DHL is an international mailing company owned by the Deutsche Post, who specializes in express mailings. The company was founded in 1969 and originally provided shipping services between the Continental United States and Hawaii. Today, DHL has expanded to provide shipping services to over 220 countries and has more than 170,000 employees worldwide. DHL competitors include FedEx, UPS, and the USPS.

DHL announced in November 2008 that due to the weakened state of the U.S. economy they will discontinue air and ground operations in the United States at the end of January 2009. The company will eliminate all ground hubs, as well as reduce the number of U.S. stations from 412 to 103, resulting in job cuts of 9,500 employees.CNN: DHL announces 9,500 job cuts (November 10, 2008)

In 1969, Adrian Dalsey, Larry Hillblom and Robert Lynn (D, H, and L) founded DHL as a service shuttling bills of lading between San Francisco and Honolulu."

This is the right move for our U.S. Express operations given the current economic climate and for the long run. Focusing our U.S. Express efforts on what we do better than anyone else - international shipping - serves the best interests of our customers, employees and shareholders around the world. Making a decision that affects the lives of many dedicated employees is never easy, but this is the best path forward for our company,—John Mullen, Global CEO of DHL Express.Official Site: Press Release (November 10, 2008)

1. 1969: Founded by Adrian Dalsey, Larry Hilblom, and Robert Lynn
2. 1986: Became first company to bring international air express services into China
3. 2002: Officially purchased by Deutsche Post
4. 2002: DHL Flight 611 collided with a passenger jet over Germany due to miscommunication between the two pilots and air traffic control, resulting in the deaths of all 71 people aboard the two planes
5. 2003: Acquired Airborne Express
6. 2008: DHL announces it will discontinue U.S. air and ground service as at the end of January 2009