Our Company History | Our Story

Once upon a time in logistics

From horse-drawn carriages to freighter drones, we have a lot of experience and many stories to tell. Take a look, and let’s see how you can become part of our future.

1872
Schenker & Co. is founded by Gottfried Schenker.
1997
New business areas: Schenker International, Logistics, and Eurocargo.
Today
We’re still on the way and ready for the future of transportation.

Feels like yesterday: our recent years

As logistics people, we’re used to a fast pace and accelerate our services each year.

Celebrating 150 years!

DB Schenker celebrates "150 Years Elevating Lives" with festivities on all continents.
DB Schenker presents digital innovations that strengthen supply chains and make them more sustainable.
Launch of many sustainable logistics options – such as global CO2-neutral air freight offer, eTrailers to decarbonize long hauls, emission-free ocean freight options, and the opening of its next renewable-powered mega hub DLC 3 in Dubai.
With the acquisition of USA Truck, DB Schenker expands its North American presence.

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Drones. Yes, you heard right.

Lufthansa Cargo and DB Schenker show a joint commitment on an aircraft.
DB Schenker invests in autonomous mobile robotics pioneer Gideon Brothers.
First-ever public flight of the heavy lift cargo drone VoloDrone.

DB Schenker Building Red Lion — 2020: DB Schenker’s new Singapore warehouse Red Lion marks 101-million-euro record investment in corporate history / © DB Schenker

We’re into the future

First commercial carbon neutral cargo flight in history.
The new Singapore warehouse Red Lion marks a record investment in its corporate history of 101 million EUR.

DB Schenker electric truck of the Oslo fleet — 2019, February: DB Schenker first to run Volvo’s fully electric powered distribution truck in daily traffic +

Passion-powered solutions

DB Schenker is first to run Volvo’s fully electric-powered distribution truck in daily traffic.
Opening of first low-carbon distribution terminal in Norway – Oslo City Hub.
Opening of a full solar-powered logistics center in Dubai.

The beginning of the 21st century

2018
- Introduction of what3words startup.
- First with 3D printing solutions: DB Schenker is the world’s first logistics service provider offering its customers an extensive 3D printing service.
- Introduction of an intelligent scanning glove in Germany.
2017
- DB Schenker opens its largest logistic center in Madrid, Spain – EUR 22 million investments.
- New IT center opens in Warsaw.
2016
- As official co-partner of the German Olympics and exclusive logistics partner for the German House, DB Schenker is involved in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
- In Dubai, DB Schenker opens its first logistics center in the Middle East.
- DB Schenker has invested in the digital future by signing a long-term partnership agreement with global marketplace uShip.
2015
- Next generation e-commerce: DB Schenker continues to strengthen its e-commerce logistics sector with Carry Pick, a system of robotics and automated packaging.
- DB Schenker is a partner of MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS and is responsible for the european logistics for the Formula 1 team.
- DB Schenker opens its largest and most advanced terminal in Viinikkala, Finland.
2014
- DB Schenker has been located in Hamburg for 125 years.
- DB Schenker is exclusive logistics partner of the German House in Sochi 2014.
2012
- DB Schenker celebrates its 140th anniversary.
- DB Schenker ships 100 containers loaded with high-tech equipment for the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 safely to Baku, Azerbaijan and back again.
- DB Schenker takes care of the equipment for the stadiums and the media at the venues in Poland and Ukraine.
- As official co-partner of the German Olympic Team London 2012, DB Schenker supports the smooth course of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London 2012.
2011
- In Leipzig, DB Schenker builds a new logistics center to supply automotive plants in China and South Africa. DB Schenker is involved in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011™ as the official logistics service provider.
2010
- DB Schenker opens a new logistics center in Pardubice, Czech Republic, and at Gothenburg Landvetter Airport in Sweden.
- The national company in Spain enters the market under the name of DB Schenker Spain-Tir.
- Company founder Gottfried Schenker is posthumously included in the "Logistics Hall of Fame" for his contributions to the development of logistics.
- DB Schenker celebrates the 50th anniversary of its operations in Argentina and its 40th anniversary in Singapore.
- DB Schenker opens a new terminal in Salzburg at a cost of EUR 26 million to serve as a hub for goods shipped throughout Europe.
- For the RUHR.2010 "Still-life A40/B1" street festival, DB Schenker organizes and sets up 20,000 tables and benches on the A40 autobahn.
- DB Schenker offers a product designed specifically for an economical combination of road and rail in European land transport.
- DB Schenker is involved in the Winter Olympic Games and Paralympics in Vancouver, Canada, as an official service provider.
2009
- DB Schenker opens its new air freight center, the largest hub of its kind in the company’s network, at Frankfurt International Airport.
- In the US, BAX Global is integrated into DB Schenker.
- With the acquisition of S.C. Romtrans S.A., DB Schenker now has a dense network throughout Romania and becomes one of the leading national service providers.
- DB Schenker launches the "DB Eco Program", an initiative designed to reduce carbon emissions.
2007
- Opening of first multimodal logistics center in Finland.
- Acquisition of Spain-Tir.
2006
- New structure at DB Logistics.
- Acquisition of BAX Global.
- New logistics hub North Asia in Korea.
2005
- Schenker logistics center for consumer goods in Willebroek, Belgium, starts operations.
- Strengthening of the network in Russia and of the market position in Norway with Linjegods.
2004
- Integration of Schenker and Spedpol positions Schenker as one of the leading providers of integrated logistics in Poland.
- 'A-Class' license for new subsidiary in the growth market China.
2003
- Official supplier to the IOC for freight forwarding and customs clearance services for the Olympic Games (Athens 2004, Turin 2006, Beijing 2008).
- Integration of Schenker and Joyau in France.
2002
- Schenker celebrates its 130th birthday.
- Schenker and Seino merge their international and logistics activities in Japan into Schenker-Seino Ltd.
- The Integrated Logistics Centre Narita, Tokyo is opened.
- Deutsche Bahn takes over majority of Stinnes.
2001
- Merger of Schenker-BTL (Deutschland) AG and Schenker International Deutschland GmbH to form Schenker Deutschland AG.
2000
- Opening of the Integrated Logistics Center Rotterdam.
- Schenker, Inc. named for the Salt Lake City 2002 Olympic Winter Games.
- Schenker and Deutsche Bahn establish Railog joint venture for rail related logistics services.

