DHL Express Bolsters Network Connectivity with New A$20 Million Melbourne Gateway Facility

SINGAPORE, Aug. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- DHL, the world's leading logistics company, today opened its new DHL Express Melbourne Gateway facility to better support regional businesses operating in and out of Australia. The new facility, in line with DHL Express' global investments to bolster the company's network connectivity, boasts a total investment of A$20 million (EUR14 million), the largest infrastructural amount invested by DHL Express in Australia.

DHL Express State-of-the-art Melbourne Gateway Facility

Strategically located at Melbourne Airport, the facility employs almost 100 people and DHL is the only express logistics company with airside access, providing direct links to airlines and cargo terminal operators. The 14,800sqm DHL Melbourne Gateway, which comprises of a warehouse (5,300sqm), office (915sqm) and open areas (8,600sqm), features state-of-the-art capabilities to enable shipment processing of more than 53,000 kilograms each day.

The TAPA 'A' rated facility also boasts several industry-leading features, including: two X-ray machines for scanning shipments, three telescopic conveyors which double shipment uploading and offloading frequency, as well as an onsite LED panel to monitor flight information. Dedicated Customs and Quarantine offices are housed within the facility and 100 closed circuit televisions (CCTVs) have also been installed to provide 24-hour monitoring services and further enhance shipment security. 

As part of DHL's GoGreen program, the company has installed environmentally friendly technologies such as sensor LED lighting, reducing carbon emissions by almost 50 per cent.

DHL Express Asia Pacific CEO, Mr Jerry Hsu officiated the launch of the facility alongside the Honourable Lily D'Ambrosio, Victorian Minister for Industry, Energy and Resources.

Mr Jerry Hsu said: "I'm pleased to officially open our new Melbourne Gateway facility, which enables local businesses to trade with customers around the world. The newly minted China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) and other established Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) have enabled Australian exports with greater access to international markets. China is Australia's largest export market for both goods and services, accounting for nearly a third of Australia's total exports, and a growing source of foreign investment. Going by previous FTAs with countries such as Korea and Japan, demand for Australian exports is only set to increase especially in the dairy, horticulture, mining and services sectors."

On opening the facility, Victorian Minister for Industry, Lily D'Ambrosio, commented: "The Victorian Government recognizes that companies like DHL Express, and the Victorian businesses who use the Melbourne Gateway facility, are the driving force of our economy. The DHL Express Melbourne Gateway facility is one of Victoria's gateways to the world, enabling local businesses to export and trade with customers globally."

Gary Edstein, Senior Vice President of DHL Express Oceania added: "We're seeing strong growth in exports from Melbourne, hence the need to more than double our previous facility. Almost 30% of our Australian volume currently passes through the Melbourne Gateway, highlighting the trade requirements the Victorian state demands. This investment shows our commitment to offering Australian businesses with the highest quality express delivery service globally."

The five key outbound trade lanes that will benefit from the Melbourne Gateway facility include New Zealand, mainland China, USA, Singapore and Hong Kong. Key export commodities from Australia include coal, iron ore, gold, meat, wool, alumina, wheat, machinery and transport equipment, according to the 2014 DHL Global Connectedness Index[1]. Imports come from over 220 countries and territories that DHL operates in, with USA, UK, mainland China, Hong Kong and New Zealand topping the list. Mainland China remains as Australia's top trading partner, with total trade in goods and services between both countries amounting to over A$159 billion[2].

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DHL - The logistics company for the world

DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. DHL's family of divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With more than 325,000 employees in over 220 countries and territories worldwide, they connect people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including e-Commerce, technology, life science and healthcare, energy, automotive and retail, a proven commitment to corporate responsibility and an unrivalled presence in developing markets, DHL is decisively positioned as "The logistics company for the world".

DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of more than 56 billion euros in 2014.

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