DHL takes over Deutsche Steinkohle logistics center in Hirschbach, Saarland

Deutsche Post World Net subsidiary DHL took over the Hirschbach logistics center of Deutsche Steinkohle AG (DSK), located in the German state of Saarland. The logistics specialists at DHL Exel Supply Chain will operate the center and assume 113 staff currently employed by DSK. As part of the deal, DHL will integrate the center within its existing global network and open it up for other customers, securing the long-term future and further development of the site.

The 85,000m² center includes 14,000m² hall storage area and is responsible for warehousing and supply to the Saar mine in Ensdorf and the central workshop in Hirschbach. DHL is taking over the entire warehouse management, quality control of materials and reverse logistics. The materials held in the warehouse include giant equipment such as extracting plants, power trains and engines, all the way down to spare parts and consumables. For DSK, signing the outsourcing contract guarantees the future of the site. “We wanted to give our logistics personnel a promising future. By opening the site to third-party customers, the center will be developed further during the next years. We’re delighted to be working with DHL, a partner that will be able to manage this task”, said Franz-Josef Heiermann, head of materials management at Deutsche Steinkohle AG.

Stefan Kurrle, Chief Executive Officer of DHL Exel Supply Chain Central Europe, welcomed the contract with DSK as an entry into the industrials sector and an extension of DHL’s overall outsourcing offering. “We have wide experience in taking over complex logistics structures, relying on a tried-and-tested concept based on stability, quality and growth. We will rapidly integrate the Hirschbach center into our network while guaranteeing DSK the usual quality of logistics services. Our next step will be to develop the site for new logistics activities in other sectors.”