A brief overview of the top 10 European logistics players by revenue has been delineated below. In some cases the overview also indicates the long-term strategies of the organisations.

1 DPWN (Deutsche Post World Net + DHL) Turnover Europe: €13,700 bn (2009)
Deutsche Post World Net (DPWN), through its acquisition binge has become the epicentre of far-reaching changes in the European logistics market. Already, a world leading provider of mail, express, logistics and banking services with a turnover of €33.4 billion in 2002, DPWN incorporated DHL and Exel. It had revenues in 2008 of €57,210 bn and its businesses include those formerly owned by such names as Danzas, DHL, AEI, Airborne, ASG, Nedlloyd and Exel.

2 Schenker AG: Global Turnover: €19 bn
Schenker offers ground, air and sea freight forwarding, and is one of the largest logistics players in the world, with most of its revenues generated in Europe. In 2006 Schenker acquired Bax Global Forwarding. Global turnover in 2008 was €19 bn with around 90.000 employees.

3 Exel 2003 European Turnover: €3,342 mln
Exel is a world leader with 2.4 billion euros in contract logistics revenue. Nearly 35- 40% of its revenues are from Europe, mostly from the automotive, chemical, consumer, healthcare, industrial, retail, and IT industries. Exel has made enhancements to its freight management structure through the formation of a ‘Nordic’ team to deliver customized supply chain solutions for clients on a pan-Nordic level.

In 2005 Exel was acquired by DHL and branded DHL Exel Supply Chain Solutions.

4 Geodis 2003 European Turnover: €3,319 mln
Geodis is a major diversified transport and logistics group controlled by French Railways Group SNCF, which owns 44 percent of the company. It is one of the largest logistics companies in Europe and offers parcel, freight haulage, logistics and freight forwarding services. It also provides logistics and SCM services to automobile, pharma, and retail sectors.

5 Kuehne & Nagel 2003 European Turnover: €3,220 mln
Kuehne & Nagel, a global freight forwarder with an asset-light, high financial return business model is currently divesting its non-core businesses and developing contract logistics capabilities, a key element of K&N strategy. The company has global presence in sea and airfreight business, the former accounting for half of its income and has a logistics network across Germany, Great Britain, Scandinavia and Switzerland.

6 DSV 2003 European Turnover: €2,9 mln
De Sammensluttede Vognmænd (DSV) is one of Europe’s largest transport and logistics players with revenues of approximately €2.4bn. In 2002, the company sold 50% of its logistics division to establish a joint venture with TNT Logistics in the Nordic region.

7 TNT Logistics 2003 European Turnover: €2,122 mln
TNT Logistics provides out-sourced contract logistics solutions and is the second largest provider in the world. The majority of TNT revenue is generated in Europe and it is particularly strong in the automotive sector. The strategic goal of the company is to build economies of scale in selected industry sectors and critical mass in key geographic regions.

In 2006 TNT Logistics was sold and rebranded to CEVA Logistics. TNT Express remains a big player in the global express and mail business.

8 Wincanton 2003 European Turnover: €2,096 mln
Wincanton Plc. is a UK-based 3PL provider with a turnover of £812.1m (€1,185.6). It recently acquired P&O Trans European, a major European provider of contract logistics services, which will effectively double its revenues. Wincanton also has joint ventures with Kuehne & Nagel and Genco. After the acquisition of P&O TE, Wincanton has expanded its reach throughout the European market.

9 Panalpina 2003 European Turnover: €1,848 mln
Panalpina, a leading global player in forwarding and logistics, is strategically orientated towards core airfreight and seafreight business, especially for high-tech, healthcare, automotive and oil & gas industries. Panalpina has struck quite a few new contracts and extended some existing ones with Delphi Corporation, Bosch Group, ST Microelectronics.

10 Dachser 2003 European Turnover: €1,810 mln
Dachser, a German 3PL with a turnover of 1.9 billion euros in 2002 is one of the few family-owned companies in the European logistics industry. It has a leading pan- European network, providing the fastest connections in Europe - even to less central locations. As a specialist in transport and warehousing in the non-frozen segment, Dachser food logistics occupies the No. 2 position in Germany.

Source information: EyeforTransport