Frank Petillon

DGM is a global organisation devoted to training and services related to safety in storage and transport of dangerous goods. It is a network of independent companies operating in different countries, using the same brand name, operating principles and standards. Established in 1990, DGM Support provides the technical, marketing and other supportive functions to the global network. It further acts as the umbrella organisation for the global network.

DGM’s roots are in oil and gas operations. Full service companies at oil fields can be handicapped by conflicting interpretations of international rules and regulations when they need to transport chemicals, commercial explosives or radioactive sources to mostly remote drilling sites. Whether IATA, ADR, IMDG or local rules and decrees are applicable in a given situation in a dilemma confronting most companies and it is only the experts who can untie the knots. DGM’s founding father, Frank Petillon, saw in this problem and opportunity to offer professional expertise to the industry to unravel the complex and conflicting regulations for transport of dangerous goods. Petillon’s early career was in the airline industry and he served with KLM Royal Dutch airline for many years. He left the airline and started his own forwarding company based in Amsterdam. But when it was well established he left the forwarding business to his son and began to concentrate full-time on the development of DGM initiatives.

Today, DGM has expanded its scope and now services shippers, freight forwarders and air carriers, with IATA DGR and cargo security training, cargo inspections and also offers expertise to pack and document shipments which contain dangerous goods.

Using the franchise model for expansion and growth, DGM Support has established the DGM brand in nearly 25 countries.

Today, DGM has established a reputation in the field of dangerous goods management and training. With a network of training school accredited to IATA, DGM has contributed much towards creating a safety awareness for transport and handling of dangerous goods shipments.

A few years ago, DGM became the dialogue partner to the Dangerous Goods Board of IATA. IATA, a representative assoication of airlines, formulates the regulations for transport of dangerous goods by the airlines based all the technical instructions for safe transport of dangerous goods formulated by Interational Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). Today, DGM has an observer seat in the IATA Dangerous Goods Board. It has also become the strategic partner of IATA and the global sales agents for IATA publications.

Our founder Frank Petillon is no more. After having addressed the last world meet of the DGM network in Italy, he was laid low with terminal cancer and passed away in Oct 2006. However, his compelling vision continues to guide the growth and development of the DGM network across the world.