DHL Named Finalist in Corporate Social Responsibility Employee Program
PR News CSR Honorable Mention Award Presented to DHL for Disaster Response Team
DHL, the world’s leading express delivery and logistics company, recently received an honorable mention for the 2008 Corporate Social Responsibility Award presented by the public relations industry magazine PR News at an event held in Washington, D.C.
DHL was named a finalist in the Employee Volunteer Program category for the successful launch and deployment of its Americas Disaster Response Team (DRT). The DRT is a network of employee volunteers who are trained and ready to deploy at a moment’s notice in the aftermath of a natural disaster. Individuals apply their professional knowledge of logistics and organize the handling, warehousing and loading of relief goods at the airport to ensure relief supplies reach intended recipients with minimal bottlenecks. The DRT is part of DHL’s strategic partnership with the UN System in the field of Disaster Management.
“Our employees have a propensity to take action to help others,” says Chris Weeks, Director of Humanitarian Affairs for DHL’s parent company Deutsche Post World Net. “The unique model of the DRT demonstrates that DHL is an innovative company committed to social responsibility.”
In order to have an effective program and successful deployments, DHL communications efforts focused on recruiting a strong network of volunteers; building awareness of the DRT objectives; and field training simulations to ensure that volunteers were ready to deploy and support airport operations effectively. After a successful launch within the Americas, the DRT now has approximately 80 DHL employees stationed throughout the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean who, in addition to their daily activities, are committed to the team’s humanitarian objectives.
In August 2007, the DRT Americas deployed to support warehousing and inventory of relief materials arriving to Pisco, Peru, in the aftermath of a 7.9 Richter scale earthquake. Within 72 hours of the earthquake hitting the Southern region of Peru, members of the DRT had arrived and processed more than 2,740 tons of incoming relief aid in just 10 days.
About DHL
DHL is the global market leader of the international express and logistics industry, specializing in providing innovative and customized solutions from a single source.
DHL offers expertise in express, air and ocean freight, overland transport, contract logistic solutions as well as international mail services, combined with worldwide coverage and an in-depth understanding of local markets. DHL's international network links more than 225 countries and territories worldwide. Some 300,000 employees are dedicated to providing fast and reliable services that exceed customers' expectations.
Founded in San Francisco in 1969, DHL is a Deutsche Post World Net brand. The group generated revenues of more than 63 billion euros (more than $93 billion) in 2007.
Editor’s note: DRT photos available upon request.
Media Inquiries:
DHL USA
DHL Corporate Communications
Richard Gibbs
Public Relations Manager
Tel.: (954) 888-7114
E-Mail: usa.pressoffice@dhl.com
