DHL Supply Chain have launched a new 90,000 square metre supply chain campus in Sydney's western suburbs this morning, with NSW premier Mike Baird MP presiding over the opening.
The NSW Premier congratulated DHL Supply Chain on the creation of 500 new jobs at its new warehousing sites at Horsley Park.
“DHL’s expansion plans over the next few years means that number will continue to grow,” Baird said.
“The NSW Government’s massive infrastructure program for Western Sydney is giving companies like DHL the confidence to invest in this vibrant region.”
The $120 million DHL Campus features some of the company’s most innovative technological developments, including measures to reduce costs and create new sustainability initiatives.
A multi-million dollar automation solution has provided retailers with improved speed to market whilst significantly reducing the warehousing labour requirements.
To support environmental objectives, DHL has invested in a polystyrene extruder, capable of reducing a semi-trailer load of foam packaging down to one pallet of solid material.
DHL senior solution design manager Mark Hopes said the extruder not only decreased landfill output but also recycling the waste into a “viable and valuable product” which is resalable as a building material.
The campus also has a biomass facility which reduces 60 per cent of landfill produced down to 5 per cent, and fuels water heating for washing pallets and crates.
The new DHL facility is also closely involved in supply chain logistics for Australian airline Qantas, ensuring full supply of above-wing products for all of their domestic and international flights.
DHL national quality manager for airline business solutions Michael Bowels said DHL Supply Chain was closely involved in the planning of supply for Qantas, forecasting the needs for individual flights based information gathered by the airline.
“We are privy to that information via monthly reports,” Bowels said.
“Qantas are our main airline customer, so we're a lot more engaged in this than our traditional business units.
“There's the added pressure that if we don't do our job properly, you don't get a meal on your flight.”
DHL have plans to continue expanding the new supply chain campus, from the four buildings now in place to a further two in the next year which will bring the facility to more than 100,000 square metres.
DHL Supply Chain Australia managing director Saul Resnick said DHL was experiencing continued demand for warehousing space in Sydney.
“Our customers are increasingly more willing to go into multi-user warehouses as they value the flexibility in overhead and labour costs to accommodate their changing business requirements,” he said.
“With expected new business and customer expansion, we are looking to build another three facilities in the coming years,” said,
“DHL is proud to support continued growth and employment in Western Sydney and more importantly, help Australia’s leading companies supply products to consumers, from toothpaste and snacks, to computers and life-saving medications.”
Resnick said DHL Supply Chain had 600 staff ten years ago, a labour force which has grown to more than 3000 staff across 50 locations nationwide, supplying Airline, Automotive, Consumer, Energy, Healthcare and Retail industries, with a warehousing footprint currently in excess of 570,000 square meters.