How three friends with suitcases and credit cards built a global logistics empire
Founded in 1969 by Dalsey, Hillblom, and Lynn, DHL began as a scrappy courier service moving documents between Hawaii and San Francisco. Today, the German-owned giant operates a massive international network, navigating complex global sanctions and shifting logistics landscapes while managing everything from vaccine distribution to sustainable electric delivery fleets.
The company originated from a simple, innovative concept: transporting bills of lading for Seatrain Lines. Larry Hillblom, then a law student, used his student loans to launch the venture alongside Adrian Dalsey and Robert Lynn. The trio utilized corporate credit cards to book flights, personally carrying documents in suitcases across the Pacific. By the 1970s, they had expanded internationally, eventually becoming the third-largest courier behind FedEx and UPS.
A major turning point occurred in 1998 when Deutsche Post began acquiring shares, eventually absorbing DHL into its Express division by 2002. This transition allowed the brand to expand across various business units, including supply chain management and global forwarding. The company’s reach is vast; it maintains a unique position as a German-owned entity, enabling it to operate in regions restricted by U.S. sanctions, such as Cuba and North Korea, while also serving as the sole provider for transferring U.S. mail in and out of Iraq and Afghanistan.
In recent years, the company has pivoted toward aggressive sustainability goals, aiming for zero logistics-related emissions by 2050. This includes the acquisition of electric vehicle manufacturer StreetScooter and the integration of solar technology into its truck fleets. Despite its scale, the firm remains subject to the volatility of global trade, as evidenced by recent adjustments to U.S. customs rules and strategic mergers, such as the 2025 integration of its UK parcel business with Evri to bolster international capacity.
Source: DHL
