DHL expands cargo facility in Japan

DHL has inaugurated its US$41 million expanded facility at Kansai International Airport in Japan.

The TAPA-certified airfreight centre, which measures approximately 10,000m2, is part of DHL's commitment to invest almost $90 million in Japan over the next few years.

"The expansion of the DHL Kansai International Airport Gateway underlines the strong growth that DHL is experiencing in Japan and Asia Pacific. The expanded facility complements our other Japan gateways in Chubu and Narita," said Scott Price, CEO of DHL Express in Asia Pacific.

"Together, the three gateways seamlessly connect our customers in Japan to DHL's extensive network in Asia Pacific and beyond, ensuring they continue to enjoy our best-in-class products and service offerings," he added.

The DHL Kansai International Airport Gateway started operations in July 2003, playing a critical role in serving customers throughout West Japan. Following this latest expansion, the facility is now five times bigger, allowing sufficient space to accommodate the increases in cargo volume and weight handled by DHL in Kansai, which is a major import centre for exports from China.

Equipped with state-of-the-art features, such as customs clearance and bonded warehouse facilities, the Kansai gateway has been relocated to the airport runway, in order to increase the speed of cargo processing and provide customers with better time-to-market capabilities. DHL has also implemented an automated sorting system at the facility, which is capable of handling approximately 7500 parcels and 2000 documents per hour.

"The Kansai region, Japan's second largest economic zone, is home to many local and international companies in the apparel, electronics and heavy machinery industries," said Guenter Zorn, DHL Japan's representative director.

"With the high level of demand for global express and logistics services among the various industries, the expanded gateway will enable DHL to provide even more flexible, speedy services to our customers," he added.

This expansion is the latest part of DHL's growth programme in the Japanese market. Besides the $90 million committed to Japan over the next few years, DHL previously invested $165 million to reinforce its growth and air networks between 1999 and 2006.

It currently operates 130 locations in Japan, including over 60 express and service centres.

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