DHL expands express lanes between Asia, US and Middle East

DHL Express, the world’s leading cross-border express services provider, is expanding its global capabilities and improving customer service through a significant investment programme into infrastructure, its employees and its brand.

The company has introduced an additional next-day intercontinental flight between Asia-Pacific and the US and another one from the US to the Middle East to help meet growing demand for services on these lanes. It also updated the progress of its North Asia Hub in Shanghai to be opened in early 2012.

As part of the Certified International Specialist program, DHL is investing in certifying all its 100,000 employees as ‘International Specialists’ in the Express industry.

The company also launched a new global marketing campaign highlighting DHL’s international expertise and capabilities to meet the express shipping needs of all industries.

Ken Allen, CEO of DHL Express, said: “In upgrading our global infrastructure we are delivering on our promise to be the world’s leading international cross-border express brand. We are thereby helping our customers get their goods significantly faster to their markets and making it easier for companies to access key industrial production centres.”

Additional daily intercontinental routes

DHL Express has established an additional daily intercontinental route from Hong Kong to Cincinnati, as a direct response to increasing demands for services from South China and Hong Kong to North America. Through this, customers will enjoy a later pick up time out of Hong Kong and Pearl River Delta, and overnight service to North America.

DHL also launched a new direct route connecting Cincinnati and Bahrain to facilitate the increased trade between North America and the Middle East. The route shortens delivery time by one day. DHL’s Bahrain Hub is a key entry point into Middle East countries and important link to Europe and Asia.

North Asia Hub in Shanghai on track to open early 2012

Built at an investment of USD 175million, the North Asia Hub is situated at an airside location in the West Cargo Area of the Shanghai Pudong International Airport. The 57,000 sqm hub will be built on a total land area of 88,000 sqm, equipped with leading edge automated sorting systems. Construction is progressing according to schedule and will open in early 2012.

Asia Pacific region under new Express leadership

Jerry Hsu, currently President of Greater China Area, will take over the role as CEO Express Asia Pacific comprising of China, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South East Asia, India and South Asia, Oceania and other markets and territories in the region.

Jerry is a veteran business leader in Asia and has an impeccable record in the region. Over the past 10 years in DHL Express he developed and successfully led the Greater China markets to dominate the Express industry and enhanced the success of the DHL network. In his new role, Jerry will focus on creating the most efficient model for this important geography, drive growth and develop DHL’s market-leading position.

Investment in people

DHL Express is investing in improving staff service levels through the Certified International Specialist (CIS) programme. Designed by DHL, the accreditation programme is aimed at increasing employees’ knowledge of changing international business and enhancing customer satisfaction. By October 2011, all 100,000 DHL Express employees globally will have completed the foundation programme. Says Ken Allen, “We understand that our employees are what make us the number one express company in the world and we are committed to investing in them to ensure that DHL has a competitive edge to succeed in the global marketplace.”

New global advertising campaign launched

DHL launched its global International Specialist advertising campaign in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The campaign will run in business media, local radio, television, print, digital, and out-of-home space in Asia and later, in other global markets. The advertisements highlight express shipping needs of all industries and focuses on DHL’s expertise in delivering on-time, every time.

DHL Express forecasts world economy to grow at slower pace

HONG KONG (Reuters): DHL Express, a division of Europe’s biggest mail and express delivery company Deutsche Post AG, expects the world economy to grow in 2011 but at a slower pace than last year, Chief Executive Ken Allen said.

DHL Express, market leader in international express services, also said it had set up an additional daily international route from Hong Kong to Cincinnati in the United States to meet rising demand.

After DHL recorded solid growth in the first five months of this year, Allen said he expected global gross domestic product to rise this year but at a tamer pace.

“I think the rate of increase will not be as fast (as last year) because last year we were bouncing back from recession from the previous year,” he told reporters at a news conference in Hong Kong.

DHL express’ business was growing at between 1.5 and two times worldwide GDP growth on average, he added.

DHL Express said it operated daily in Japan throughout the earthquake and tsunami period in March and saw little change in the volume of shipments.

“There was a little bit of volume fluctuation in the first few days but actually the volume in and out of Japan is largely the same as last year,” said Charlie Dobbie, Executive Vice President for Global Network Operations and IT.

DHL Express said it was expanding its fleet of fuel-efficient vehicles and aircraft, acquiring 13 Airbus 300-600 for its European aircraft fleet from Japan Airlines Corp for an undisclosed sum. The new planes use up to 20 per cent less energy.

They would enter a conversion programme and go to European regional networks where they would replace some older aircraft, Dobbie said.