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The new logistics center at Paris Charles-de-Gaulle Airport will further strengthen DHL’s position in France . An investment of 170 million euros has been made in a state-of-the-art building that can handle 38,000 shipments per hour. The new site meets strict environmental criteria and contributes to improving the CO2 balance.
(Bonn/Paris) DHL Express has opened its new international hub at Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle Airport. DHL has invested 170 million euros in the new site, which is ten times larger than the previous facility. This is the largest investment DHL Express has made in Europe in recent years and the largest in France since the company began operations in the country in 1976. The logistics center will strengthen DHL’s position in France, after the company has already invested 80 million euros in its French infrastructure over the past six years. With its solid network and next-generation infrastructure, DHL is well-equipped to support the growth of global trade and plan accordingly: shorter transit times, improved shipment tracking and security, as well as further improvements in working conditions for employees.
Fourth Largest Hub in the Network
John Pearson, CEO of DHL Express, explains: “The DHL Express hub at Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle Airport will play an important role in our international network. In terms of area and processing volume, it is the fourth largest hub in our European network – after Leipzig, East Midlands, and Brussels. Worldwide, we operate a total of 23 hubs, twelve of which are in Europe. The new facility is another step towards fulfilling our mission: connecting people, improving lives. During the Covid-19 pandemic, we played a crucial role. Even at the height of the pandemic, we were able to maintain connections between countries and ensure global trade. Thanks to our flexibility, our strong global network, and our dedicated teams, we delivered over a billion Covid-19 vaccine doses to more than 160 countries. With our state-of-the-art sorting center at Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle Airport and our presence in 220 countries, we have all the necessary tools to meet the new challenges of an increasingly connected world.”
In France and around the globe, package growth in online commerce has significantly increased due to Covid-19. This trend continues at a rapid pace in 2021. In 2020, the volume of DHL Express France increased by about eight percent compared to 2019 due to e-commerce. The recovery of trade among long-standing B2B customers has also led to higher shipment volumes for DHL Express in 2021.
Exceptional Capacities and 239 New Jobs
A total of 45 million euros has been invested in the state-of-the-art sorting system of the new facility. The processing capacity is 38,000 shipments (packages and flyers) per hour, which is 15 times higher than before. Almost 720 employees, including 239 newly hired staff, ensure that the 32,000 square meter operation runs around the clock. For customers in the Paris region, the new site at Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle Airport already offers a significant time savings of one hour for delivery and pickup of shipments.
Area of 13 Football Fields
The hub is located on an area of 91,000 square meters. This is equivalent to 13 football fields. Construction began in March 2020 and lasted 20 months. The site has been designed to accommodate growth over the next 10 years and can be expanded if necessary.
Philippe Prétat, CEO of DHL Express France, says: “The hub is the hub of our network in France and also Europe. The new site comes at just the right time – now that online commerce is booming. The trend was already present but was accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic and is expected to continue. We are ready to support this unprecedented growth. I am proud that the 3,350 employees of DHL Express in France have access to next-generation infrastructure that is also capable of meeting future challenges. DHL Express thus supports all businesses that want to trade under the best conditions worldwide. The consolidation of our network will benefit both our long-standing business customers and private customers.”
Better CO2 Balance
The hub at Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle Airport meets strict environmental criteria. Among other things, it is equipped with LED lighting with motion sensors, a sorting system with IE4 high-efficiency motors, and an energy-efficient air conditioning system. The site meets Deutsche Post DHL Group’s zero-emissions target for 2050. DHL Express France has also set a medium-term goal of conducting 70 percent of its pickups and deliveries with green transport solutions by 2025 and is intensifying its initiatives in this regard. The company has more than 100 emission-free vehicles and delivers to customers in more than 50 city centers. It is also developing numerous innovative solutions, such as on-demand delivery options, collaborative delivery by bicycle or on foot, and Relais Colis pickup stations.
Photo: © DHL
