The top 25 global logistics providers

A rundown of the top logistics organizations around the world

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Pharma Logistics IQ
04/27/2022

In a world where manufacturers are outputting more goods than ever, it is essential that the third-party logistics firms that they outsource to are reliable and dependable.

This has become even truer throughout the Covid-19 pandemic when demand for medical supplies and other goods increased while business restrictions were in place.

Here we take a look at the top 25 logistics providers operating today.

1. UPS Supply Chain Solutions
Country: US
Revenue: US$97.3bn

Perhaps one of the best-known companies in logistics, UPS was founded in 1907. It currently delivers to more than 220 countries and has been testing innovative methods of delivery, include drone delivery for vaccines in the US.

2. DHL Logistics
Country: Germany
Revenue: US$87.3bn

With a 50-year history, DHL now operates in 220 countries with 380,000 global employees. The company ended 2021 with its highest revenue figure since its operations began.

3. FedEx Corporation
Country: US
Revenue: US$84bn

FedEx, formerly known as Federal Express, was established in 1971 as a system for expedited deliveries. In 2021 FedEx was tasked with delivering the first batch of vaccines in the US using advanced monitoring technology.

Read: The role secured pharma packaging can play in protecting the integrity of medication

4. Maersk
Country: Denmark
Revenue: US$61.8bn

The Danish shipping company’s profits soared by 55 percent in 2021. As a result Maersk has been able to make long-term investments focused on growing further as well as decarbonization.

5. Kuehne + Nagel
Country: Switzerland
Revenue: US$34.2bn

Kuehne + Nagel was founded in 1890 in Germany. Today it operates in 106 companies and a major seafreight provider globally. In 2021, the company expanded its innovative Seaexplorer platform to assess potential obstructions along the supply chain due to issues such as processing inefficiency and adverse weather conditions.

6. DSV
Country: Denmark
Revenue: US$26bn

Founded 40 years ago, DSV operates in 75 countries with 47,000 employees. The company moves more than 20,000 trucks a day to deliver goods, as well as more than 650,000 tons of air freight every year.

7. DB Schenker Logistics
Country: Germany
Revenue: US$24.55bn

DB Schenker is the logistics division of German rail group Deutsche Bahn AG. Recently the company set up its own charter network in the air freight market and expanded its climate-friendly, biofuel-based options. It recorded record profits in 2021.

8. C.H. Robinson Worldwide
Country: US
Revenue: US$23.1bn

C.H. Robinson was formed in 1905. Today it prides itself on being a sustainable logistics firms, with ambitious initiatives to support climate goals, diversity and innovation.

9. Sinotrans
Country: China
Revenue: US$18.9bn

Sinotrans was formed in 1950 and is currently one of the biggest integrated logistics providers in China. It also provides storage and terminal services.

10. Nippon Express
Country: Japan
Revenue: US$18.80bn

Nippon Express was founded in Japan in 1932. The company operates in more than 730 locations and continues to expand; most recently by acquiring GDP certification for temporary storage and transport of pharmaceutical products in the Middle East.

Watch: Pharma IQ Live: Digital Supply Chain 2022

11. Expeditors International
Country: US
Revenue: US$16.5bn

Expeditors operates in 250 locations across six continents and has a unique profit structure, with each of the company’s branches functioning as independent profit centers and wages calculated directly from the operating income of that branch.

12. XPO Logistics
Country: US
Revenue: US$12.8bn

XPO was formed in 1989 as Express-1 Expedited Solutions. It was purchased by Bradley Solutions in 2011 and began purchasing other logistics companies. The company’s global network today has 771 locations and approximately 42,000 employees.

12. J.B. Hunt
Country: US
Revenue: US$12.1bn

Founded by Johnnie Bryan Hunt and Johnelle Hunt in 1961, by 1983 the company had grown to become the 80th largest trucking firm in the US. Today it finds itself among the world’s top 25 logistics companies and prides itself on its energy-efficient load optimization software systems to decrease empty miles for drivers.

13. CEVA Logistics
Country: Switzerland
Revenue: US$12bn

The union of TNT Logistics and EGL in 2007 created a giant in the industry. Key to the success of CEVA Logistics is customer relations – its average relationship length with its top 30 customers is 20 years.

Read: How the Covid-19 pandemic has changed pharma logistics

14. SNCF Geodis
Country: France
Revenue: US$11.6bn

After making a loss for a number of years, French company SCNF Geodis has turned its fortunes around. In 2021 revenue grew 6 percent with a “vigorous recovery” in steel products, chemicals and petroleum traffic.

15. Dascher
Country: Germany
Revenue: US$7.5bn

Starting out as a small family-owned business in 1930, Dascher's 2021 revenue of $7.5 billion is largely due to transporting 83.7 million shipments throughout 400 global locations.

16. Rhenus & Co
Country: Germany
Revenue: US$7.47bn

Formed in 1912, Rhenus now incorporates over 600 locations globally, mainly in Europe, Asia and South America. In 2015, the Rhenus Group established the Rhenus Pharma Service to pool together the pharmaceutical logistics activities of existing Rhenus business sites in Germany.

17. Kintetsu World Express
Country: Japan
Revenue: US$7bn

Kintetsu is Japan's largest supply chain company. The firm has almost 10,000 employees, and it provides foreign air and ocean transport of goods, as well as trucking options for manufacturers.

18. Toll Group
Country: Australia
Revenue: US$6.74bn

This Australian company was founded in 1888 by Albert Toll who started it as a horse-and-cart coal hauling business. Today it is a subsidiary of Japan Post Holdings with operations in transportation, warehousing and logistics in road, rail, sea and air.

19. Samsung SDS Logistics
Country: South Korea
Revenue: US$6.3bn

Formed in 1985 as part of the Samsung group, Samsung SDS operates out of Seoul and serves a diverse range of industries including global logistics, retail, smart manufacturing and financial services.

20. NYK Group
Country: Japan
Revenue: US$4.78bn

Founded in 1885 as Nippon Yūsen Kabushiki Kaisha, the organization is known for the scope of its shipping fleet and operates nearly 800 ocean vessels. In 2021 the company announced its target of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 for ocean transportation.

Read: How MSD used digital technology to prevent waste and ensure safe delivery of medication

21. Kerry Logistics Network
Country: Hong Kong
Revenue: US$4.7bn

One of the youngest companies on this list, Kerry Logistics Network was founded in 1981. It has grown steadily since and is now the largest international logistics company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

22. Gefco
Country: France
Revenue: US$4.5bn

Gefco is owned by PSA Peugeot Citroen. Operating 400 international routes, the company ships more than 28 million tons of freight each year.

23. Hub Group
Country: US
Revenue: US$4.2bn

Founded nearly 50 years ago in Illinois, Hub Group is now a successful transportation management company in the US, Canada and Mexico. The company focuses heavily on end-to-end visibility and real time insights.

24. Agility Logistics
Country: Kuwait
Revenue: US$4bn

Agility has focused many of its efforts on the needs of emerging markets. Today, the company is the biggest logistics provider in the Middle East.

25. Hellman Worldwide Logistics
Country: Germany
Revenue: US$2.67bn

Hellman Worldwide Logistics was founded in 1871 as a one-man business. Now it operates in 173 countries, with 20,500 employees and specializes in road transport.