DHL Supply Chain Offers Dense Fulfillment Network in E-Commerce

DHL Supply Chain offers market partners in e-commerce a dense European fulfillment network. The scope of services can be modularly tailored and adjusted according to regions and countries, adapting and scaling to the customer’s order situation. Customers in the network have also achieved significant cost reductions while simultaneously realizing faster delivery times.

(Bonn) During the global Corona pandemic, the booming online trade has brought greater demand to shipping retailers and e-commerce shops across Europe. Brand shops and smaller sales platforms compete with large providers for customers. Here, DHL Supply Chain, a leading provider in contract logistics and part of Deutsche Post DHL Group, offers online retailers access to a Europe-wide network of 30 DHL-owned e-fulfillment centers. These strategically located sites, in close proximity to major metropolitan areas and package hubs, specialize in processing, picking, packing, and shipping online orders.

Decisive Factors for Purchase Decision

The price of the desired product is not the only decisive factor for the consumer’s purchase decision; delivery speed also plays a crucial role. More and more customers expect their orders the very next day. The geographical proximity of the warehouse to the desired delivery location is a key factor here. DHL Supply Chain is well positioned to offer customers a unique service.
“Normally, small and medium-sized businesses do not have the necessary capacity to be present in every European country. This means they lack geographical proximity to consumers and sales markets. And even for many larger providers, such extensive presence is often financially difficult to achieve and rarely cost-efficient. Here, we are now offering suppliers and online shops a multi-user network solution for the first time,” says Hendrik Venter, CEO of DHL Supply Chain MLEMEA. “Customers thus receive tailored and flexible access to all our established services. We can support customers along the entire supply chain – from goods receipt and storage to inventory management, last-mile delivery, and returns processing. Customers especially appreciate that we can scale this flexibly and according to actual order volumes, both nationally and internationally.”

Good Solutions for GB and Ireland Despite Brexit

In light of Brexit, the new offering has become even more interesting for companies from Great Britain and the EU: “We understand the needs of our customers and the demands of their end customers, who desire a flawless e-fulfillment solution – regardless of Brexit and its consequences. That is our goal,” says José Nava, CEO of DHL Supply Chain UK & Ireland.
“Due to the challenges of Brexit and the global impacts of COVID-19, our customers are interested in making their supply chains more resilient while also being more flexible. They need to be able to respond to volume fluctuations and potential obstacles on global trade routes. This also applies to companies in the EU that want to supply their customers in Great Britain in the most efficient way. The reduced dependence on individual markets and regions and the maintenance of multiple warehouses in different countries have been accelerated by the pandemic. And that will remain. Proximity to the market and a scalable network solution offer enormous advantages,” he adds.

Benefits from Bundling Multiple Customers

By bundling multiple customers at centrally located multi-user sites of DHL, retailers and companies pursuing a direct sales strategy towards their customers benefit. In a European network, not only can the needs of end customers for faster and more transparent delivery be significantly better met, but online shippers also benefit from the flexibility.
“We have found that DHL’s European fulfillment network fits ideally with our business strategy. After starting our e-commerce business with end customers in Germany, we now want to quickly expand into other European markets with this product,” says Manav Bhandari, CEO of Jamoona.
The scope of services of the European fulfillment network can be modularly tailored and adjusted according to regions and countries, and – thanks to a very short lead time for implementation – optimally adapted and scaled to the customer’s order situation. The strong regional presence of DHL Supply Chain in all major European markets, including Great Britain, is crucial here. A well-balanced network model can have a significant impact on the company’s profits. For example, a customer in the network was able to reduce delivery costs in Europe by 30%, also thanks to shipping at domestic rather than international rates.

More Transparent and Faster Delivery

Customers already using this flexible network solution have also achieved significant cost reductions while simultaneously realizing faster delivery times. Thus, users of DHL Supply Chain’s fulfillment network will not only benefit from greater flexibility through modular services but also enhance their attractiveness to their end customers through more transparent and faster delivery.
As a global leader in 3PL logistics, DHL Supply Chain collaborates with customers to develop omnichannel strategies, scale quickly, and optimize execution while the online retailer always retains full control over the customer journey of their orders. The customer thus benefits from industry-leading e-commerce expertise and DHL’s global capabilities in fulfillment and last-mile delivery.
Graphics: © DHL
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