In 1998/99, Ralf Meistes developed the Dachser DIY Logistics division (based in Cologne), for which he remains responsible to date for the company as a whole. At the start of the millennium, the company handled an annual volume of around 300 000 shipments in Germany; now the logistics specialist transports approximately 4.6 million shipments a year in Europe and worldwide. Over 18 000 DIY stores, garden centres, specialist businesses and consumers in all receive deliveries on a daily basis via Dachser DIY Logistics.
The DIY Lifetime Award is presented annually by the BHB of Cologne and Dähne Verlag in Ettlingen. The jury comprises four persons: a representative from each of the founding organisations and a representative from each of the trade associations Herstellerverband Haus und Garten (HHG) and Industrieverband Garten (IVG). This year the award will be presented for the 14th time.