“Despite blocked sea lanes and closed airspace, we are keeping supply chains running,” says DHL CEO Tobias Meyer. The company reported two percent volume growth in the first quarter of 2026, with revenue of €20.4 billion slightly below the previous year's level, solely due to currency effects. One of the drivers of this growth is specialized IT transport.
According to the company, the logistics group has had a successful start to 2026. The group reported "active capacity management, structural cost improvements, and price adjustments." an 8.3 percent increase in operating profit (EBIT) to €1.5 billion, "After the first three months, we are well on track to achieve our annual targets. Our successful start to the year underscores the resilience of our business model and the effectiveness of our efficiency measures"said Meyer.
Successful start to the year
Meanwhile, the company is expanding its capabilities for the growing global data center market. In North America, more than ten additional warehouse locations with a total capacity of over 650,000 square meters are being built by the end of 2026. The new locations are specifically designed for data center operators who are rapidly expanding their capacity and require reliable and secure supply chains. The sites offer white-glove handling., server rack pre-configuration, and specialized transportation directly from the warehouse to the deployment site
Post Tower in Bonn
White-glove handling ensures that servers, power modules, and network systems are transported under strictly controlled conditions to prevent damage and thus costly delays. Pre-configuration of the server racks shifts critical integration work and functional testing from active construction sites to the protected storage environment.
«White glove handling»
The transport from the warehouse directly to the data center site is also designed for oversized and particularly sensitive components – regardless of whether these need to be moved through densely populated areas, active construction sites, or to remote new developments. Shifting critical work steps to secure logistics centers allows operators to build faster while simultaneously better protecting their high-value components.
Photos: DHL
“The so-called hyperscalers are building the digital backbone of our AI age (...). The expansion of our infrastructure in North America is precisely tailored to this need”explains Supply Chain Chief Hendrik Venter. “With highly secure warehousing services, configuration services, white-glove handling, and 24/7 service logistics (...), large construction projects stay on schedule and are more resilient to external disruptions”.
Synchronized logistics
“Whether it’s air freight for high-performance graphics processors for AI models, power modules by sea freight, or special transports of oversized components to remote construction sites – customers depend on synchronized, secure and on-time logistics,” said Oscar de Bok, CEO of Global Forwarding.
The expansion in North America is just the beginning. Venter: "In this region, home to more than 40 percent of the world's data centers, we are taking the first step – further investments in other regions are planned".
North America is just the beginning
In addition, the group is driving its operational efficiency forward, among other things, by renewing its fleet of Boeing 777 freighters. Thanks to the fleet renewal program, which has been running since 2019, DHL now has the most fuel-efficient cargo aircraft fleet in the world.
Sustainable on the Spree
Thanks to the modernization of its vehicle fleet in Germany, the share of electric vehicles in collection and delivery will reach almost 60 percent by the end of 2025. The company reaffirms its forecast for fiscal year 2026 and continues to expect an operating profit of over €6.2 billion. However, the growth in parcel volumes was not able to fully offset the declining letter volumes and the increased transport and personnel costs in terms of operating profit.
