German parcels operator Hermes Logistik has put into operation its new hub in Hückelhoven, NorthRhine-Westphalia, which is directly linked to an expanded distribution centre of German
teleshopping company QVC, a key Hermes customer. The hub will also help the parcels operatorfurther expand its European B2C activities.Hermes said it has invested EUR 34 million in the building and sorting technology at the12,000 sqm facility which will handle up to 50 million shipments 360 days per year. Some 125 newemployees will sort up to 22,000 parcels an hour.
Construction took about one year. One technical innovation is the volume measurement of eachshipment in order to calculate capacity loading exactly and optimise route planning.
The hub is directly connected to the neighbouring QVC distribution centre which has beenexpanded to 35,000 sqm during the same time. The teleshopping company will feed up to 11,000shipments an hour into the Hermes hub. QVC plans to invest EUR 45 million in the overall extensionof its central distribution centre, with completion due in spring 2008.
“The location at Hückelhoven is perfect to intensify the cooperation with our ‘neighbour’QVC,” said Hermes managing director Hanjo Schneider. “Moreover, the new hub will play an importantrole in our international planning. Currently we are already handling shipments from our keyaccounts in France, Netherlands and UK, among them big mail order companies like Land’s End or theEuropean pharmacy Venlo. The shipment volumes will continue to rise thanks to our continuouslygrowing business in Europe,” he commented. Other customers whose shipments will be sorted at thefacility include 3Suisses/Le Club, 3Pagen and ePlus.
Dr. Ulrich Flatten, QVC CEO Germany commented: “With the upgrading of the location inHückelhoven we are deepening our successful cooperation with our partner Hermes. Through the newcapacities and the direct connection to the new Hermes hub we are able to reduce our delivery timesconsiderably.”