How 100 years just flew by

For one whole century we’ve been there for our clients. We’ve taken on new challenges and new partnerships always with the best solution in mind.

125 years of history

1999

Schenker Australia is appointed official freight forwarder of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Strategic alliance between Schenker and Seino.

1998

Coordination of land transport operations in Europe at Schenker and BTL under the Schenker-BTL name.

1997

Schenker looks back on 125 years of history.
Schenker AG repositions itself by divesting the bulk cargo business and forming three new business areas: Schenker Logistics, Schenker International and Schenker Eurocargo.
The shareholding in the Swedish company BTL-AB, Gothenburg, gives birth to Europe’s leading transportation and logistics provider.

1996

Stinnes air and sea freight, land transport, handling/logistics and seaport activities are grouped under the umbrella of Schenker-Rhenus AG.

Exploring new shores

1991

Stinnes AG acquires a majority stake in Schenker from the German railroad company Deutsche Bundesbahn.

1989

Company decides to introduce SWORD (Schenker’s Worldwide Online Realtime Data Network) and EDIFACT standards.

1972

Schenker becomes the official freight forwarder for Munich Olympics.
Coinage of JETcargo, SEAcargo and Eurocargo as trade marks for bulk transportation by air, sea, rail and road.

1967

Dedicated office is founded in Taiwan to oversee Taiwan market.

1966

Dedicated company is founded in Hong Kong to oversee asian market.

1947

Subsidiary is established in the USA; internationalization and air freight are pursued on a large scale.

A large ship carrying containers on the sea

First times

Schenker is acquired by the German Railways.
First sea freight container shipments.

Schenker’s role during National Socialism (1931-1945)

In 1931, Schenker & Co. GmbH is taken over by the then Deutsche Reichsbahn and is henceforth under state control. After the seizure of power by the National Socialists in 1933, the Jewish managing director Marcell Holzer is removed from office and arrested, while decisive positions in management and supervisory bodies are filled with NSDAP party members.

As early as 1933, the supervisory bodies and management dismiss Jewish employees in Germany and later also in the foreign subsidiaries, with a few exceptions.

During the Second World War, Schenker participates extensively as a freight forwarder in the armaments and war economy and actively benefits from its close ties to the Deutsche Reichsbahn. Schenker expands its entrepreneurial activities, especially in the occupied and conquered territories of Eastern and Central Europe.

Schenker transports war-important goods, munitions and war material, and also undertakes transports for the Wehrmacht, the military economy as well as military supplies. Schenker is also involved in the "eviction transports" of confiscated and looted goods.

In 1944, Schenker is appointed "Trusted Freight Forwarder of the Reich".

Schenker’s role during National Socialism is currently being investigated as part of a comprehensive scientific study by the Gesellschaft für Unternehmensgeschichte. The study is intended to help answer to date open research questions. The research questions focus on Schenker’s active involvement in "aryanizations" and forced labor. Once the work has been completed, its results will be published.

How it all started

Everybody starts somewhere, we started in 1872. Find out about our first steps on the way to create innovative logistic and transportation solutions worldwide.