DHL Express pushes ahead with £10m UK investment programme
DHL Express has revealed it is in the middle of a £10m investment programme to promote its position as “international specialists in express shipping” for UK customers. The operator is improving its infrastructure across the country by launching 10 service centres during the course of this year. DHL said four of the centres had already gone live, and that six more will open before the end of 2011.
This investment is supported by a substantial outlay on a new advertising campaign, the company said.
DHL Express confirmed the network expansion was the result of “significant business growth in international shipments”. Sites in Stockton, Leeds and Maidstone have seen capacities increase to over three times their current size.
New service centres have already opened in Stockton, Edinburgh, Lincoln and Glasgow; with further sites confirmed for Maidstone, Leeds, and Newport areas.
The sites will have the “most efficient operational processes and equipment”, and also incorporate more “stringent environmental standards for heating and lighting”.
Phil Couchman, CEO of DHL Express UK and Ireland said: “These new opportunities enable us to improve our offering to our customers and strengthen our logistics network in the UK. We plan on continuing our investment to accommodate future growth requirements, and maintain and grow our high standards of operational efficiency.”
The new advertising campaign – called ‘The International Specialists’ – highlights DHL’s global expertise and capabilities to meet the express shipping needs of all industries, it said.
Shannon Diett, marketing director of DHL International (UK) commented: “The aim of this campaign is to re-establish our brand personality and marketing leadership, by showing how DHL is truly at the heart of businesses all over the world, operating at the “Speed of Yellow.
“DHL Express connects more businesses to more people in more places around the world than anyone else, and we feel this campaign will really showcase us as the international experts that we are.”
The launch of the campaign also coincides with all DHL Express staff taking part in the Certified International Specialist (CIS) programme. Designed by the operator, the accreditation programme is built to increase employees’ knowledge of changing international business and enhancing customer satisfaction. By October 2011, all 100,000 DHL Express employees globally will have completed the foundation programme.
