One company a lot of movement

DKV Mobility

Our company history is one of long tradition. For more than 85 years, we have smoothened the way into mobility for our customers. Our products and services move people and goods all over Europe – future-oriented and unhindered by borders. We combine tradition with modernity and can therefore meet all the wishes of our customers. It does not matter which fuel, which technology, which smart service you prefer: we are at your side.

You drive, we care

With us, you are the focus. You are our source of inspiration and motivation. Your prospective shows us the way and enables us to offer products and services that meet your needs. Nobody knows European roads better than you. Why ignore your expertise?

Mobility means change and, thanks to the trust upon which our work with our partners and daily users is based, our world of mobility can be tailored to best fit the needs and objectives of each individual DKV customer. Together, we will remain mobile and overcome every challenge that the future has in store.

213,000

active customers

are part of our constantly growing network. We proudly care for each individual with heart, soul and passion.

5.1

million cards and on-board-units

are in daily use on the roads and make everyday life easier for our customers.

9.3

bilion € transaction volume

have been booked in 2020. We are particularly pleased about the steadily increasing trend from year to year.

international subsidiaries

enable us to help our customers around the world quickly and specifically.

1,323

employees

are at work with us and highly motivated to make our services a little better every day.

A strong brand for all your requirements

We think of ourselves as your partner, enabling you to keep on the road whatever your destination is. But why have we this strong sense of self-belief?

Our brand encompasses tradition, reliability, customer closeness and innovation. Each of our fields of products and services is measured against these values. Only when we and our customers are completely convinced, do we start with the implementation. We are currently helping 213,000 active customers across the whole of Europe and working together with you to be and remain a well-known, strong brand. We work quickly, conveniently and sustainably to achieve this goal.

DKV Management

Each day, DKV Mobility’s 1,323 employees give their all to shape the mobility of today and tomorrow. Take a look at our company management and see for yourself why we consider our company to have the optimal set-up. The first thing you notice is that our management embodies two specific characteristics that guide us towards our objectives for the future: passion and expertise.

MARCO VAN KALLEVEEN CEO

Marco van Kalleveen was appointed CEO of DKV Mobility in 2019. Most recently, Marco van Kalleveen was Chief Operating Officer and Member of the Board of LeasePlan, one of the world's leading vehicle leasing companies. Previously, he was a member of the board of directors of the global logistics service provider TNT Express and a partner at McKinsey. The business administration graduate has an MBA from Harvard Business School and has extensive international management experience and proven expertise in the areas of mobility and logistics.

PETER MEIER CFO

Peter Meier has been Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of DKV Mobility since 2020. In this function, he is responsible for Finance & Financial Services, IT, Operations and Project Management Office. Born in Switzerland, Peter Meier has many years of experience as CFO of global companies. Most recently, he was CFO of HERE Technologies, one of the leading providers of digital ticketing and location-based platform services. Before joining HERE, he was CFO and later CEO of the KUONI Group, an international travel provider.

Our company history

DKV Mobility has been one of the leading service providers for commercial mobility in Europe for decades. But how did it all start? What developments have shaped us? What hurdles have we overcome? Accompany us on a journey through time to find out.

1934

Foundation of DKV

The founding fathers of DKV, Dr. Friedrich Gercke and Karl Kniebaum together with Otto Köther and Helmut Winter, established the company DEUTSCHER KRAFTVERKEHR GmbH (German road transport) in Duisburg. The newly formed company organises and arranges road transport for the German Reichsbahn and Bundesbahn railway networks until 1953.

1949

The "transport box"

Subsidiary company Waldholz-Transport GmbH develops a standard shipping-container for transporting goods as far back as the 1930s. The so-called "transport box" significantly reduces loading and unloading times. However, this innovative system is unable to achieve market penetration due to the political situation.

1950

For the knights of the road

DKV establishes resources for increasing the profitability of good shipments and improving the comfort and safety of drivers. In addition to introducing the Tankschecks (fuel cheques), the precursors to today's fuel cards, and a network of 26 contract fuel stations a DKV fuel atlas is published for the first time. To ensure that no time is lost searching for accomodation during long-distance work, DKV driver's hostels were set up from 1951.

