History
DACHSER – a success story
1930 – 1938: Years of foundation
In 1930, Thomas Dachser founds the haulage company of the same name as a one-man operation. The head office is in Kempten, Germany. The main product shipped is Allgaeu cheese, which DACHSER transports to the Rhineland. In order to utilize the cargo space on the return journey, Thomas Dachser acquires industrial goods in the Rhineland for the Allgaeu region. In 1934, the family-owned company begins to expand with new locations in Memmingen and Neuss. By 1938, DACHSER has twenty vehicles, most owned by the company, establishing itself as one of the leading freight forwarding companies in the Allgaeu region.
1939 – 1949: Post-war reconstruction
During the war, the Nazi regime requisitions almost all of DACHSER's vehicles, and most of the company’s personnel as well. In 1945, the rebirth begins after the nearly total destruction of the company’s premises in Kempten and its branches. But old and new contacts quickly revive the relaunched business. In 1949, “Thomas Dachser Spedition” is entered into the commercial register.
1950 – 1960: Growth of the world economy
From 1950, DACHSER develops a full-coverage network in Germany. The logistics provider establishes and expands international freight services – by land, sea and air. The air freight business is launched on 2 October 1951. DACHSER Air & Sea Logistics begins its successful run when it is granted an IATA licence by the International Air Transport Association. In 1955, the partnership with the newly-founded Lufthansa airline is established with a contract. By the end of the 1950s, DACHSER has some 1,100 employees and generates sales of over DEM 70 million.
1961 – 1973: Early innovations
Transport with guaranteed deadlines and swap bodies: Starting in 1961, DACHSER reacts to the growing demands of the world economy with innovative products and services.
DACHSER is a founding member of Kombiverkehr KG, which formed in 1969. Its goal is to find intelligent solutions for networking road and railway transport. In 1967, DACHSER introduces a groundbreaking innovation that represents the market’s first “freight forwarding product”: transport with guaranteed deadlines (“Garantie”). In 1971 DACHSER converts its entire vehicle fleet to swap bodies. This step shapes the future of the entire industry. DACHSER continues to develop its German and European branch and partner networks.
DACHSER USA was founded in 1972 with is first office in New York to serve the growing local customer base in the United Staates and to meet their worldwide logistics needs.
1974 – 1988: From the industrial age to the age of IT
Company founder Thomas Dachser dies in 1979. His daughters, Dr Christa Rohde-Dachser and Annemarie Simon take over the shares in the company, preserving the continuity of the family-owned company. In 1980, DACHSER begins investing in the strategic development of its IT capabilities and new communications technologies. The logistics company becomes an exclusive member of the World Air Cargo Organization (WACO) in 1981. In 1982 the company introduces refrigerated goods services, known today as DACHSER Food Logistics, which specializes in transporting temperature-sensitive foods.
1989 – 1998: Realignment after the Iron Curtain falls
In 1990 DACHSER is the first western German freight forwarding company to provide service throughout eastern Germany. DACHSER is also a trendsetter with the barcode, which the company introduces as a standard in 1993. The air and sea freight divisions merge in 1994 to form today’s DACHSER Air & Sea Logistics, creating an independent business segment within the DACHSER organization.
1999 to today: Worldwide organic growth
In 1999, DACHSER expands its European network with the acquisition of Graveleau, a French logistics provider. Four years later, the company develops Active Report, a supply chain event management tool that automatically informs customers about irregularities in their shipment processes. DACHSER's Global programme massively expands the company’s network of branches in Asia and Latin America. The logistics provider starts operating in India, Thailand, Brazil and Chile. In 2012, Dachser achieves sales of EUR 4.41 billion with 21,650 employees. The company has 347 locations worldwide.
