DHL Express has strengthened its presence in the Middle East with the completion of a $4.2million investment programme in Lebanon while also opening new service points in Qatar and in the
UAE.Marking its 35th anniversary in Lebanon, DHL Express has further improved its infrastructure inthe country with the establishment of a logistics facility at the Beirut Free Zone leveragingLebanon’s role as a redistribution point for the Middle East.
The 1,200 sqm logistics facility provides DHL customers with a platform from which consignmentscan be stored and reconfigured in a bonded area for redistribution to destinations throughout theMiddle East and beyond. DHL customers who have a regional or global distribution requirement cantake advantage of DHL’s Middle East Day Definite International ground network and dedicated airnetwork to enhance their supply chain and distribution.
In addition, the company expanded its Beirut Airport Facility at Rafik Hariri InternationalAirport. The airside facility is the only logistics facility of its kind in Lebanon and DHL is thesole international express company operating such a capability.
With a vast increase in capacity, the DHL Express Beirut airport facility has doubled in sizeand now spans more than 6,000 sqm serving as a gateway for both air and road shipment. The facilityis fully compliant with TAPA security guidelines, is temperature controlled and operates 24/7throughout the year. Given the proximity to the airport taxi way, DHL has a strong advantage interms of shipment control and cargo processing time. The facility also hosts the ground operationsbase, customer service centre and will bring together core DHL operations such as customsclearance, sales, finance, IT and human resources under one roof to leverage operational synergiesfor better reaction times to business needs.
As part of its network expansion within the investment programme, DHL also opened three newservice points and refurbished two locations in Lebanon with customers benefiting from enhancedservice quality and reduced shipment transit times.
Garry Kemp, Managing Director, DHL Express Middle East, North Africa and Turkey (MENAT),commented: “DHL has invested ahead of the curve to ensure that we are well placed to meet thegrowing business needs of Lebanese customers and the developing economy. Despite the tough economiclandscape, Lebanon has emerged strong and we expect this positive growth trend to continue.”
“The Middle East remains a key growth region with strong business opportunities and DHL’scontinued investment in Lebanon demonstrates the company’s confidence in the country’s growthpotential,” he added.
John Chedid, Country Manager, DHL Express Lebanon, said: “With its proximity to Europe, Lebanon’s geographical position offers reduced shipping times from Asia to the Arab Gulf states, making it aviable redistribution point. Lebanon is creating a logistics corridor that will greatly enhance thecountry’s role as a regional logistics centre and DHL is building its own infrastructure inparallel to ensure that it is equipped to serve its customers’ requirements.” DHL, which was thefirst international express company to establish itself in Lebanon in 1975, currently employs over170 people and operates nine locations across the country.
Elsewhere in the region, DHL Express has expanded its retail presence. In Qatar it opened twonew retail service points at leading shopping malls in the capital, Doha. DHL currently operatesfive service points across the country. The company, which recently celebrated its 30th anniversaryin Qatar, has doubled revenues in the country over the past five years and recently invested nearlyUS$ 4 million into its operational facilities. DHL Express Qatar currently employs over 150 peopleand operates four offices in Doha.
Daniel Kearvell, DHL Express Country Manager Qatar, said: “As the longest established logisticscompany in Qatar with more than 50% market share, DHL is continuously looking at ways to provideour valued customers with the highest levels of service. This is yet another example of ourcommitment to ensuring that we provide ease and convenience for our customers across Qatar.”
In the UAE, DHL Express has opened a new service point in the Mirdif City Centre shopping mall.DHL currently operates 23 service points across the UAE, six of which are located in key shoppingmalls. The company plans to open additional retail service points across the country this year.
Frank Ungerer, Country Manager, DHL Express UAE, commented: “As the longest establishedlogistics company in the UAE, DHL is continuously looking to better serve our customers. Ourcontinued investment in the UAE is part of our ongoing strategy to further build on our reputationas a key business partner for our customers in the UAE. With the new service point, we will providecustomers with increased convenience and accessibility for all of their express logisticsneeds.”