1955

Foundation stone for the current service network

Shortly after termination of the cooperation with German railways the sale of diesel becomes the core business of DKV, thereby laying the foundation stone for today's fuel station network. At the same time Heinrich Eckstein becomes a shareholder. DKV's business is expanded throughout Europe.

1957

New shareholder

Founding fathers Dr. Gercke and Karl Kniebaum leave DKV. Heinrich Eckstein attracts Ernst Grimmke as a DKV shareholder. Each man holds 50% of the shares. The head office of DKV has been located at Tonhallenstrasse in Düsseldorf since 1959.

1960

Introduction of the DKV delivery notes

DKV launches the DKV delivery notes for the first time. This means that drivers no longer needed to exchange currencies, thereby facilitating more rapid transportation.

1963

Renaming of the company

Heinrich Eckstein resigns as a result of differing opinions relating to corporate objectives. The new name of the company is DEUTSCHER KRAFTVERKEHR Ernst Grimmke GmbH & Co.KG. DKV is already present in ten European countries. Mineral oil partner CALTEX takes a stake in the company from 1965.

1966

Introduction of the DKV CARD

The DKV CARD is introduced. Haulage firms could now precisely calculate the fuel consumption of their fleets. Every two weeks an invoice is prepared which lists the refuelling details of each individual truck. In order to maintain the independence of DKV, Ernst Grimmke establishes an emergency network of own-brand fuel stations. These are attached to easily accessible truck stops.

1970

Introduction of the magnetic strip

During the 1970s DKV introduces the embossed DKV CARD with a magnetic strip. The company already has contracts with 1,500 fuel stations and 70 truck stops in 17 European countries. In 1971 DKV furthermore offers a wide range of services under the "Extra Service" banner. Ernst Grimmke transfers his shares to his daughter, Dr. Karin Fischer in 1972.

1980

Changes in terms of value added

Along with the invoice, transport companies receive a brochure which contains information on how to reclaim value added tax in the respective country. The company's total capital now amounts to DM 18 million. In the meantime CALTEX had sold its shares to CHEVRON (from 1986 TEXACO, later renamed RWE/DEA).

1990

Europe-wide toll processing

During the 1990s DKV withdraws from the truck stop business and sells its own-brand truck stops. From 1995 it becomes possible for customers to use cashless transactions to pay road toll hroughout Europe.

1999

New shareholder structure

Dr. Karin Fischer initially procures all partnership shares and subsequently sells 45% to the Gothaer Insurance Group. 55% of the company's shares - and therefore a majority holding - are retained by Dr. Karin Fischer.

2002

Contactless toll recording

ERS (subsequently REMOBIS) is established as a separate subsidiary to provide the VAT refund service. Contactless road toll recording using operator boxes is introduced in 2004 and toll payments are processed using DKV systems. A further milestone on the development of the company is the interoperable DKV BOX which is launched in 2007.

2008

Family company with a corporate structure

Dr. Karin Fischer transfers her partnership shares to her son, Jan Fischer. DKV is now in its third generation of family ownership. In December 2010 the new group structure is introduced. During the following year the group of companies moves into the newly constructed group headquarter in Ratingen and NOVOFLEET is established with the purpose of offering an alternative solution for commercial car fleets.

2017

Fischer family becomes sole shareholder

Jan Fischer takes over the shares of “Gothaer Versicherung”. 58 years after the takeover by Ernst Grimmke, the Fischer family is now the sole shareholder. The new structure gives DKV Mobility the necessary scope to position itself more strongly in the market.

2019

Transaction for accelerated growth

Jan Fischer identifies a partner, CVC Capital Partners Fund VII (CVC), to successfully drive the growth strategy forward. In 2019, CVC acquires the corresponding minority interest.

2021

The course continues

There are now over 5.1 million fuel cards and on-board units in circulation across 45 European markets. Under the guidance of the Fischer siblings, DKV Mobility continues to expand strongly from 2019. A special focus is placed on the expansion of the core business as well as digitalisation and sustainability.