Deutsche Post DHL has completed a 230m (US$253m) upgrade to its express hub in Leipzig, Germany, which will enable the carrier to sort bulkier and heavier shipments on an automated basis.
The introduction of the new state-of-the-art sorting equipment has boosted the processing capacity of the site by approximately 50%, meaning it can now handle up to 150,000 packages per hour. The project has also created 1,300 additional jobs, bringing the total number of people employed at the hub to approximately 4,900.
The new sorting technology is the first of its kind in the industry. It consists of a combination of various innovative conveyor technologies, enabling the fully automated handling of packages with a weight of up to 170kg (375 lb), which would otherwise be too heavy or bulky for standard conveyor belts.
Frank Appel, CEO of Deutsche Post DHL Group, said, “The successful launch of our expanded hub and the new sorting facility is a further step that reinforces the importance of Leipzig as our main European express hub. I am particularly delighted by the many additional jobs that we have been able to create. As a major employer and investor, we are very proud to be able to carry on supporting the positive economic development in Leipzig and the surrounding region.”
Ralph Wondrak, managing director of DHL’s Leipzig hub, said, “The expansion of our capacity and particularly the introduction of our new sorting technology provide our customers with two crucial advantages: even more reliability at an even greater speed. Through our investment, we are able not only to increase the daily capacity of our flights but also to further improve our efficiency. We are ensuring that Leipzig will continue to play a central role in the world of global trade.”
DHL’s expansion of the Leipzig hub is a strong reflection of its importance to trade activities within Europe and throughout the world. The expansion covers a total area of 44,000m² (474,000ft²), of which 40,000m² (431,000ft²) is dedicated to the warehouse building and 4,000m² (43,000ft²) to modern office facilities.
October 18, 2016