DHL UAE OPENS NEW AIR EXPRESS CENTRE IN DUBAI

NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY TO CATER TO PROJECTED 20% AREA SHIPMENT GROWTH

DHL UAE has opened a new Dhs.1 million service, logistics and sales centre in Karama, Dubai to cater to a projected 20% shipment growth in the district over the coming year.The new 5,500 square metre centre, near the Al Ghandi showroom, triples DHL's presence in Karama. It includes a walk-in 'shop front' style service centre, mezzanine logistics operation and strategic parts warehouse.

"This development has been fuelled by organic growth," said David Wild, General Manager, DHL UAE. "Our previous Karama facility was literally bursting at the seams and, as we are projecting a one-fifth rise in shipments from Dubai over the coming year, new, enhanced facilities were required.

"We envisage growth emanating from an enhanced logistics offering, from our door-to-door, trade-made-easy import express service and from heightened demand for package and redistribution services."DHL has recruited additional courier and administration staff for the new Karama operation which incorporates state-of-the-art automation, enhanced I.T. solutions for route optimisation and transport harmonisation and allows process flow of both small and large consignments. DHL UAE is also planning to recruit additional couriers to service downtown Dubai.

"Overall the investment means our customers will experience enhanced service levels, better handling and easier access to centrally located facilities," said Bachi Spiga, Country Services Manager, DHL UAE. "Any time savings accrued in pick up and deliveries will be passed on to the customer."

The Karama project is part of a major capital investment programme launched earlier this year by DHL UAE and which, to date, has seen the company plough over US $4 million into new express logistics facilities in the Dubai Airport Free Zone, Abu Dhabi city and Al Ain."One of our strategic critical deliverables this year is to ensure we are present in all key towns throughout the UAE," explained Wild. "Plans on how to better serve key towns in the Northern Emirates are currently being reviewed."