In 1930, when Thomas Dachser founded a transport company in Kempten, Germany, it was a one-man operation to transport cheese from the Allgäu/Bavarian region to Köln. To avoid empty trucks on the way back, Dachser began transporting industrial goods from German Rhineland back to Southern Germany.
This was how Dachser started the business. Today, with more than 90 years of history, the family-owned company provides transport logistics, warehousing and customized services in two fields: Dachser Air & Sea Logistics and Dachser Road Logistics. In Asia-Pacific, the company has operations in 45 locations. The regional head office is located in Hong Kong, with Dachser Hong Kong Ltd established in 1990. The company offers a wide spectrum of services in busy hubs like Shanghai, Incheon, Bangkok, Singapore, Mumbai, Busan, Laem Chabang and Nhava Sheva.
“Thanks to some 34,000 employees in 382 locations all over the world, Dachser generated consolidated net revenue of approximately €7.1 billion in 2023,” said Marcel Schmidt, Managing Director, Dachser Hong Kong Ltd.
With innovation as the key to sustainable success, the company is constantly innovating, and aims to be the most digitalized logistics provider in the world.
In the late 1960s, Thomas Simon, son-in-law of the company’s founder Thomas Dachser, developed the swap body concept, inspired by maritime shipping containers. A swap body is a type of freight container used for road and rail transport. The containers can be swapped between vehicles, increasing flexibility and efficiency of handling and transporting goods.
“After some initial reservations, the swap body became a groundbreaking innovation in overland logistics that revolutionized the entire industry,” said Schmidt.
In 1994, Dachser became the first logistics provider worldwide to establish the comprehensive usage of the Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC) across the entire logistics chain. The SSCC is the basis for seamless tracking and tracing, allowing registered users to find detailed information on all shipments.
To stay ahead in the market, the company relies on digitalized solutions that enable transparent processes, real-time shipment tracking, short response times, and precision control of supply chains. For example, the newly developed Dachser platform provides a customized, digital one-stop solution which enables end-to-end tracking across all freight routes, as well as customer connectivity tools.
Dachser has also been running a lab with the Fraunhofer IML in Dortmund, Germany since 2017, with the goal to research new technologies and applications in digitization.
One of the challenges Dachser is facing is supply chain diversification, with the Covid-19 pandemic highlighting its vital role in mitigating risks and building resilience.
“Disruptions in global supply chains emphasized the vulnerabilities of companies reliant on single sourcing locations, particularly in hard-hit regions like China,” said Schmidt, adding that the growing number of companies looking to move their manufacturing out of China posed challenges for Dachser in Hong Kong due to the decrease in the volume of goods passing through Hong Kong’s ports and airports. However, the company is seamlessly providing integrated logistics solutions to its clients.
“For example, if a customer in Hong Kong is looking for a connection with Vietnam logistics services provider, the Dachser team in Hong Kong directs the customer to Dachser Vietnam team,” said Schimdt. “This coordination between our global teams ensures customers receive consistent and reliable service regardless of their location or logistics needs.”
Schmidt said the company, which joined HKGCC this year, hopes to benefit from the wealth of networking opportunities offered by the Chamber. “HKGCC provides platforms for businesses to connect with other local businesses, professionals and community leaders, fostering valuable relationships and potential collaborations,” he said, adding that besides exposure to potential customers and partners and lending credibility to Dachser’s reputation, the Chamber’s training programs are also very useful.
DACHSER Hong Kong Ltd.
HKGCC Membership No. : HKD0824
Established : 1990
Website : http://www.dachser.hk