DHL 2008 Annual Report Download - page 63

Deutsche Post World Net Annual Report 2008
EXPRESS
Business units and market positions
Network for time-critical shipments spans the globe
 e  Division transports time-sensitive documents and goods reliably
from door to door via  xed routes and using standardised work ows. Our network
spans more than  countries and territories in which more than , employees
serve over eight million customers.
In  we expanded our reach for time-critical shipments. We now o er
delivery before either . am or . pm in all major countries in the Americas
region. In Europe and Asia, we increased capacities for delivering prior to . pm
in numerous countries, thus fortifying our already strong market position. In Eastern
Europe, the Middle East and Africa, we have the most extensive coverage for premium
deliveries, which reach their destination countries by the quickest possible route. We
guarantee faster transit times than our competitors on the world’s central trade lanes,
especially to and from Asia.
As a global network operator, we are well aware that the quality of our services
is crucial in determining business success.  erefore, continuous improvement of our
service levels is a must for us.
Standardised products and services meet all customer needs
Our three product lines –  Same Day,  Time De nite and  Day
De nite – o er customers courier and express services in each of the three standard
time segments.
Normally, our customers make use of our customer service numbers or the
inter net when ordering transport services. In Germany, we leverage the Deutsche Post
retail outlets. We also maintain more than , Servicepoints outside of Germany,
where ad hoc customers can drop o and pick up shipments and have them packed at
no extra charge.  e prices are standardised by weight class.
At a time when the environmental impact of business is a live issue, particularly
with respect to the logistics sector, we are thus far the only express service provider to
o er climate-neutral shipping products – our GoGreen programme.
Globalisation still driving growth
Historically, the global express market has grown at an average of  to  each
year. Although growth has now slowed notably in line with the general economic down-
turn – decreasing from .  in  to .  in  – our business is still driven by
globalisation. We maintain a strong position in all parts of the world and are the market
leader in international express shipments in all regions outside of the United States.
 proved to be highly unusual, with the economic downturn accelerating
during the course of the year, our gradual exit from the domestic  express business
and strongly  uctuating fuel prices.
Regions and products
• Europe
• Americas
• Asia Pacific
• EEMEA (Eastern Europe,
Middle East and Africa)
DHL • Same Day
DHL • Time Definite
DHL • Day Definite
Page 82
Group Management Report
Divisions
59