DHL completes first phase of Leipzig hub expansion

DHL has completed the first construction phase of its EUR 150m hub expansion at Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany.

The firm is expanding its biggest hub to increase process capacity by 50% to more than 150,000 shipments per hour.

The new 40,000 square metre warehouse facility has now taken its first shipment, with more than 200 of 400 jobs to be created in the expansion now filled.

Ralph Wondrak, Managing Director, DHL Hub Leipzig GmbH said: “DHL has delivered on the promise we made when we moved to Leipzig. This investment will allow us to create ideal operational conditions for future growth. We take our responsibility as an investor and employer in the region very seriously.”

DHL now employs more than 3,800 people at its Leipzig hub, in which it has invested EUR 510m.

Along with the new warehouse, the German logistics giant is installing more efficient handling and sorting systems and almost 4,000 square metres of office space.

Markus Otto, managing director of DHL’s cargo airline, European Air Transport Leipzig GmbH, said: “The expansion enables us to increase the efficiency of our flight operations. With this, our aircraft load factors can be increased and quicker turnaround can be achieved for each flight at the hub.”

DHL said it is using lighting technology in the expanded facilities to minimise its electricity consumption, along with a rainwater management system that will provide an “environmentally-friendly” water supply.

The developments are part of DHL’s GoGreen programme, which seeks to cut the firm’s carbon footprint by 30% by 2020. The firm said that compared to other options available for the expansion, the project will save more than 1,800 tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year.