DPD has opened a €32 million central hub for Poland in one of its largest investments in Centraland Eastern Europe in recent years to expand capacity for growing volumes.
The company held an official opening ceremony on October 11 for the new ultra-modern facility atStrykow, close to Lodz, in central Poland. The €32 million overall investment is its largest inPoland and one of its largest in Central and Eastern Europe, according to DPD Poland.
The hub, located where all the major domestic communication routes meet, completes the unique ‘diamond structure’ of DPD Poland, connecting the largest distribution centres across the country.The hub is strategically located close to the main intersection of the west-east A2 motorway fromthe German border to Warsaw and the A1 motorway from the port of Gdansk southbound to the cities ofKatowice and Cracow.
Spread on an area of almost 9 hectares, the hub comprises a 13,500 sqm warehouse and 2,500 sqmof offices. The building has 158 docking gates and there is space for up to 300 vehicles per night.The hub, one of the largest in DPD’s European network, can handle up to 4,000 tonnes of goods pernight.
Heart of the hub is a €16 million Vanderlande sorting system that can sort up to 35,000 parcelsan hour. There are two main sorting machines, each with capacity for 17,500 parcels per hour, and asorting machine for small parcels and envelopes that can handle 8,000 parcels per hour.
Rafal Nawloka, President of DPD Poland, commented: “The entire investment has taken us threeyears (from concept to this day), cost us €32 million and will soon provide jobs for 430 people. Weare initially making a substantial investment, which will shortly pay back, though. Despite comingat a considerable initial cost, the new DPD Poland Central Sorting Centre will help furtheroptimise operating costs over time and will be a very cost-effective investment in the longrun.
“This large undertaking is dictated by market growth on the one hand, and on the other hand, itintroduces flexible solutions that enable us to adjust to the changing expectations and needs ofour customers by offering them better and faster services. Our goal is to be a first-choice couriercompany,” he added.
DPD Poland, based in Warsaw, handled about 34 million parcels in 2010. Employing some 5,000staff, the company has a network of some 50 depots and a fleet of about 2,800 vehicles.
