DHL: Adrian Dalsey, Larry Hillblom, Robert Lynn
Thirty years ago a chance meeting between two men converted an idea into a global business. These men, Adrian Dalsey, a sales manager, Larry Hillblom, a law student/courier and Robert Lynn who joined them shortly thereafter to formed a company and made their initials a recognized global symbol for document transfers and express traffic.
Their basic idea - a courier service for documents was designed to serve the surface transportation industry. The ability to file ships documents at the port of entry prior to the arrival of the ship itself substantially reduced port time, improved service and reduced operating costs for shipping lines.
Their modest beginning with a second-hand car, no financing and funded by cash flow and credit card has become a global enterprise employing 68,000 people and serving 635,000 destinations.
The service began between Hawaii and San Francisco and rapidly expanded eastward throughout the Orient. Next the U.S.A. domestic market was targeted for expansion, rapidly followed by Europe, Africa and the rest of the world.
Today DHL operates 222 aircraft, 17,457 vehicles in 227 countries and employs more than 68,000 people. It has triggered reforms in the postal service, expanded its air express markets and moved into the general air cargo fold. Its client roster is international - its service quality enviable.
TIACA honors posthumously these three men as a team for creating a global enterprise which has made a significant contribution to world trade and is a major factor in air cargo transportation.
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