DHL opens up new Philadelphia- and New Jersey-area service centers

Global express delivery and logistics services provider DHL said this week it has opened up new service centers in Philadelphia and New Jersey, including northern Delaware, in a $20 million investment to expand its service footprint in this region.

Company officials said that this investment—for these two service centers, which cumulatively account for 238,872 square-feet and add 144,875 square-feet of improved working space compared to its previous facilities—helps to establish what it described as more conveniently located and spacious facilities that will boost shipment capacity and also enable faster shipment processing, to provide earlier deliveries for local customers.

The new Philadelphia facility is located at 550 Elmwood Avenue in Sharon Hill, Penn., in close proximity to the greater Philadelphia downtown area and Philadelphia International Airport, which it said will maximize the deliveries service window. And DHL said that it is increasing capacity for future growth by splitting its former facility there into two locations, with each closer to its customers there. The other facility is occupied by its sister company, DHL Global Forwarding, which is located at 850 Calcon Hook Road in Sharon Hill, Penn.

And the New Jersey facility, which is located at 1240 Forest Parkway, Suite 400, West Depord, brings increased morning and evening processing capacity and cuts down on courier route miles in the Greater Philadelphia/Southern New Jersey markets, as well as provide service for northern Delaware region-based customers.

“We continue to see strong B2C and B2B e-commerce shipping trends from customers, and this only continues to grow,” a DHL spokesman told LM. “The expansion increases our capacity to help us manage current growth and what we expect in the years to come, while enabling us to provide a high level of service to local customers.”

When asked about the main benefits of this expansion for DHL’s shipper customers, the spokesman explained that the expansion features upgraded material handling equipment that increases import capacity by 50% and export capacity by 30%, and will allow first deliveries to go out 30 minutes earlier. And these locations, according to DHL, provide 140 pickup and delivery vehicle positions, with more than 200 combined employees.

“By strategically choosing to relocate and expand in these key markets, we are ensuring our customers receive the highest levels of service while making smart investments for future growth,” said Reiner Wolfs, Vice President and General Manager, Northeast Area, DHL Express, in a statement. “With 10-year leases signed at both locations, DHL is committed long-term to these communities and our local employees.”