US$ 20.2 million investment in state-of-the-art, iconic logistics facility

New location to increase connectivity and speed across the Kingdom and international markets

Riyadh, 6 May, 2015

DHL, the world's leading logistics provider, opened the doors to its largest Air/Ground operations facility in Riyadh today, located at Riyadh King Khalid International Airport. The opening ceremony was hosted by Ken Allen, DHL Express Chief Executive Officer, Nour Suliman DHL Express Middle East and North Africa CEO and HRH Prince Mohammad Bin Saud Bin Nayef Bin Abdelaziz Al Saud who opened the center with the traditional unveiling of the plaque.

The US$20.2 million state-of-the-art facility is part of DHL's expansion strategy in the Kingdom. The bonded facility is 12,000 sqm with a built up area of 4,000 sqm, a great milestone for the future of Saudi Arabia's logistics industry. It is the second of three new facilities that DHL Express has in plan for the Kingdom and that would total an investment size of over USD 95 million. According to a report1 Saudi Arabia is ranked second in logistics in the Agility Index just behind China with the UAE, Oman and Qatar being ranked for their 'market compatibility'.  The investment will help support DHL's continued growth in Saudi Arabia and the wider region resulting in even better transit times and network reliability.

Nour Suliman, CEO, Middle East and North Africa, DHL Express, said: "The Middle East and North Africa and its trading links are growing in importance in the global logistics industry with strong growth projections for the next few years. Our plan is to be right at the center of that growth to serve our customers. Saudi Arabia is one of the region's biggest markets for DHL Express. Our capability in Saudi Arabia is a key revenue and service driver for the region."

DHL Express' new Riyadh facility will introduce a new network flight plus the continuous use of commercial flights which will bring in 7,500 shipments daily that will now be promptly cleared as the facility will have its own on-ground customs clearance that is Transport Asset Protection Association (TAPA) certified.

Spanning across an area of 12,000 square meters which is equivalent to 1.5 football pitches, some features of the new facility include:

  • 4,700 square meters of indoor sorting and loading area

  • Approximately 1,400 square meters of office space which will also serve as DHL's new head office in Riyadh/ Saudi Arabia.

  • Indoor loading for up to 38 courier vans, giving more security to customer's shipments, without exposure to sun or rain

  • Over 90 CCTV cameras keeping track of every shipment across the facility, filming three months' worth of footage in just one day

  • A conveyer and sorting belt extending across two floors measuring 600 meters

  • The conveyor belt will automatically weigh, measure and photograph up to 18,000 shipments per day

Geoff Walsh, Country Manager, DHL Express Saudi Arabia, commented: "This is a proud moment for us, our development in our capacity and network will allow us to meet the growing customer demand for fast and efficient shipment deliveries. The new facility will reduce the transit times by a day or two and will allow us to increase our flight capacity and schedules by 400 per cent therefore boosting customer satisfaction." 

DHL has been a pioneer in the Middle East logistics industry for more than 30 years and currently has 261 service centers and service points across 19 countries in the region and employs 5,000 employees across the Middle East of which nearly 1,000 are in Saudi Arabia. Through its innovation, service excellence and commitment, DHL continues to offer customers superior logistics solutions.

-Ends-

Media Contacts:
DHL Express
Hesham Salama
Email: Hesham.Salama@dhl.com

DABO & CO
Danielle Doueik
Mobile: +971 56 9510685
Email: danielle.d@daboandco.com

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 about 325,000 employees in over 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including e-commerce, technology, life sciences 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.

1 gulfbusiness.com/2015/01/saudi-arabia-climbs-2-logistics-index/#.VT46miGqqko

© Press Release 2015