DPD has launched a new depot in Mannheim

DPD has launched its new depot in Mannheim, investing around 10 million euros. Over 5,000 square meters will handle up to 20,000 packages per day. The 79th depot of DPD alleviates the existing location in nearby Worms.

(Mannheim/Aschaffenburg) Last weekend, the new DPD depot in Mannheim commenced operations. Initially, around 16,500 packages will be processed daily on over 5,000 square meters. After a successful ramp-up phase, the new parcel facility can sort up to 20,000 packages daily. The operational business is supported by around 180 employees and provides significant relief for the location in nearby Worms.

At the Worms parcel sorting center, DPD has reached capacity limits, and further expansion was no longer possible. However, no suitable areas could be found in the region for new construction. Therefore, the international parcel and express service provider acquired and upgraded an existing property in Mannheim, from which cities such as Mannheim, Heidelberg, and Walldorf will be supplied with packages.

State-of-the-art parcel sorting facility

Inside, a new, state-of-the-art parcel sorting facility has been established. It was installed by BUDDE Fördertechnik, a long-standing partner of DPD. The facility is built to the latest standards and features extremely energy-efficient and quiet motors and drives. In an initial ramp-up phase, up to 16,500 packages can be sorted daily, with the potential to increase the daily package volume to up to 20,000. Additionally, the new Mannheim depot offers further capacity expansion options, allowing for an additional 3,500 packages to be processed daily if needed.

In addition to relieving the depots in Worms, depot manager Daniel Ay sees further advantages of the Mannheim location: “By moving to Mannheim, we overcome the Rhine as a natural barrier. Previously, every driver had to cross the river every morning – with a limited number of road bridges. This saves time: We are now 35 kilometers and thus about half an hour closer to the delivery area, saving travel distances and CO2 emissions.” Moreover, the location of the depot is ideal: The highway connection is just 10 minutes away, and the city of Mannheim and the adjacent Rhine-Neckar region are also very accessible.

Further opportunities for the Mannheim region

With the addition of the Mannheim location to the depot network, DPD Germany has further planning opportunities in the region. The relief in Worms allows for easier advancement of local site planning. At the same time, the spatial proximity to metropolitan regions also offers a chance to expand the electrically operated fleet: “We see enormous potential in converting vehicles for environmentally friendly delivery, which we already operate in Heidelberg in the form of cargo bikes. But not only the surrounding cities are suitable for such deliveries. Some peripheral areas are also potentially eligible for delivery with electrically operated vehicles,” Ay concluded.

Numbers and facts about the new DPD depot in Mannheim

• Commissioning:                     September 2020
• Investment amount:               around 10 million euros
• Land area:                       16,800 sqm
• Building area:                       5,250 sqm
• Employees:                           around 180
• Daily package volume:          20,000 packages per day at full capacity (16,500 at the start)

• Sorting capacity:                       7,000 packages per hour
• Delivery area (selection):      Mannheim, Heidelberg, Wiesloch, Walldorf, Hockenheim, Weinheim, Viernheim

Photo: © DPD

www.dpd.de