As I write this introduction, the volcanic ash cloud that has covered much of Europe for over a week has just about dispersed. For our business, as for most of yours, it will take some time before service levels are back to normal.

Here at DHL, teams worked around the clock to ensure all possible contingencies were put in place to deal with the challenges that the closure of much of the European airspace brought to our customers. Among other measures, we put in place an impressive road network across Europe in the shortest possible time, and our sales and progam management teams did all they could to support customers. Already we have had positive feedback from many of you, and I want to assure you that we will do all we possibly can to assist you in managing issues until normal service levels can be re-established.

Global trade has certainly experienced its fair share of turbulence in the past two years – so it is heartening to see that at least the global economic environment appears to be showing some first signs of recovery. As global trade is picking up, and business emerges from the recent challenges, there are strong indications that focus on cost and optimizing supply chains are two key drivers which are here to stay.

One customer which managed well throughout the downturn is Samsung, and in this edition of One Voice, we are pleased to hear from their European Logistics Manager. Meanwhile, the Automotive Industry would not necessarily be top of mind as a poster child for economic recovery, however, as you will see in our highlight feature on this sector, this is the time for a remarkable transformation of the industry, with logistics playing a key role in the process. The sector is also growing strongly in India, as the country emerges as a global force to be reckoned with.

This edition features the work of our Supply Chain Optimization team, which saw a marked increase in requests for consultancy last year, from customers wanting to optimize their logistics as part of their overall revenue optimization. With cost reductions averaging 10-15%, it is clear to see why customer satisfaction with this service is at 90% overall.

At DHL Global Customer Solutions, we recognize the need to continually add value to our customers’ business. This year, we are more than ever poised to work in partnership with you, to identify ways of increasing the efficiency of your supply chain and develop sustainable solutions that help you retain a competitive edge.

Yours sincerely,



Rob Siegers
Chief Operating Officer
DHL Global Customer Solutions