A new 220,000ft (67,056m) distribution center just six miles from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport has been opened by DHL eCommerce following a US$57.5m investment.
The facility will process B2C e-commerce domestic inbound and outbound parcels and packages and will have a capacity of 24,000 parcels per hour thanks to a state-of-the-art single-level next-generation loop sorter feeding eight induction lines. The loop sorter has a 97% to over 99% accuracy rate, according to DHL.
“We are thrilled to announce the relocation of DHL eCommerce’s distribution center to a larger facility in thriving Irving, TX, with easy access to the international airport for air and ground transport,” said Lee Spratt, CEO of DHL eCommerce, Americas. “This relocation demonstrates our ongoing commitment to innovation and increasing our capacity to process our customers’ ever-growing shipping needs.”
Sustainable features
The building is kept cool using a building management system to manage environmental controls, exhaust fans and louvers for fresh air flow, an insulated roof deck, solar shades on the exterior windows, and LED lighting inside and outside. Additionally, more than 30 native trees were planted across the property to provide shade and an EV charger has been installed that can charge two vehicles at once.
The distribution center contains 46 loading dock doors, two drive-in ramps, 11 offices, conference and huddle rooms, 12 cubicles, a kitchenette and a multipurpose room for nursing mothers and miscellaneous uses.
Pop-up service point
DHL has also announced the launch of a new mobile pop-up store in San Antonio, TX. The 2,200ft3 (62m3), 100% off-the-grid, mobile DHL Service Point offers a convenient, easy-to-use shipping option for customers.
The retail pop-up will cater to increased B2C and B2B shipping demands in the area, in part due to the sizable immigrant community that relies on international shipping to stay connected with relatives and friends in Mexico and throughout Latin America.
“San Antonio is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, and this expansion aims to meet the rising demand for international shipping services here,” stated Aaron Gallagher, SVP commercial for DHL Express US. “The introduction of an innovative mobile pop-up store is designed to enhance accessibility and offer customers a faster, more convenient experience for their international and domestic shipping needs.”
Solar-powered unit
The new Service Point is entirely powered by a solar-paneled system, contributing to reduced energy consumption, and aligning with the company’s sustainability mission to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
The efficient point-of-sale system can process shipments to US destinations and any of the 220 countries and territories that DHL serves. Supplies such as bubble wrap, packing tape and DHL-branded boxes are available at the mobile unit.
The mobile DHL Service Point location in San Antonio was developed in partnership with Flexetail, a leading designer and builder of mobile shops.