DHL Supply Chain announced the opening of a new multi-user facility in Coventry. The new building is entirely powered by renewable electricity and is the first operationally carbon neutral new build DHL site in the UK.
The building, which has been certified as BREEAM ‘Outstanding’, features an air source heat pump which provides all the warehouse and office heating and cooling requirements. This system will save approximately 135 tonnes of CO2 annually compared to a gas-powered system. Meanwhile, 3000 solar panels, supported by a custom onsite battery storage system developed by DHL’s in-house Digital Manufacturing team, provide over 40% of the site’s electricity, and has increased energy self-sufficiency on site. The site load has been intuitively configured to use stored electricity via the battery storage solution and shift peak demand to off-peak; whilst a real time Building Management System allows continuous visibility of the system’s overall performance. The site features 30 electric vehicle charging spaces and uses all-electric material handling equipment as well as a brand new fully electric tug.
With 900,000 sq ft of operating space, the site has been configured for retail and consumer brands with omnichannel requirements thanks to high-capacity racking, a state-of-the-art pick to light system and three levels of mezzanine flooring for lightweight goods. Additional automation features include autonomous cleaning robots, a mobile wrapping robot, and a dimension system to automatically measure the dimensions and volume of parcels and pallets for faster categorisation and sorting.
The building has been designed with employee wellbeing front and centre. It includes biophilic interior design features to improve employees’ connectivity to the natural environment through features such as side panel windows to bring in natural light, living walls and plants, as well as the use of sustainable, recycled, and natural materials throughout the building. The site also features a contemplation room, a quiet room and a live kitchen serving freshly cooked, healthy meals.
The facility has been built in line with DHL’s Carbon Neutral Building Framework and supports DHL’s Sustainability Roadmap. By the end of 2025, all of DHL Supply Chain’s warehouses will be operationally carbon neutral.
The new warehouse is part of the expansion of the DHL Fulfillment Network (DFN) in the UK.
Source: DHL
