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What is the full form of DHL?

By Anushree Goswami Last updated : April 20, 2024

DHL is an abbreviation of Dalsey Hillblom Lynn. It is a branch of German logistics company Deutsche Post DHL which offers international shipping, parcel, courier and express mail services. The name of DHL is derived by using the primary alphabet of the last name of its founders; Adrian Dalsey, Larry Hillblom, and Robert Lynn. Its head office is situated in Bonn, Germany.

Image source: http://logok.org/dhl-logo/

The company provides work for around 300,000 staff all over the world. The availability of the services of this company is in more than 220 countries around the world. To provide service to its customers across the world, it utilizes various cargo transport systems such as planes, boats, and trains. The parent company of DHL is Deutsche Post World Net.

DHL Brief History

• In 1969, DFL was founded by Adrian Dalsey, Larry Hillblom, and Robert Lynn. It began functioning as a door-to-door express delivery service and transporting documents between San Francisco, California, and Honolulu, Hawaii.
• In 1970, DFL Company incorporated around 40 clients and it expanded its services to comprise Ohio, Portland, Guam, and Los Angeles.
• In 1973, it initiated its services in New Zealand, Indonesia, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Fiji.
• In 1979, it was offering services to more than 85,000 clients and working over 360 service centers.
• In 1984, the foremost computerized programmed client service system was founded in Washington DC, USA.
• By 1988, it was working in 170 countries with 16,000 members of staff strength.
  In 1988, DHL Budapest was also founded after the cooperative business enterprise of DHL with Hungary-based transport company, Hungarocamion.
• In 1990, DHL signed an international Transport Agreement with Japan Airlines, Nissho Iwai and Lufthansa Cargo.
• In 1996, it established a high-tech Express Logistic Centre in Singapore and launched an internet-based system to track shipments.
• In 1998, Deutsche Post AG obtained shares in DHL to bring into line its European ground-based services with DHL.
• In 1999, DHL introduced the DHL WAP Track, a tracking service for WAP-enabled mobile phones and devices.
• In 2001, DHL declared the development of a new UK airline.
• In 2000, DHL introduced the international SMS tracking service to allow its clients to follow the shipments through text messages.
• In 2002, Deutsche Post World Net got to hold on the greater part 51% of DHL shares and owned the DHL.
• In 2003, Deutsche Post World Net merged the whole express and logistic services of DHL into one distinct brand, DHL.