State-of-the-art gateway to increase processing capacity, boost service standards and accommodate further growth
DHL, the world‘s leading logistics provider, broke ground on Monday on its 15,000sqm custom-built Tokyo Gateway[1] at Shin-kiba, Tokyo. Slated for completion in the first quarter of 2016, the EUR67 million DHL Express Tokyo Gateway will increase processing capacity and boost service standards amid growing demands. The new facility will be DHL Express’ fourth gateway facility in Tokyo.
Located at the same strategic area where the DHL Tokyo Distribution Centre (TDC) is currently situated (Shin-Kiba, Koto-ku), the new DHL Express Tokyo Gateway is easily accessible from the Narita International Airport and Haneda Airport as well as Tokyo’s business districts. Designed to succeed and extend TDC’s operations, the new facility will boast a 20,000sqm floor area, of which the gateway operations area of 15,000sqm will be double that of TDC’s, and will offer customs clearance and bonded warehousing services. In addition, the gateway will also house a service centre that provides pick-up and delivery services for customers.
Fitted with a fully-automated materials handling system that is set to reduce processing time and provide greater efficiency, the DHL Express Tokyo Gateway will have the capacity to sort conveyable shipments up to 12,000 pieces per hour.
Jerry Hsu, Chief Executive Officer of DHL Express Asia Pacific, said: “Japan is on the cusp of an economic revival, with slow but evident growth and imports reaching an all-time high of US$800bn last year[2]. In tandem with the country’s remarkable economic recovery, this investment will provide DHL sufficient capacity to accommodate current and future growth. DHL is well-positioned to continue helping customers capitalize on industry expansion, as well as to facilitate Japan’s position as a global economic powerhouse and integral trading partner to the rest of the world.”
Despite the volatility in the Japanese air freight market which has been impacted by the overall economic conditional changes, DHL has seen sustainable and steady growth in the international express segment. With the current processing capacity at TDC predicted to reach its limit in the coming years, DHL’s introduction of the new gateway facility is a timely and strategic investment.
DHL Japan’s Representative Director and President, Taketo Yamakawa, said: “The opening of the Tokyo Gateway is a strategic part of DHL’s investment strategy in Asia Pacific, as we continue to bolster our infrastructure and upgrade capabilities in key markets. This groundbreaking marks a cornerstone in DHL’s strategy to cement our leadership and reinforces our commitment in Japan. Investing in automation technologies for the new facility is but one step in our on-going journey to provide even greater speed and reliability for new and existing customers.”