Expreso, and DHL International Aviation ME.
Who Owns DHL in India?
DHL Express (India) Private Limited is a transport, storage, and communications business that has operated in the country for more than 20 years.
Current board members and directors are Subramaniam Sivarama Ramachandran and Anjali Rahul Bhadbhade.
Who Owns DHL in Australia?
Germany-based logistics Service provider Deutsche Post AG owns DHL Express (Australia) Pty Limited.
This division employs about 1,200 people and is administered from its head office in Mascot, New South Wales.
To learn more, you can also see our posts on why DHL takes so long, USPS vs DHL, and DHL eCommerce.
Conclusion
While DHL might have started off as an American-based courier service between San Francisco and Hawaii, it’s now developed into a German-owned global logistics corporation.
In addition to providing parcel, express, and freight services, DHL also owns a number of aviation-related companies in countries all over the world.
