Polish express parcels operator DPD Masterlink has started construction work on a new EUR 2.5million depot in Gdansk under its nationwide network expansion.
The foundation stone was ceremonially laid by Rafal Nawloka, DPD Masterlink President, RobertKarczewski, head of construction company REX-BUD and Gdansk mayor Leszek Grombala.
The depot, which is scheduled to open in September 2007, will be built in two phases.Initially, it will cover 2,946 sqm, have 55 gates and 11 loading ramps. The building can beextended should the initial capacity prove insufficient. Some 120 staff will be employed at the newdepot, but the company plans to increase this to 150 couriers and 50 workers at the final stage.
DPD Masterlink said the investment had been triggered by its dynamic growth, with an annualvolume increase of 40%, which made it necessary to modernise and extend its infrastructure acrossPoland. It plans to develop hubs in Gdansk, Warsaw, Poznan, Katowice and Lodz.
Nawloka said: “By establishing a new hub in Gdansk the company is implementing its newoperations strategy, which focuses on the creation of several sorting centres in Poland. Incontrast to a centralized operational model, we will benefit from greater efficiency and securityof operations.”
