APP completes new Heathrow hub for DHL Express

DHL Express is to complete the relocation of its head office and South East operation to a 150,000 sq ft facility at Colnbrook early next year. The new site will see capacity increase from 6,000 items per-hour to 28,000.

Construction work on the facility, on the western edge of Heathrow, has now been completed. The site has been developed by the Airport Property Partnership (APP), a joint venture between SEGRO and Aviva Investors.

DHL Express will relocate from its current smaller premises at APP’s Orbital Park, Heathrow. With a phased transition, the 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.

Phil Couchman, CEO DHL Express UK and Ireland, said: “I’m thrilled that our operation will soon be moving into this impressive new facility. APP and Buckinghams have worked in partnership with us to ensure that the site is wholly tailored to our needs. This means that not only will our capabilities increase – helping us maintain the high level of service we deliver to our customers – but we’ll also provide a first class, modern and sustainable workspace for our people.”

Alan Holland, director of APP and SEGRO’s business unit director for Greater London, said: “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.”