Interview with John Pearson, CEO of DHL Express to mark DHL’s 50th anniversary
In 1969, Adrian Dalsey, Larry Hillblom, and Robert Lynn had a revolutionary idea. They transported cargo vessels’ shipping documents in hand luggage on board aircraft. This allowed customs clearance to begin before the ships arrived, reducing waiting times in the port. It marked the birth of a new industry – international air express service – and the start of DHL’s journey. Let’s celebrate 50 years of DHL!
We’re proud
John, you have been an integral part of DHL’s history for many years and have witnessed some of the company’s major milestones. What are you particularly proud of?
DHL revolutionized the world economy 50 years ago with an idea. And today, as the world’s leading logistics company, Deutsche Post DHL Group’s aspiration is still to connect people all over the world. With innovative logistics and transport solutions, we want to help simplify their everyday lives, whether private or professional. I have been a part of this Group for over 33 years, and I can look back on many developments of ours that have had a lasting impact on the industry.
We use innovative technologies to make delivery and transport more efficient. We use augmented reality and robotics solutions. Our autonomous drone delivers medicine to a remote island in Lake Victoria. In China, we supply important documents twice a day. Our self-developed StreetScooter addresses future logistics and environmental challenges.
A sustainable future
On that topic, one of the most important issues of our time is sustainability, and the expectations in regard to logistics in the next 50 years are likely to increase further. What will DHL’s contribution in this area be in the long term?
In 2008, the Group pledged to improve carbon efficiency by 30% by the year 2020 compared to the 2007 baseline. We achieved that goal as early as 2016 and established ourselves in the market as experts in green logistics solutions. As a company with global operations, we have a special responsibility and are doing everything we can to ensure that our ecological footprint is as small as possible. For that reason, we want to reduce transport-related emissions to zero by 2050. Our journey along that path has already begun, and I am confident that we will achieve this important milestone for our Group – not only via the very ambitious interim targets that we have set ourselves for the year 2025, but also through the many campaigns and events launched as part of our anniversary year as a feature of our “Mission 2050: Zero Emissions” sustainability strategy.
Let’s celebrate!
So how is 50 years of DHL being celebrated?
Throughout the year, various anniversary events are being held for our employees, customers and partners. For example, we donated and delivered two Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centers equipped with modern computers to SOS Children’s Villages Colombia to provide the children with access to up-to-date technology and a better education. We are also celebrating Beethoven’s legacy and DHL’s anniversary by using our logistics expertise to transport the “BTHVN on tour” anniversary exhibition as it makes its way through Germany, the US and, from 2020, other countries in Europe and Asia. Each of our 100,000 Express employees around the world has received a special edition coffee table book, a large-format illustrated volume outlining the history of DHL’s origins.
As a founding member and global logistics partner of Formula E, we also organized an online fan competition entitled “50 Moments that Delivered” on the occasion of the 50th Formula E race. The winner, a fan from Australia, got to travel to the season finale in the US as a fan reporter, sharing his impressions live from the track via DHL’s social media channels.
We’re assisting Bryan Adams as his official logistics partner for his “Shine A Light” tour. Our tree planting campaign is the highlight. We want to set an example for climate protection. We’ve pledged to plant one tree for every concert ticket sold. We’ll plant one million trees worldwide this year. Around 300,000 trees have been planted in Indonesia, Nicaragua, Malawi and the US.
As you can see we’re ready for at least 50 more years of DHL 🙂
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