HISTORY

In 1930 Thomas Dachser founds the haulage company of the same name as a one-man operation. The head office is in Kempten. The main product shipped is Allgäu cheese, which Dachser transports to the Rhineland. In order to utilize the cargo space on the return journey, he acquires industrial goods in the Rhineland for the Allgäu region. In 1934 the family-owned company begins to expand; locations in Memmingen and Neuss open. By 1938, Dachser has twenty vehicles, most owned by the company, establishing itself as one of the leading freight forwarding companies in the Allgäu region.

Developments in logistics
The state railways in the German Reich are regional monopolies, and dominate the transport for passengers and goods. Increasing volumes of transported goods in the 1920s boost the growth of the Reichsbahn railway network. At the same time, businesses increasingly recognize that flexible truck transport offers major advantages in terms of service and cost.

Major events
1931: Empire State Building completed in New York
1936: Olympic Games in Berlin

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.

Developments in logistics
Bit by bit, the Nazi regime in Germany eventually brings the entire transport industry under its control and uses it to support the war machine. Starting in 1939 the transport of essential military goods is given top priority. After all transport structures collapse in 1945, the main priority is to provide the population with basic necessities.

Major events
1938: Volkswagen plant founded
1945: Second World War ends with Germany’s total capitulation
1949: Founding of the Federal Republic of Germany, the German Democratic Republic and NATO

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.

Developments in logistics
A strong economic upswing lays the foundation for a booming transport market. The initial goal is simply to transport goods from A to B. Customers increasingly request European freight services, while customs and border clearance procedures impose significant restrictions. Demand also grows for air and sea freight services.

Major events
1951: Germany, France, Italy and the Benelux countries found the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC)
1953: End of the Korean War
1958: World Fair in Brussels

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.

Developments in logistics
The transport systems of the 1950s are expanded and the era of freight forwarding begins. For the first time, containers are used in combined road and sea transport. This new technology (which separates the loading space from the vehicle itself) is also used for pure road freight, boosting the rate of worldwide transport. The founding of EFTA and the EEC forms the economic foundation for expanding international European freight services.

Major events
1961: The Berlin Wall is erected
1967: Founding of the European Community
1969: First moon landing
1973: Oil crisis

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.

Developments in logistics
Treaties by the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and European Economic Community (EEC) create conditions that allow transport and freight forwarding companies, which previously operated on a primarily national basis, to work internationally. Developments in data processing ease administrative tasks and present the company with new organizational challenges.

Major events
1974: US President Richard Nixon resigns in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal
1976: The first G7 Summit with Germany, the US, Japan, the UK, Canada, France and Italy
1978: The first PC is introduced

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.

Developments in logistics
In the course of internationalization brought by the opening up of the European single market, businesses increasingly transfer their logistics processes to specialized service providers. Outsourcing – along with concentrating on a company’s own core competences – becomes the standard.

Major events
1989: Fall of the Iron Curtain
1990: German Reunification
1994: Eurotunnel opens between France and England

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 launches joint ventures in India, Thailand, Brazil and Chile. In 2008, Dachser achieves sales of EUR 3.6 billion with 18,100 employees. The company has 305 locations worldwide.

Developments in logistics
Freight forwarding companies make the transition into logistics providers. Transport, transshipment and warehousing are no longer considered separate from procurement, production and sales – they are now considered to be cross-sectional functions. IT and the intelligent integration of people, goods and systems play an increasingly important role.

Major events
2001: Resources become increasingly scarce and awareness of environmental issues grows
2002: The euro is introduced in the EU
2004: The EU expands to 25 member states