DHL Express to expand retail network in Malaysia

DHL Express (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd is looking to expand its retail network in Penang, Johor Baharu and Kuala Lumpur this year to meet rising demand.

The company currently has three retail outlets in the Klang Valley, country manager for Malaysia and Brunei, Sam Leong, told reporters after the launch of the new DHL service centre in Glenmarie here today.

The RM21 million centre was officially opened by International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz.”We are looking into the possibility of further expanding our retail network based on market demand,” Leong said.

The company was currently carrying out research to identify the best locations for the new retail outlets based on customers’ requirements, he said.

The new service centre is a 60,000-square foot facility which houses 7,000 square feet of office space and features a fully automated material handling system, ball decks to handle containers, spot cooling in the warehouse, two-tier conveyer with sort systems and capacity for 90 employees to service 40 routes throughout the area.

Leong said the centre would also link directly with DHL’s gateway operations at Subang Airport.

The link would allow DHL to minimise transit times between the gateway and service centre to improve delivery times for its Klang Valley customers by half a day, he said.

The service centre provides a direct access point for retail customers and corporate clients and will be opened from 8.30am to 5.30pm from Monday to Friday and 8.30am to 1.00pm on Saturday.

Asked about merger and acquisition (M&A) plans, DHL senior vice president for Southeast Asia, Yasmin Aladad Khan, said: “We are looking at the possibility of M&A activity in China as it is our largest market.” “If there is an opportunity, we will definitely look into it, especially in the domestic business,” she said.