DHL-VNPT Express Ltd, the express joint venture between DHL and Vietnam Post and TelecommunicationsCorporation (VNPT), has launched a new $2 million service centre in Hanoi to improve express
services in the north of the country and to increase the company’s freight delivery capacity inHanoi and in other neighbouring localities.The new centre has 2,000 sqm of warehouse space with a drive-in facility which allows thecompany’s vehicle fleet to load and unload shipments from within the facility, protecting them fromadverse weather conditions. The fully automated conveyer system eliminates manual handling and hasthe capacity to process 300 packages per hour, the Saigon Times Daily reported.
The centre also includes a comprehensive DHL Service Point to meet the needs of accountcustomers and walk-in customers. It offers DHL Express services to its customers in Hanoi and thesurrounding areas. “The centre anticipates the continued strong growth that Vietnam is predicting,”said a DHL executive. In addition, the facility has a security system which includes close circuittelevision and access control.
The service centre is part of the $14 million investment programme announced in 2007 shortlyafter the launch of the joint venture between DHL and VNPT. Through this investment, DHL Expressfleet has grown rapidly in Vietnam over the last few years. The major activities included theopening of a 3,140 sqm service centre in Dong Nai in southern Vietnam, a new centre in Danang, newexpress centres in Hai Phong, a major northern port city, and in the southern port city of VungTau. The ground fleet was extended to over 100 vehicles. Last year, DHL Express claimed 40% of theVietnamese courier market.
In parallel, DHL will invest US$10 million over the next five years in its new joint venturein Vietnam with its local partners including Oriental Logistics to form a new entity, DHL GlobalForwarding (Vietnam) Corporation. As part of this investment, DHL will also launch the “DHL Fashionand Apparel Center for Excellence” in Vietnam, its first in Southeast Asia, by the end of 2009.
DHL started operating in Vietnam in 1988 and became the first international air expressprovider in the country. In January 2007, DHL announced its $15 million joint venture with VNPTGroup with DHL owing 51% and VNPT owing 49% in the joint company. VNTP had previously been DHL’sagent for many years.
