LEIPZIG, Germany - DHL Express, the express arm of Deutsche Post DHL, will continue to expand in China, but in a careful and cautious way, according to Charlie Dobbie, executive vice-president for network operations.
Dobbie told China Daily that DHL Express will continue to build on its partnership with State-owned logistics company Sinotrans Group and channel more investment into the service sector in China.
DHL entered China by setting up a 50-50 joint venture with Sinotrans in 1986. The DHL-Sinotrans joint venture acquired Shanghai Quanyi Express Co Ltd in 2008 to further develop its domestic network.
The Quanyi purchase was seen as a trendsetter for foreign express companies to grow in China through acquisitions.
"The move into the domestic arena was a logical step given the size and future of the market. We have a strong local partnership, and that model has given us the confidence to succeed in China," said Dobbie.
DHL Express will focus on the quality of service and work on growing its existing business, before considering more domestic acquisitions.
"We will be very careful about domestic acquisitions," he said.
The current investment focus for DHL in China is its planned hub in Shanghai, he said.
