Kicking off the list is Amazon. The e-commerce giant is a company like no other and as a result is in 10th place on this list because it offers a variety of different services and isn’t restricted to only logistics. Amazon splits its businesses into several key areas: Amazon Logistics, Amazon Web Services, Amazon Prime and Amazon Retail. Its services include e-commerce, cloud computing, digital streaming and artificial intelligence (AI). Amazon’s warehouse and distribution centres total 386 facilities in the US alone, and include 159 fulfilment centres, 47 inbound and outbound sortation hubs as well as 52 Prime Now hubs and 115 local delivery stations. Founded in 1994 by CEO Jeff Bezos, it is now considered one of the ‘Big Four’ alongside Facebook, Google and Apple. Amazon is primed to compete with the biggest logistics companies in the world over the next few years, however, it remains unclear whether it considers itself primarily as a logistics firm.

HQ: Seattle, United States

No. of employees: 750,000 (Amazon)

Revenue: $232.9bn (Amazon)

Website: https://logistics.amazon.co.uk/

Executive: Jeff Bezos, CEO

US-based Fortune 500 company, CH Robinson, provides freight transportation, transportation management, brokerage and warehousing. CH Robinson solves logistics problems for companies worldwide and across industries, from the simple to the most complex. With $20bn in freight under management and 18mn shipments annually, it is considered the world’s largest logistics platform. The firm offers a range of different logistics services such as truckload, ocean shipping and air freight, serving a number of different industries.

HQ: Eden Prairie, United States

No. of employees: 15,262

Revenue: US$16.6bn 

Website: https://www.chrobinson.com/en-us/

Executive: Robert Biesterfield, CEO

As one of the largest transportation logistics firms in North America and a Fortune 500 company, J.B. Hunt offers an integrated, multimodal approach and provides capacity-orientated solutions which are centred on driving customer value and industry-leading service. Its solutions include intermodal, dedicated, truckload, final mile, refrigerated, flatbed, less-than-truckload, single source, expedited and international. Its intermodal service operates the largest fleet of company-owned 53’ containers and drayage fleets in North America, showcasing over 85,000 containers in its fleet. 

HQ: Lowell, United States

No. of employees: 24,681

Revenue: US$7.1bn (2017)

Website: https://www.jbhunt.com/

Executive: John N. Roberts III

Recognised as a leading American transportation company, Union Pacific Railroad Company as it is legally known, serves 23 states across the US and is North America’s premier railroad franchise. With technology starting to redefine the logistics sector, the railroad replaces around 3mn and 4mn railroad ties annually. The railroad ties are the foundation of which the company’s rail is built and are perpendicular pieces that support the rail and keep it upright. They run along Union Pacific’s entire train line, which is around 32,000 route miles in total.

HQ: Omaha, United States

No. of employees: 41,967

Revenue: US$22.8bn

Website: https://www.up.com/index.htm

Executive: Lance M. Fritz, CEO

Considered one of the world’s leading logistics providers, DB Schenker offers a range of solutions such as land, air and ocean freight while also offering contract and lead logistics. DB Schenker values efficiency and has 430 land transportation branches across Europe. The company’s value-added services ensures the flow of goods continues seamlessly and encourages supply chains to stay lean and optimised for success. DB Schenker’s air freight network reaches 700 locations in 130 different countries worldwide.

HQ: Essen, Germany

No. of employees: 72,000

Revenue: US$18.3bn 

Website: https://www.dbschenker.com/global

Executive: Jorchen Thewes, CEO

Founded in 1890, Kuehne + Nagel is recognised as one of the world’s biggest logistics providers. Considered the number one global sea freight forwarder, the firm has more than 7,500 sea freight specialists worldwide available to meet customer requirements. Kuehne + Nagel offers several industry specific solutions such as: automotive, drinks logistics, forest logistics, oil and gas logistics and project logistics. Alongside sea freight, the company also offers air freight and overland services. Kuehne + Nagel places huge value on sustainability and has established a “Net Zero Carbon” strategy to reduce CO2 in transport and logistics services globally. The company aims to be completely carbon neutral by 2030.

HQ: Schindellegi, Switzerland

No. of employees: 75,876

Revenue: US$19.3bn (2017)

Website: https://home.kuehne-nagel.com/?no_mobile=1

Executive: Dr. Detlef Trefzger, CEO

XPO Logistics works closely with companies to evaluate the entire supply chain. The firm has a range of transportation solutions such as: drayage, expedite, full truckload, global forwarding, intermodal, last mile, less-than-truckload and managed transportation. XPO Logistics is one of the largest logistics providers worldwide with around 202mn sq.ft of facility space. The organisation invests approximately US$550mn in technology annually as it continues to fund its logistics drive. Over the upcoming years, XPO Logistics seeks to expand its focus on robotics, autonomous vehicles, automated sortation systems and other state-of-the-art technologies as the supply chain continues to harness new technology.

HQ: Greenwich, United States

No. of employees: 100,000

Revenue: US$17.2bn (2018)

Website: https://www.xpo.com/

Executive: Bradley S. Jacobs

The US-based company operates a host of solutions, such as its Express, Ground, Freight, Services, Logistics and Office divisions. By connecting businesses with over 99% of the world’s GDP, FedEx handles over 7mn customs transactions annually for all customers. The organisation serves a global transportation network and provides solutions that help to streamline businesses’ supply chains and enhance efficiency, accuracy and cost savings. It has three main international freight forwarding solutions, featuring its ocean and air freight as well as its Global Order Logistics solution.

HQ: Memphis, United States

No. of employees: 425,000

Revenue: US$65.4bn

Website: https://www.fedex.com/en-us/home.html

Executive: Fredrick W. Smith, CEO

As one of the world’s leading package delivery organisations in the world, UPS has transformed from a messenger company in 1907 to delivering 5.2bn packages and documents in 2018. The organisation offers several different solutions such as UPS Supply Chain Solutions, UPS Freight and Freight Brokerage Services. Over the past few years, the organisation has significantly expanded through the acquisition of over 40 companies, including industry leaders in trucking and air freight, retail shipping and business services, customs brokerage, finance and international trade services. With US$72bn in revenue in 2018, UPS is renowned as a major player in the logistics space.

HQ: Atlanta, United States

No. of employees: 481,000

Revenue: US$71.8bn (2018)

Website: https://www.ups.com/us/en/global.page

Executive: David P. Abney, CEO

Deutsche Post DHL Group is the world’s largest courier company and has a total group revenue of US$68.6bn. With clear intentions for the future, the organisation has established Strategy 2025 as it seeks to build a positive trajectory over the next five years. The strategy will focus on Globalisation, Digitalisation, E-Commerce and Sustainability. Deutsche Post acquired DHL in 2002. DHL operates several different divisions. These are: DHL Express, DHL Parcel, DHL eCommerce, Deutsche Post International, DHL Global Forwarding, DHL Freight and DHL Supply Chain. 

HQ: Bonn, Germany

No. of employees: 547,459 (Deutsche Post DHL Group)

Revenue: US$68.6bn (Deutsche Post DHL Group)

Website: https://www.dpdhl.com/en.html

Executive: Frank Appel, CEO