DHL has announced the expansion of its facilities in New Zealand with the creation of new sites in Auckland and Christchurch.
The company said the two new sites provide a combined floor space of 12,500 square metres and will serve a range of sectors, including pharmaceuticals and medical devices.
According to Matt Casbolt, the managing director of DHL Supply Chain New Zealand, “Over the past 12 months, we have seen heightened pressures on global supply chains and an increased appetite for more robust local distribution capabilities. This investment will empower New Zealand businesses and organisations with more resilient supply chain capabilities to support their respective growth plans and business models.”
The new facility in Auckland is certified to store pharmaceutical products.
The company said that, importantly, the new facility in Christchurch creates the capacity for the direct distribution of medical products across New Zealand's south island.
It includes significant cold-chain capacity with specialised freezers that will keep more sensitive products at ultra-cold temperatures. The facility is located within close proximity to Christchurch International Airport, as well as major arterial routes and forwarding hubs.
"In addition to reducing lead times for vital healthcare products, the Christchurch facility will ensure these products can be delivered where they are needed without disruptions resulting from natural events, cancelled ferry sailings or road closures. In tandem with the facility build, the Christchurch facility has been MEDSAFE approved to provide secondary packing services for certain vaccines," said the company in a statement.
“Healthcare is one of the most important industries, so ensuring we have the right infrastructure and capability on-shore was a priority,” added Mr Casbolt. “This investment helps us manage the short-term surge in demand for pharmaceuticals, but it also ensures New Zealand has a robust healthcare supply chain to meet future demand as the market grows.”
The company said it also remains on track to achieve its goal of zero emissions by 2050. It said 80 per cent of the energy used in its facilities comes from renewable energy sources.
“DHL Supply Chain is committed to doing its part to ensure our customers and partners have access to supply chain operations that are cost-efficient, operationally excellent and environmentally sustainable,” said Mr Casbolt. “DHL Supply Chain has set out to reduce all logistics-related emissions to zero by 2050, and these investments ensure we are on track to meet that goal.”
