Deutsche Post prepares to transfer European logistics centre from Brussels to Leipzig
Deutsche Post, the German postal service operator, has overcome the final obstacle to transferring its European logistics centre from Brussels to Leipzig. DHL, the express and logistics subsidiary of the group, has concluded negotiations with Belgian trade unions regarding its current hub at Brussels airport, where the company has agreed to guarantee the preservation of jobs until April 2008. In exchange, staff have promised that there will be no disruptions to operations. DHL is planning to invest 300m euros in Leipzig, where the airport will be able to remain in operation 24 hours a day, unlike in Brussels. The company is to create around 3,500 jobs by 2012, and it is thought that a further 7,000 jobs could be created in the area.
The new project manager will be Michael Reinboth, who until now has been a member of the management board of DHL Express Deutschland, the German arm of DHL. A spokeswoman for Deutsche Post says that DHL has converted its declaration of intent regarding the expansion of Leipzig airport into a binding promise.
DHL Agrees with Belgian Trade Unions on Hub Relocation to Leipzig
German Business Digest 02-03-2005
Deutsche Post’s express and logistics unit DHL agreed with Belgian trade unions to safeguard jobs at its hub at the Brussels airport until April 2008, clearing the last obstacle to the relocation of its European logistics centre to the Leipzig/Halle airport from Brussels, DHL said on February 2, 2005.
DHL’s Brussels staff agreed, in turn, to prevent disruptions to operations.
The company signed a letter of intent to move its European hub to the Leipzig/Halle airport in eastern Germany in October 2004.
Michael Reinboth, management board member of DHL’s unit DHL Express Germany, was named manager of the new project.
DHL plans to invest 300 mln euro ($390.7 mln) by 2012 and to create 3,500 jobs at the airport, where it would be able to operate 24 hours a day, unlike in Brussels. The investment is expected to create further 7,000 jobs in the region of Leipzig.
Leipzig is becoming one of the most attractive business locations in Germany, Wulf Aengevelt, CEO of German real estate broker Aengevelt Immobilien, said. KarstadtQuelle’s mail order unit Quelle, carmakers Porsche and BMW and now DHL are based in the region.
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