Earlier this week, DHL eCommerce Solutions, a subsidiary of global logistics services provider Deutsche Post DHL Group, said it has relocated its Orlando, Fla, -based distribution center into a new space that is double the size of its previous location.
Located at 4752 Judge Road, Orlando, DHL said that this 129,000 square-foot facility is comprised of warehouse, conference, training and office space, for roughly 145 full- and part-time employees. It also has two NPI Gen3 Xstream Dual Lane Sliding Shoe Sorters which DHL installed earlier this year, processing more than 28,000 domestic and international lightweight parcels and packages per hour to different bin destinations, including tubs, carts, and gaylords. And it also has LED lighting and two electric vehicle charging stations set to be installed by the end of this year.
“We have operated in the Orlando area for more than a decade, and with this increased space, we can help our long-time and new customers grow while we manage significantly more e-commerce domestic and international volume,” said Lee Spratt, CEO of DHL eCommerce Solutions, Americas.
Scott Ashbaugh, VP of Operations, DHL eCommerce Solutions, Americas, told LM that during the pandemic, DHL eCommerce Solutions had already experienced a huge volume growth that forced it to acquire additional overflow space outside of its regular distribution center for manual operation.
“The new distribution center now allows us to bring all operations under one roof, automate previously manual work, and provide enough space and automation capacities with the planned volume growth until at least 2030,” he said.
Asbaugh added that a key focus for this Orlando facility, for DHL eCommerce Solutions, is providing domestic and international shipping of lightweight (<5 lbs.) parcels and packages.
When asked about the biggest benefits of this facility for customers, he explained how there are no capacity constraints, which might have resulted in delayed processing in the past couple of years, as well as better visibility on processing status due to more automation and earlier and/or additional piece-level scan events.
“Employees can benefit from better organized workflow, larger social areas, and improved climate control inside the building,” he added.
DHL officials said that the Orlando facility is part of DHL eCommerce Solutions’ five-year U.S. growth plan. Going back to February 2023, the company has moved its Stow, Ohio operation to a wholly-owned building, its Salt Lake City distribution center to a larger facility, and opened in June 2023 a brand new Kansas City, MO distribution center.