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1971 - DHL expands its network

DHL expands its network at high speed. Following expansion in the Far East and in the Pacific Rim (1971), DHL also begins offering services in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia (1972) and later in Europe (1974), Latin America (1977), the Middle East and Africa (1978).  

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The History of DHL Group

More than 500 years of postal history - from the founding of the modern postal system to the establishment of the world's leading logistics group.

2024 - 2011

Strategy 2030 logo

Strategy 2030 – Accelerate sustainable growth

2024
 Cargo ship in the harbor

The Group acquires J.F. Hillebrand Group

2022
 DHL van

Accelerated roadmap to decarbonization

2021
 DHL ecommerce delivery

GoTrade - Through trade to prosperity

2020
 DHL warehouse

New division DHL eCommerce Solutions

2018
 CEO Frank Appel

Group commits to net zero emissions logistics by 2050

2017
 DHL Group headquarters

UK Mail acquisition

2016
 Opening ceremony

DHL expands global hub for the Americas

2013
 DHL Express North Asia Hub

Market position in Asia expanded & All mail centers modernized

2012
 GARD trainer and crew

GARD expands disaster management

2011

2010 - 2001

CEO Frank Appel

Strategy 2015 & Sale of Postbank

2009
 Leipzig Hub

Leipzig/Halle air hub & Climate protection program GoGreen

2008
 DHL Innovation Center

Opening of the DHL Innovation Center

2007
 DHL Group Employees

"First Choice" service campaign

2006
 Exel container

The Group acquires Exel & Majority of Deutsche Post shares held privately

2005
 Postbank card

Postbank goes public

2004
 DHL in a new design

A new brand for the worldwide express and logistics business

2003
 DHL-Flugzeug

Deutsche Post acquires DHL

2002
 Annual General Meeting

Deutsche Post AG's first Annual General Meeting after the IPO

2001

2000 - 1969

IPO in 2000

Deutsche Post AG goes public

2000
 Danzas container

Acquisition of Danzas and AEI & Acquisition of Postbank

1999
 Letter sorting machine

"Letter 2000" concept becomes reality

1998
 Globalization

The age of globalization dawns at Deutsche Post

1997
 Parcels on conveyer belt

Fast parcel delivery thanks to extensive investment

1996
 Certificate

Deutsche Post AG, Deutsche Postbank AG & Deutsche Telekom AG

1995
 Stamp on the occasion of German reunification

East German Deutsche Post is incorporated into Deutsche Bundespost

1990
 Politicians and managers

Deutsche Bundespost Postdienst, DBP Postbank & DBP Telekom

1989
 Sinotrans logo

DHL in China

1986
 DHL parcels

DHL offers parcel delivery

1979
 Globe

DHL expands its network

1971
 Founders of DHL

Founding of DHL

1969

1950 - 1490

Deutsche Post motorcycle courier and VW Beetle

Founding of Deutsche Bundespost

1950
 Motorcycle couriers

Deutsche Reichspost is founded as an independent enterprise

1924
 Post and telegraph office

Under Bismarck, the Empire's post & telegraph administration is united

1876
 Portrait of Heinrich von Stephan

Foundation of the Universal Postal Union by Heinrich von Stephan

1874
 Portrait of Louis Danzas

Founding of Danzas

1815
 Prussian state postal service

Friedrich Wilhelm of Prussia founds Prussian state post office

1646
 von Taxis crest

Franz von Taxis founds the modern postal system

1490

 Photos from 1950, 1924, 1876, 1874, 1646, 1490: © Museumsstiftung Post und Telekommunikation