Parcel delivery and logistics supplier UPS has unveiled its plans to expand its package sorting and delivery facility in Herne in western Germany. The US$80m project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2017 and will more than double the operating area and sorting capacity of the hub.
Frank Sportolari, president of UPS Germany, said, “Herne has been a key location in our network since we opened the original building in 1986, and today’s investment will support our commitment to reliably and efficiently connect our customers to destinations across Germany, Europe and the world.”
When complete, the facility will have an operating area of 270,000ft² and will be capable of sorting more than 36,000 items per hour. Furthermore, the number of loading and unloading bays for containers will almost double to approximately 130, with 180 parking positions for delivery trucks. UPS currently employs 1,100 people in its operation in Herne, and the expansion is expected to create up to 300 new jobs at the hub.
Herne Mayor Frank Dudda said, “This will create important new jobs for the city and the region. At the same time, the expansion strengthens Herne as a logistics and business location. The strong infrastructure and central location of Herne and the Ruhr area position our city as an ideal logistics site.”
March 14, 2016