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German transportation and logistics company From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
DB Schenker is a division of German rail operator Deutsche Bahn that focuses on logistics. The company was acquired by Deutsche Bahn as Schenker-Stinnes in 2002. It comprises divisions for air, land, sea freight, and Contract Logistics.
 | |
Headquarters near Frankfurt Airport | |
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | Logistics, freight transport |
| Predecessor | Schenker Stinnes Logistics |
| Headquarters | , |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Jochen Thewes (CEO) |
| Services | Land Transport, Air Freight, Ocean Freight, Contract Logistics, Lead Logistics |
| Revenue | €16.4 billion[2] |
Number of employees | 72,000[1] |
| Parent | Deutsche Bahn |
| Website | www.dbschenker.com |
In his biography, then CEO of Deutsche Bahn Hartmut Mehdorn justified the acquisition of international logistics companies with customer demand. In 2000, analysis had shown the 200 largest customers ship up to 60% of their freight abroad.[3] Since the core operating territory had been Germany, customers were lost to competitors with a more compelling international offer. There was no time to grow organically in such markets.[4] This analysis led to the acquisition of Stinnes AG and the associated brand name Schenker.
Since December 2007 DB Schenker has been the freight logistics subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn. DB Schenker combines all transport and logistic activities of Deutsche Bahn (except rail cargo), employing over 72,000 staff spread across about 2,000 locations in about 140 countries. In 2021, DB Schenker cooperated with logistics startup Volocopter to introduce heavy-lift drones.[5][6]
Since 2016, the UK operation has operated under the DB Cargo UK brand name. DB Schenker now is the biggest freight operator in the United Kingdom, and also operates the British Royal Train used by the Royal Family.[7]
In 2021, the company launched Schenker Ventures, its own venture capital arm to invest in innovation in the logistics industry.[8][9] Schenker Ventures announced its first investment in German logistics startup Warehousing1.[10][11][12]
In November 2021, DB Schenker announced a partnership with Swedish electric commercial vehicle manufacturer Volta Trucks after having signed a pre-order of 1,500 Volta Zero vehicles.[13]
By 2022, DB Schenker accounted for more than a third of Deutsche Bahn's sales.[14] In December 2022, the supervisory board of Deutsche Bahn instructed the company's management to prepare for the possible sale of up to 100% of DB Schenker.[15] In December 2023, Deutsche Bahn eventually launched the sales process.[16] By early 2024, at least seven companies had made non-binding offers for DB Schenker.[17] In September 2024, DSV agreed terms to purchase DB Schenker for €14.3 billion.[18][19]
Schenker AG and its subsidiaries handle worldwide logistics operations including Land Transport, Air and Ocean Freight as well as Contract Logistics/SCM, and is part of the DB Schenker organization. Since 2016, rail freight business no longer operates under the brand DB Schenker Rail. Instead, it operates as a standalone business unit under the brand name DB Cargo.[20] DB Schenker serves global and local firms across several industries. Notably, DB Schenker manages large and complex supply chains for multinationals such as Apple,[21] Procter & Gamble,[22] Dell,[23] ASML.[24] BMW[25]
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