DHL Express UK and Ireland chief executive Phil Couchman has said its logistics contract with Team GB for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi is a “team effort” between a number of DHL’s subsidiaries.
Speaking to The Hub, Couchman said it is housing the athletes' equipment at the Adidas warehouse in Stockport, operated by DHL Supply Chain. Volunteers and DHL Express staff are picking and packing equipment at the warehouse before delivering it to Sochi via air. DHL Global Forwarding is also shipping some bulkier items by sea.
“It’s a great opportunity to showcase what DHL can really do,” Couchman said. “And, of course, we want to support Team GB.”
The operation began in November and DHL will move two containers and 14 pallets for the competition. Over 20,000 sportswear items are to be delivered to 188 individuals, with female packages alone consisting of 111 different items, including sports kit, toiletries and accessories.
A number of bigger items, including the bobsleighs which Couchman said were too bulky to be moved as airfreight, are still to be delivered.
DHL has had a lot of practice when it comes to delivering for sporting events. Among Express’s sponsorship portfolio are Manchester United and South African rugby team Western Province, while Global Forwarding is the official logistics sponsor for Formula 1 and the Volvo Ocean Race.
Couchman also said Express is also experienced in transporting valuable and fragile items for events. It has flown all instruments for US college bands to the London New Year’s Day Parade in recent years, and also currently sponsors the Germany-based Leipzig symphony orchestra.
More sponsorship opportunities are also on the horizon for DHL, with the next biggest sporting event after the Winter Olympics being the Rugby World Cup in 2015.
“We take our community responsibility very seriously,” Couchman said.