DHL Supply Chain has opened two new state-of-the-art storage facilities in Auckland and Christchurch, offering a combined floor space of 12,500 square metres to serve the consumer electronics/retail goods and healthcare sectors respectively.
The new facilities add to DHL’s existing New Zealand footprint of 120,000 square metres and will help DHL Supply Chain service the evolving needs of existing customers, while supporting the logistics leader’s ambitious growth plans for the market.
DHL Supply Chain New Zealand managing director, Matt Casbolt said, “Over the past 12 months we have seen heightened pressures on global supply chains and an increased appetite for more robust local distribution capabilities. This investment will empower New Zealand businesses and organisations with more resilient supply chain capabilities to support their respective growth plans and business models.”
The Auckland facility extends DHL Supply Chain’s market-leading capacity for consumer products, servicing the retail, consumer electronics and consumer personal care sectors.
This additional capacity will enable customers to adapt inventory planning strategies as market conditions shift, hold more safety stock, and reduce the impact on their supply chains caused by supply and port disruptions. The facility is certified to store both food and pharmaceutical products and holds the latest licences for ISOs 9001:2015, 14001:2015, 45001:2018.
The Christchurch facility creates capacity for the distribution of healthcare products to the South Island. DHL’s industry leading cold-chain operations will ensure pharmaceutical products can be stored at their ideal temperature range, while specialised freezers will keep more sensitive products at ultra-cold temperatures.
In addition to reducing lead times for vital healthcare products, the Christchurch facility will ensure these products can be delivered where they are needed without disruptions resulting from natural events, cancelled ferry sailings or road closures.
“Healthcare is one of the most important industries, so ensuring we have the right infrastructure and capability on-shore was a priority,” Casbolt added.
“This investment helps us manage the short-term surge in demand for pharmaceuticals, but it also ensures New Zealand has a robust healthcare supply chain to meet future demand as the market grows.”
In addition to the use of environmentally friendly packaging solutions, DHL is reducing emissions as part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability that includes 80% of energy used in facilities coming from renewable energy sources, utilising motion sensor and LED lighting, and harvesting daylight.
“DHL Supply Chain is committed to doing its part to ensure our customers and partners have access to supply chain operations that are cost-efficient, operationally excellent and environmentally sustainable. DHL Supply Chain has set out to reduce all logistics-related emissions to zero by 2050, and these investments ensure we are on track to meet that goal,” Casbolt said.