The Airport Property Partnership completes new DHL Express hub in Heathrow


The construction of DHL Express UK’s new South East operation and Head Office in Colnbrook, on the western edge of Heathrow Airport, UK, has reached completion.

The 150,000 sq ft facility, developed by the Airport Property Partnership (APP), a joint venture between SEGRO and Aviva Investors, is part of a major UK investment plan by DHL.

The new site will see DHL Express relocate its Head Office and South East operation from its current smaller premises at APP’s Orbital Park, Heathrow. With a phased transition, the new Colnbrook site will be fully operational in early 2017.

The cross-dock facility will be home to 750 employees and manage DHL Express shipments for the South East of England. Designed around the DHL parcel sorting machinery to optimise its efficiency and allow 24/7 operation, the site will bring together DHL’s Distribution Centre, Service Centre and Head Office in one purpose built facility.

The move comes as DHL Express’ UK business continues to grow. Responding to the rapid rise in international shipping and e-commerce, DHL claims the new site will see capacity increase from 6,000 items per-hour to 28,000, allowing DHL to continue to meet its customers’ growing requirements.

Alan Holland, Director of APP and SEGRO’s Business Unit Director for Greater London, said, “This state of the art facility will provide the additional capacity which the company needs in order to cater for the significant growth they are experiencing. DHL Express is an important customer of APP, and as a result of our long-term relationship with them, we have been able to work together to ensure that this new unit meets their exact specification.”

The site is tailored to DHL Express’ needs and has been delivered on time and on budget. The building will also achieve BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and EPC ‘A’ ratings.

Source: SEGRO