July 2nd, 2007: DHL, the worlds leading global express delivery and logistics company, announced the opening of a new service center facility to meet the growing needs of customers in Columbus, Ohio and surrounding communities. DHL has invested $2.1 million in the state-of-the-art service center facility which serves local package pickup and delivery operations in the area.

The new, 54,000-sq.-ft. service center combines a 5,500-sq-ft facility 45 miles east of Columbus and a 20,000-sq.-ft facility near Port Columbus International Airport into one larger operation.  Shipments that flow in and out of the new service center are routed directly through DHLs principal air and ground hub in Wilmington, Ohio one hour by road from Columbus.

The new facility was built to allow individual letters and packages to flow directly onto and off of vehicles from a conveyor belt system. This new loose-load  operation will enable greater operational efficiencies, leading to quicker loading and unloading of freight, increased capacity on line-haul vehicles, earlier deliveries and expanded pickup cutoff times for customers in the area.

Columbus is a home base to some of the worlds largest and most successful companies in nearly every industry, and DHL is prepared to meet the increasing need for express delivery services for all customers shipping to and from the region, said John Cameron, executive vice president of operations, for DHL.

The new service center will serve package pickup and delivery operations for Columbus, Ohio and surrounding towns, including Mt. Vernon (North), Piketon (South), and Bethesda (East). The facility will handle a wide variety of shipments including domestic and international parcels as well as palletized, loose-load and container freight. 

Additional key facts about the new facility include:

• It is located at  7001 Americana Parkway Drive, Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
• The facility employs approximately 100, including couriers, administrative staff, managers, sales and security personnel.
• The facility will have a new, state-of-the-art conveyor system for quicker handling of letters and parcels/
• The new service center has 64 load positions to accommodate more vehicles and volumes of freight.
• Customers can drop off packages at the new facility between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Saturday. The counter will be staffed to help customers prepare shipments onsite.

DHL will continue to maintain its 50,000-sq.-ft service center facility located in the western part of Columbus at 2250 International Street.

The new Columbus, Ohio service center investment is one of many initiatives that DHL has undertaken to improve U.S. network efficiencies and connectivity system-wide.  DHL has recently enhanced its presence in cities across the country through new facilities in New York City, Chicago, Ill.; Charlotte, N.C.; Salt Lake City, Utah; Charleston, S.C.; White River Junction, Vt.; and Atlanta, Ga.  DHL also recently completed a $1.2 billion build out of its U.S. domestic network and infrastructure, including an expanded primary air and ground hub in Wilmington, Ohio, seven new Regional Sort Centers located throughout the country, and the development of new, state-of-the-art distribution facilities for the east and west coasts in Allentown, Pa., and Riverside, Calif. 

About DHL

DHL's mission is to provide the most flexible, personable and enjoyable experience in the shipping industry for our customers. DHL is the global market leader of the international express and logistics industry, specializing in providing innovative and customized solutions from a single source. DHL offers expertise in express, air and ocean freight, overland transport, and contract logistic solutions as well as international mail services, combined with worldwide coverage and an in-depth understanding of local markets. DHL's international network links more than 225 countries and territories worldwide with over 300,000 employees dedicated to providing fast and reliable services that exceed customers' expectations. Founded in San Francisco in 1969, DHL is a Deutsche Post World Net brand. For more information on DHL, please visit www.dhl.com.