Transport Intelligence has announced its annual rankings of the largest contract logistics operators on a Global and regional basis. DHL Supply Chain, recently re-branded from DHL Exel Supply Chain, is once again the largest player in the market.
In 2008 it generated revenues in excess of 12 billion, some considerable distance ahead of its nearest rival CEVA. In third position is Swiss-based Kuehne + Nagel, meaning that the line up of the top three is unchanged from the year before.
In Europe, as on a global basis, DHL Supply Chain dominates the market. UK-based provider Wincanton is stronger in Europe than it is globally, which accounts for its second position. CEVA, which has major UK and Italian businesses, as well as smaller operations throughout the region, makes up the top three.
Although DHL Supply Chain is once again market leader in North America, there are a number of other major US-based providers challenging its dominance. These include Penske Logistics, Caterpillar Logistics Services, Ryder, UPS SCS, Schneider and Menlo.
The picture is very different in the Asia Pacific region where the market is led by the giant Japanese operators Hitachi, Sankyu and Mitsubishi. However taking Japan out of the mix, DHL Supply Chain once again is the leading multi-country player.
According to Tis Chief Executive, John Manners-Bell, the market was relatively calm in 2008 after years of change and upheaval. "With a downturn in volumes and margins being pressurized, contract logistics companies are focusing internally rather than looking for external opportunities. I believe this will continue to be the case in 2009 despite the general perception that distressed targets may soon be coming onto the market. As the market picks up in 2010 there is likely to be a surge of mergers and acquisitions activity."
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