DHL Express invests in a new and bigger San Diego service centre

DHL Supply Chain has signed an expanded agreement with Locus Robotics, to extend its Accelerated Digitalization strategy.

DHL relocated its facility in San Diego to a space that is more than double the size of the previous location. The $22m investment in the DHL Express service centre increases shipment capacity and enables faster shipment processing, resulting in earlier deliveries for local customers.

The newly-relocated facility at 655 Gateway Center Way is near the San Diego International Airport (SAN). It is the company’s third-largest pickup and delivery facility in the U.S.  With more than 86,000 sq. ft of warehousing and office space, the operation is also improved with newly upgraded material handling equipment, along with more than double the number of available courier load positions – from 33 to 85 – around two conveyor belts. This gives the operation the space needed to grow and improves first-stop delivery times for its delivery services by at least 40 minutes in the local market.

“Situated within the Pacific Rim and near the U.S.-Mexico border, San Diego continues to be an attractive area for international business opportunities – and our continued growth in international package volume reflects that,” said Aaron Gallagher, Vice President and General Manager of Western U.S. for DHL Express. “This significant investment in San Diego ensures we can successfully grow with our import and export customers, enabling them to receive the highest level of service as they expand their businesses within the international marketplace.”

The new facility handles U.S. domestic and time-definite international shipments to and from the 220 countries and territories served by DHL. Its advanced material handling system can process up to 6,000 pieces per hour (PPH).

The San Diego service centre is planning to introduce electric pickup and delivery vehicles and has installed advanced EV charging systems throughout the warehouse. The facility is also on its way toward LEED certification, which provides a framework for healthy, efficient, carbon and cost-saving green buildings. It’s all part of Deutsche Post DHL Group’s sustainability roadmap, with its mission of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Source: DHL