Every legacy starts with the first step

The beginning 

It all began in 1976 when Leif Tullberg and nine independent trucking companies established DSV, De Sammensluttede Vognmænd af 13-7 1976 A/S. The company operated as a cartage department for the owners and only handled contracting haulage and deliveries based on a simple idea: move goods for a small commission, based on an asset-light model.

These were the years when DSV’s entrepreneurial spirit was born. Do whatever it takes, with the best tools to deliver the service level the customers expect with the least amount of resources – that is what sets DSV apart, then and now.

Already in these early days, one of the founders and DSV’s first CEO, Leif Tullberg, saw that there were no limits to the company’s growth – if only DSV could master the ability to join forces with other players. During this period, DSV grew fast as an intensely decentralized organization, with decision-making pushed to the freight forwarders and the customers they were serving.

Soon, the vision became to enter the international transport market. This was realized in 1989 with the acquisition of the two competing export companies Borup Autotransport A/S and Hammerbro A/S-Bech Trans, followed by Samson Transport Co. A/S in 1997 and Svex Group AB in 1999.

These were important acquisitions as they altered our services and product focus as well as made the framework for an international future of the company.

Strengthening our global presence

In 2000, a defining step in the history of DSV was taken with the acquisition of DFDS Dan Transport Group, which led to a new era and strategy. 

Not only did we strengthen our global network, but we also entered new market segments. In addition to road transport services in Scandinavia, the UK, the Baltics and Europe, the acquisition secured a comprehensive logistics set-up as well as a key position within airfreight and overseas transports to the US and Asia Pacific markets.

To put focus on DSV’s different services and customer segments, in 2001 we separated our operations into three divisions: Road, Air & Sea and Contract Logistics.

A new era had begun, marked by a truly global network, access to new market segments, entirely new capabilities and expanded teams around the world. With our new presence and our relentless drive, we continued building and refining our offerings via road, air and sea.

In 2005 Leif Tullberg stepped down as Group CEO and Kurt K. Larsen succeeded in the role.

In 2005, our position in the air and sea transport industry was further strengthened with the acquisition of J.H. Bachmann. The following year, we acquired Frans Maas and advanced our position from being a Scandinavian player to being a true Pan-European road transport and logistics player.

With the acquisition of ABX LOGISTICS in 2008, DSV gained presence in South America and thereby became a global company. Furthermore, we strengthened our position in Europe, particularly in Italy, Germany, France and Spain.

The jump in size and complexity made professionalization a strategic must. The systems of the company simply needed to be adjusted to accommodate the new reality. This was the moment that DSV got itself into industry-beating organizational shape. Building on the asset-light model already in place, DSV created ’One truth’ for the company. Here, the company introduced customer segmentation and proper account planning, sharpening and tightening the customer interface. Critically, DSV consolidated the infrastructure to meet new demands in an ever-changing world.

In 2009, Jens Bjørn Andersen was appointed CEO of the DSV Group, and the former CEO Kurt K. Larsen took over as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Consolidating our global position

DSV acquired UTi Worldwide Inc. in 2016, strengthening our position worldwide, particularly in the US and Africa.

In 2019, we acquired Panalpina Welttransport, becoming the world's fourth largest transport and logistics company. The addition strengthened our position across the globe, particularly within air freight and sea freight.

Two years later, in 2021, DSV acquired Agility’s Global Integrated Logistics business (GIL), a leading global transport and logistics provider with a strong footprint in emerging markets. With this new addition to our organization, we became a global top-three player within transport and logistics.

In 2024, former Group COO and Vice CEO Jens H. Lund assumed the position of Group CEO of DSV A/S.

Only a year later, in 2025, DSV acquired Schenker from Deutsche Bahn in the largest transaction in our company’s history. With the acquisition, we doubled our size and significantly enhanced our global network, expertise and competitive edge across all three divisions, thereby creating a global transport and logistics powerhouse.

Setting the future direction

It takes more than drive to become the global leader in the industry. It takes curiosity of what can be and adaptability to make it so. From our humble beginnings, we’ve continually pushed boundaries, and we’re only just getting started.