Markets and strategy

DB Schenker is very well positioned in the land transport, air and ocean freight, and contract logistics market segments. Its vision is to be the world’s leading integrated supplier of transport and logistical services. To achieve this, DB Schenker intends to further strengthen and expand its market positions.

DB Schenker aims to make its organization future-proof with its UNLEASH strategy, which focuses on customer orientation, efficient employees and dynamic growth. A comprehensive transformation program was initiated in early 2022 to drive change and focus on five critical success factors: market expertise, work culture, corporate sustainability, digital and process-related excellence as well as economic strength. These five success factors are supplemented by ambitious sustainability targets to become CO₂-neutral by 2040.

In addition, digitalization is becoming increasingly important as a driver of disruption in the logistics industry. DB Schenker is therefore concentrating on developing the latest tools and processes in order to serve its customers. Initiatives such as data-driven business models, online platforms and technical innovations are promoted on a global scale.

Progress in the implementation of the UNLEASH strategy

• Market expertise: The goal is to master specific challenges and opportunities in the lines of business in order to always optimally meet customer needs. DB Schenker’s sales experts focus on selling the right solutions in a target group and sector-specific way. As the market develops, the portfolio is constantly being adapted and expanded in order to meet customer requirements at all times.
• Corporate sustainability: On the path to CO₂ neutrality by 2040 and towards a more holistic sustainability approach for DB Schenker, efforts to achieve sustainability are of great importance. DB Schenker is continuously expanding and intensifying its sustainability efforts. On the path to sustainable logistics, DB Schenker has set itself a number of objectives, such as increasing the share of women, covering ESG rankings and ratings, and continuously switching the truck fleet to alternative drives and sustainable fuels, to name but a few.
• Our working culture: Newly introduced working methods create an environment in which employees can realize their full potential. These also include “company hacks” (techniques and methods to promote agile coop­eration), which enable a more functional and committed way of working and strengthen a culture that is geared towards decision-making and personal responsibility.
• Digital and process excellence: DB Schenker is expanding its market leadership and digital reach and optimizing processes. It is doing this, for example, by replacing country-specific operating systems with a global operating system that improves process and productivity efficiency and realizes the exchange of information across time zones and multiple platforms to facilitate better decision-making.
• Economic strength: Improvement of results and organizational fitness by constantly questioning the status quo. In 2022, DB Schenker acquired USA Truck as a targeted M&A expansion on the US market, in order to better meet customer requirements and complete the service portfolio. Integration was completed in 2023.