EXPRESS

Business units and market positions

Network for time-critical shipments spans the globe

The EXPRESS Division transports time-sensitive documents and goods reliably from door to door via fixed routes and using standardised workflows. Our network spans more than 220 countries and territories in which more than 100,000 employees serve over eight million customers.

In 2008 we expanded our reach for time-critical shipments. We now offer delivery before either 10.30am or 12.00pm in all major countries in the Americas region. In Europe and Asia, we increased capacities for delivering prior to 12.00pm in numerous countries, thus fortifying our already strong market position. In Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa, we have the most extensive coverage for premium deliveries, which reach their destination countries by the quickest possible route. We guarantee faster transit times than our competitors on the world’s central trade lanes, especially to and from Asia.

As a global network operator, we are well aware that the quality of our services is crucial in determining business success. Therefore, continuous improvement of our service levels is a must for us.

Standardised products and services meet all customer needs

Our three product lines – DHL Same Day, DHL Time Definite and DHL Day Definite – offer customers courier and express services in each of the three standard time segments.

Normally, our customers make use of our customer service numbers or the internet when ordering transport services. In Germany, we leverage the Deutsche Post retail outlets. We also maintain more than 30,000 Servicepoints outside of Germany, where ad hoc customers can drop off and pick up shipments and have them packed at no extra charge. The prices are standardised by weight class.

At a time when the environmental impact of business is a live issue, particularly with respect to the logistics sector, we are thus far the only express service provider to offer climate-neutral shipping products – our GoGreen programme.

Globalisation still driving growth

Historically, the global express market has grown at an average of 6% to 8% each year. Although growth has now slowed notably in line with the general economic downturn – decreasing from 3.7% in 2007 to 2.8% in 2008 – our business is still driven by globalisation. We maintain a strong position in all parts of the world and are the market leader in international express shipments in all regions outside of the United States.

2008 proved to be highly unusual, with the economic downturn accelerating during the course of the year, our gradual exit from the domestic US express business and strongly fluctuating fuel prices.

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