In June, Deutsche Post DHL Group opened the most modern and efficient sorting center in Obertshausen, with a sorting capacity of 50,000 parcels per hour. Over 6 kilometers of sorting and conveyor lines were installed across approximately 37,000 square meters of interior space, featuring more than 400 sorting terminal points where employees load parcels for further shipment. More than 2,000 tons of steel were used for the construction, which is one-third of the amount of steel used to build the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
– By implementing this project, we have taken a completely new direction and, for the first time, assumed the role of manufacturer for the installed sorting system. We have gained not only significant innovative potential but also the opportunity to continuously develop our technical expertise. As a result, the Obertshausen facility will set standards for the future – not only for us but for the entire sector – says Jürgen Gerdes, Board Member of the Post – eCommerce – Parcel division at Deutsche Post DHL Group.
For comparison, the sorting capacity of our existing facilities ranged between 30,000 and 40,000 shipments per hour. The opening of the 34th DHL sorting center in Germany is another milestone in the systematic expansion of the network in Germany and the establishment of new standards at the European level. Beyond increasing capacity, reducing transit times and increasing flexibility is the goal aimed at meeting the constantly growing expectations of customers. In the new mega-sorting center in Obertshausen, Deutsche Post DHL Group uses state-of-the-art technology that speeds up task execution while making them easier for employees. The company invested a total of tens of millions in its new location.
– Innovative technical solutions applied for the first time at the Obertshausen terminal have laid the foundation for the development of new products and services for our parcel business – claims Gerdes.
Even more flexible options and delivery times, more detailed shipment tracking, and additional shipping information are just examples of future services included in the DHL Parcel package. The new facility has allowed for the creation of approximately 600 jobs – both in parcel sorting and in deliveries themselves. A globally connected economy is rarely as visible as it is here in the Rhine-Main region. To be able to reap long-term benefits from the opportunities this situation offers for our economic development, it is necessary to create new jobs and secure them for the future. Therefore, we are very pleased that Deutsche Post DHL Group chose Obertshausen as the location for its prestigious property – said Volker Bouffier, Minister-President of the state of Hesse.
Deutsche Post DHL Group also placed emphasis on controlling energy consumption during the construction of the new facility, contributing to lower emission levels within its own group network. A state-of-the-art gas-fired heating system was installed in Obertshausen, which simultaneously heats the hall and generates electricity. A photovoltaic system with an output of 650 kWp (peak power) was installed on the roof surface. The majority of the electricity generated in this way is used by the sorting center itself. By combining solar energy from the summer months with electricity generated by the heating system in the colder months, the facility is able to produce a significant portion of its electricity throughout the year in an efficient and resource-saving manner.
More information at http://www.dpdhl.com/de/presse/specials/paketzentrum_obertshausen.html