“Significant investment” to expand DHL’s global capabilities, Hsu promoted

DHL Express has launched a “significant investment programme” in a bid to expand its global capabilities – including additional flights, a new hub, staff training and brand management. The operator today (31 May) introduced an additional daily intercontinental route from Hong Kong to Cincinnati, as “a direct response to increasing demands for services from South China and Hong Kong to North America”. Customers in the region will now enjoy a later pick up time out of Hong Kong and Pearl River Delta, and overnight service to North America.

Furthermore, a new direct route connecting Cincinnati and Bahrain will “facilitate the increased trade between North America and the Middle East”. DHL said the route shortens delivery time by a day.

DHL also noted that its new $175m North Asia Hub, situated at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, will open early next year. The 57,000 square hub will be built on a total land area of 88,000 square metres. It will be equipped with “leading edge automated sorting systems,” the operator confirmed.

Leading operations in the area will be Jerry Hsu, who has been promoted to CEO Express Asia Pacific. He is currently president of Greater China Area. With his promotion, Hsu will oversee operations in China, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South East Asia, India and South Asia, Oceania and other markets and territories in the region.

Over the past decade at DHL Express, Hsu developed and “successfully led the Greater China markets to dominate the Express industry and enhanced the success of the DHL network”. The company said that in his new role, Hsu “will focus on creating the most efficient model for this important geography, drive growth and develop DHL’s market-leading position”.

Ken Allen, CEO of DHL Express, said: “In upgrading our global infrastructure we are delivering on our promise to be the world’s leading international cross-border express brand. We are thereby helping our customers get their goods significantly faster to their markets and making it easier for companies to access key industrial production centres.”

DHL Express is also investing in improving staff service levels through the Certified International Specialist (CIS) programme. By October 2011, all 100,000 DHL Express employees globally will have completed the foundation programme.

Allen added: “We understand that our employees are what makes us the number one express company in the world and we are committed to investing in them to ensure that DHL has a competitive edge to succeed in the global marketplace.”

The operator today launched its global International Specialist advertising campaign in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

The campaign will run in business media, local radio, television, print, digital, and out-of-home space in Asia and later, in other global markets.