MNG Kargo
2023
Why
To enter Turkey's domestic parcel market through DHL eCommerce.
Impact
Gave DHL eCommerce a national parcel network in Turkey.
Outcome
Operates as part of DHL eCommerce.
DHL Group
Global Logistics and Freight TransportationFounded 1969- HQ today: Bonn, Germany
Reviewed by Swet Parvadiya
Company data updated: October 2026
Acquisitions
DHL Acquisitions
5
Major Deals Covered
$1.1B
Disclosed Deal Value
What are DHL's biggest acquisitions?
DHL's largest disclosed acquisition here is Airborne Express for $1.1B in 2003. This page covers 5 major deals from 1998 to 2023, each with its price where disclosed and the reason behind it.
- Major deals covered
- 5
- Largest deal
- Airborne Express ($1.1B)
- First deal
- 1998
- Most recent
- 2023
| Company | Year | Price | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| DHL International | 1998 | Undisclosed | Deutsche Post began buying into DHL International in 1998 to add a global express network to its German postal business. |
| Airborne Express | 2003 | $1.1B | To gain a US domestic delivery network and compete with FedEx and UPS. |
| Exel plc | 2005 | Undisclosed | To add a large UK-based contract logistics and forwarding business, for about $4.88 billion (GBP 3.7 billion). |
| J.F. Hillebrand | 2022 | Undisclosed | To add a specialist forwarder for wine, beer, spirits and other beverages to Global Forwarding. |
| MNG Kargo | 2023 | Undisclosed | To enter Turkey's domestic parcel market through DHL eCommerce. |
- What companies has DHL bought?
- Major acquisitions by DHL documented here include Airborne Express (2003), MNG Kargo (2023), J.F. Hillebrand (2022), Exel plc (2005) and DHL International (1998).
- What is DHL's most recent acquisition?
- The most recent DHL acquisition documented here is MNG Kargo, in 2023.
J.F. Hillebrand
2022
Why
To add a specialist forwarder for wine, beer, spirits and other beverages to Global Forwarding.
Impact
Strengthened DHL's ocean freight and sector expertise.
Outcome
Hillebrand operates within DHL Global Forwarding, Freight.
Exel plc
2005
Why
To add a large UK-based contract logistics and forwarding business, for about $4.88 billion (GBP 3.7 billion).
Impact
Exel became the core of today's DHL Supply Chain division.
Outcome
DHL Supply Chain is now one of the world's largest contract logistics providers.
Airborne Express
2003
$1.1B
Why
To gain a US domestic delivery network and compete with FedEx and UPS.
Impact
The US domestic business struggled with costs and service quality and posted heavy losses.
Outcome
DHL stopped US domestic express shipments in 2008 and focused on international services.
DHL International
1998
Why
Deutsche Post began buying into DHL International in 1998 to add a global express network to its German postal business.
Impact
Deutsche Post raised its stake step by step and reached full ownership in 2002.
Outcome
The deal created the basis of today's DHL Group.
DHL Group's Growth & Acquisition Strategy
Under Strategy 2030, DHL is steering investment toward sectors and trade lanes that grow faster than GDP, including life sciences and healthcare logistics, e-commerce fulfillment and emerging markets in Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. It is also expanding automation in hubs and warehouses, and selling lower-emission services such as GoGreen Plus, backed by a pledge to spend ~$7.91 billion (EUR 7 billion) on climate-neutral logistics by 2030. The 2026 corporate reorganization separates Post & Parcel Germany into its own legal entity (Deutsche Post AG) under the listed DHL AG.
How DHL Group Makes Money
DHL makes money by charging for moving and managing goods across five divisions. Express sells time-definite international door-to-door delivery on its own air and road network and is the group's main profit driver. Global Forwarding, Freight buys air, ocean and road capacity from carriers and resells it with customs brokerage, earning a margin per shipment. Supply Chain runs outsourced warehouses, fulfillment and transport under multi-year contracts. eCommerce delivers domestic and cross-border parcels for online merchants outside Germany. Post & Parcel Germany delivers letters and parcels in Germany under the Deutsche Post and DHL brands, with letter prices set under German postal regulation.
DHL Acquisitions FAQ
What were the most important acquisitions that built DHL Group into a global logistics giant?
Key acquisitions include DHL International (1998 to 2002), Swiss forwarder Danzas (1999), Airborne Express (2003), UK contract logistics firm Exel (2005, about $4.88 billion (GBP 3.7 billion)), beverage forwarder J.F. Hillebrand (2022) and Turkish parcel carrier MNG Kargo (2023).
How did Deutsche Post acquire DHL between 1998 and 2002?
Deutsche Post acquired an initial minority stake in DHL International in 1998, increased its ownership to 51% in 2000, and acquired 100% full ownership in 2002, integrating all global express and parcel activities under the unified DHL brand.
Why was the 2005 acquisition of Exel plc a landmark deal for DHL?
The roughly $4.88 billion (GBP 3.7 billion) acquisition of UK-based Exel plc made DHL the largest contract logistics provider and became the core of today's DHL Supply Chain division.
What was the strategic rationale behind the 2022 acquisition of JF Hillebrand Group?
DHL acquired JF Hillebrand for ~$1.69 billion (€1.5 billion) to dominate the specialized ocean freight logistics of beverages, beer, wine, spirits, and non-hazardous bulk liquids, integrating high-margin temperature-controlled bulk container solutions.
Why did DHL acquire MNG Kargo in Turkey in 2023?
DHL eCommerce acquired leading Turkish parcel carrier MNG Kargo to tap into Turkey's rapidly expanding domestic and cross-border e-commerce corridor, connecting European and Middle Eastern online merchant routes.
How did the 1999 acquisition of Danzas establish DHL's freight forwarding network?
Deutsche Post acquired historic Swiss transport firm Danzas (founded 1815), combining it with Air Express International (AEI) to create Danzas AEI, which was later rebranded into DHL Global Forwarding and Freight.
Why did DHL acquire electric vehicle manufacturer StreetScooter in 2014?
DHL bought Aachen-based StreetScooter in 2014 to build electric delivery vans when automakers could not supply them at scale. It later stopped production and sold the business in 2022.
What is DHL Group's current M&A philosophy under Tobias Meyer?
DHL pursues disciplined, selective 'bolt-on' acquisitions that enhance geographic density in emerging markets, expand specialized cold-chain and pharmaceutical capabilities, or add e-commerce technologies that fit directly into existing divisional networks.
What companies has DHL acquired?
To build the modern empire, the parent company (Deutsche Post) executed massive acquisitions: buying the Swiss logistics giant Danzas in 1999, fully acquiring DHL in 2002, and aggressively buying Airborne Express in 2003 to gain a foothold in the US.
Related M&A Histories
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