DHL Supply Chain, recently rebranded from DHL Exel Supply Chain, has once again taken top position as the largest player in the market, according to Transport Intelligence’s (TI) recently released annual rankings of the largest contract logistics operators on a globaland regional basis.

In 2008 DHL Supply Chain generated revenues in excess of €12 billion, some considerable distance ahead of its nearest rival, CEVA, according to the ranking. In third position is Swiss-based Kuehne + Nagel, meaning that the line up of the top three is unchanged from the year before.

In Europe, as on a global basis, DHL Supply Chain dominates the market. UK-based provider Wincanton is stronger in Europe than it is globally, which accounts for its second position. CEVA, which has major UK and Italian businesses, as well as smaller operations throughout the region, makes up the top three.

Although DHL Supply Chain is once again market leader in North America, there are a number of other major USbased providers challenging its dominance, TI said. These include Penske Logistics, Caterpillar Logistics Services, Ryder, UPS SCS, Schneider and Menlo.

The picture is very different in the Asia Pacific region where the market is led by the giant Japanese operators Hitachi, Sankyu and Mitsubishi. But taking Japan out of the mix, DHL Supply Chain once again is the leading multicountry player.

According to Ti’s Chief Executive, John Manners-Bell, the market was relatively calm in 2008 after years of change and upheaval. “With a downturn in volumes and margins being pressurized, most contract logistics companies are focusing internally rather than looking for external growth opportunities.

“I believe this will continue to be the case in 2009 despite the general perception that ‘distressed’ targets may soon be coming onto the market. However as the market picks up in 2010 there is likely to be a surge of mergers andacquisitions activity.”