DHL has expanded its international network with new logistics centres in Pakistan and thePhilippines, a contract extenstion in the UK and enlarged facility in Germany.
In Pakistan, DHL launched the “DHL Fashion and Apparel Center of Excellence” to facilitatetrade within the region, Europe and North America. The first-of-its-kind centre will provideconsultancy services to customers while also developing customised products and solutions. Inaddition, a range of IT tools will be introduced in response to the demands from different segmentsof the fashion and apparel industry to enhance visibility, reporting and exception management.
Amadou Diallo, DHL Global Forwarding CEO for South Asia Pacific, said: “South Asia is a keysourcing, manufacturing and distribution base for the global fashion industry. The logistics sectoris worth over US$3.9 billion per annum, and it forms a critical component in the global supplychains of the world’s best known brands. We are very optimistic about Pakistan growth potential.Being strategically located Pakistan is uniquely positioned to capitalise on the increasing tradeflows between South Asia and Europe.”
Thomas Tieber, CEO, South Asia, DHL Global Forwarding said, “Despite the keen competition, webelieve Pakistan will further expand its share of the global market. Pakistan has a competitiveadvantage as it is the fifth largest cotton producing country in the world.“
The centre will be DHL’s third Fashion and Apparel Center for Excellence in South Asia,following the establishment of similar centres in India and Sri Lanka.
In the Philippines, DHL Supply Chain opened a 40,000 sqm Logistics Centre worth PHP 40Million (about $850,000). The multi-user facility has been custom-built to suit the needs of keyindustries, boost DHL’s market leading position through increased operational efficiency andability to deliver flexible and optimal supply chain solutions to customers.
The company will also develop a multi-user bundling or co-packing area within the facility toaddress the requirements of Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) and retail sectors. The facility willalso serve the Technology and Automotive sectors through the spare parts logistics service offeringgiven its central location. Thanks to its strategic location, it is close to the airport forexporters of technology products, close to the manufacturing zones of South Luzon for domesticallyfabricated parts and has easy access to the business district of Makati and Taguig which has a highconcentration of end-users.
“Through our investment in this the new facility, we hope to meet the needs of businesses inthe Philiippines by offering a wide array of world-class infrastructure and help our customersbetter manage their supply chains,” said Olive Ramos, Country Manager, DHL Supply ChainPhiliippines.
Besides features such as temperature and humidity control areas, the new DHL Logistics Centreis equipped with advanced inventory management systems, technology and comprehensive securitysystems and CCTV cameras.
In the UK, DHL has won a major contract extension worth up to £22.5 million with Heathrowairport for handling all the deliveries to the Heathrow Consolidation Centre (HCC) until October2012. Under the contract, DHL Supply Chain will serve 323 retail and catering outlets, pubs andrestaurants within the airport beyond the duration of the London Olympic Games when passengerlevels are expected to rise.
In addition, the centre achieves significant environmental and operational benefits forHeathrow Airport Limited (HAL) by consolidating 700 in-bound deliveries a week into 300 outbound.In 2008, a total of 218,000 km were saved from the consolidated deliveries on the DHL fleet,including an electric vehicle, which amounted to 158,000 kg fewer CO2 emissions and a significantreduction in congestion.
In Germany, DHL expanded its logistics centre in Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, by 5,000 sqm forthe interactive TV shopping channel 1-2-3.tv due to its continously growing product volumes. On anarea of 13,000 sqm, up to 28,000 shipments can be sent to 1-2-3.tv customers all over Germany andAustria. The logistics centre has a total area of 18,000 sqm and employs 160 staff.
“The growth trend in mail order business needs reliable logistics solutions that keep up withthe growth while also providing constant service quality,” said Ralf Ritsche, responsible forcustomer management Home Delivery at DHL Supply Chain Central Europe.
