DHL Supply Chain offers online shippers way to avoid Brexit border delays

DHL Supply Chain is offering online retailers access to its European and UK network of 30 DHL e-fulfillment centres to help them avoid Brexit red tape and meet growing online demand for next day delivery services.

The company said its 30 sites offer customers close proximity to the major urban centres and parcel hubs and specialization in processing, picking, packing and shipping online orders.

The move is in response to the difficulties online shippers are facing since the introduction of Brexit customs requirements. The new service is also targeting the growing demand created by online shopping and for next day services.

José Nava, chief executive of DHL Supply Chain UK & Ireland, said: “We understand the needs of our customers, and the demand of their end-consumers, and they require a seamless e-commerce fulfillment solution with or without Brexit and that is our aim.

“With the challenges of Brexit and the global impact of Covid-19, our customers are keen to make their supply chains more resilient, but at the same time more flexible and able to respond to volume fluctuations and potential barriers in global trade lanes.

“This also applies to businesses in the EU that want to serve their customers in the UK in the most efficient way. Reducing dependency on individual markets and geographies, and having multiple stock points in different countries has been accelerated by the pandemic, and that’s here to stay. Proximity to the market and having a scalable network solution will bring huge benefits,” he added.

Hendrik Venter, chief executive of DHL Supply Chain MLEMEA said the initiative will also help smaller retailers.

He said: “Typically, small and medium-sized shops lack the capacity to be present in each European country, which keeps them distanced from consumers and markets.

“Even larger retailers find maintaining that kind of presence is often financially heavy from a cash flow perspective or not cost-effective. In response, we are now offering vendors and online shops a multi-user network solution.

“This gives customers access to all of our established services in a way that is flexible and tailored to their needs. We can support customers across the entire supply chain – from inbound handling and storage, pick and pack, last-mile delivery as well as returns handling.

“Customers particularly appreciate how we can scale-up this flexibly according to actual order volumes, as well as nationally and internationally.”