DHL Express Belgium will save 120 aviation jobs in Brussels by retaining three large departmentsin Brussels, which were originally scheduled to relocate as part of the company’s restructuring
measures announced in 2009.The three departments to be retained include Aviation Capacity Sales, Global Aviation IT andBusiness Process Aviation. This amounts to a total of 120 positions that will remain unaffected bythe relocation of the DHL Express European regional head office and other functions.
Jörg Wiedemann, DHL Express spokesman, told CEP-Research that the three departments were plannedto have been transferred to Leipzig, Prague and Bonn but would now stay in Brussels.
DHL said its decision to retain the departments in Brussels follows an extensive review andcareful analysis of the original business plan.
Ken Allen, Global CEO of DHL Express, explained: “We’ve had strong business growth in 2010 andthe economic climate is generally becoming more positive. Therefore we have been able to retainthese departments which have a very specific expertise and knowledge. Our employees are crucial forour continued success. At the time, we informed unions and the government that we would do our bestto retain positions in Belgium.”
“Today we can say we have successfully transferred the majority of regional activities; I amconfident we have reached a sustainable solution to meet our business and customer needs making uscompetitive for the years to come,” he added.
Danny Van Himste, Managing Director DHL Express Belux, commented: “This announcement underpinsthe strategic importance of Belgium to DHL. Our country is a focal market when it comes to importand export in Europe and beyond. Once again, the fact that these departments stay in Belgium showsthat we provide great added value to the DHL network and are here to stay.”
At the end of 2009, DHL Express announced plans to cut 788 jobs in Brussels with the relocationof its European head office to Bonn, IT activities to Prague and aviation activities toLeipzig.
