Contract logistics solutions provider, DHL Supply Chain, has opened new sites in New Zealand to bolster supply chain resilience.
The new facilities in Auckland and Christchurch offer a combined floor space of 12,500 square metres and will serve the consumer (electronics and retail goods) and healthcare sectors (pharmaceuticals and medical devices) respectively.
The investment in these new facilities adds to DHL’s existing New Zealand footprint of 120,000 square metres and will help DHL Supply Chain service the evolving needs of existing customers, while supporting the logistics leader’s ambitious growth plans for the New Zealand market.
“Over the past 12 months we have seen heightened pressures on global supply chains and an increased appetite for more robust local distribution capabilities.” said DHL Supply Chain New Zealand Managing Director, Matt Casbolt.
“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 Auckland facility extends DHL Supply Chain’s market-leading capacity for consumer products, servicing the Retail, Consumer Electronics and Consumer Personal Care sectors. This additional capacity will enable customers to adapt inventory planning strategies as market conditions shift, hold more safety stock, and reduce the impact on their supply chains caused by supply and port disruptions. The facility is certified to store both food and pharmaceutical products and holds the latest licences for ISOs 9001:2015, 14001:2015, 45001:2018.
The Christchurch facility creates capacity for the distribution of critically important healthcare products to the South Island. DHL’s industry leading cold-chain operations will ensure pharmaceutical products can be stored at their ideal temperature range of between 2.0 and 8.0 degrees Celsius, while specialised freezers 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.
“Healthcare is one of the most important industries, so ensuring we have the right infrastructure and capability on-shore was a priority,” said 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.”