DHL MAN

DHL has closed one of its DCs in the North-West after one of the site’s major customers reviewed its entire transport operations.

The firm plans to move operations which are part of its Supply Chain division at its Widnes, Cheshire site to its existing Avonmouth, Somerset, and Radlett, Herts, sites, following the relocation of a contract with kitchen maker Howdens Joinery from Merseyside to Howden, East Yorkshire.

Subject to consultation, DHL also plans to establish a new hub in Howden to service the North when the Widnes site closes today.

A DHL Supply Chain spokeswoman said: "As a matter of course, Howdens Joinery has conducted a review of its UK transport operations. As a result, it has identified a need to reconfigure its transport network to better reflect the spread of trading across the UK and to achieve greater operational efficiencies."

Last month 64 DHL workers at the Widnes site, including 53 drivers, were informed of the plans. The spokeswoman said DHL will be discussing options with staff which include relocating to Avonmouth or Radlett, where additional work will be created, or moving to other DHL sites.

Unite regional officer Neil Clarke said: "The Widnes transport operation is the most heavily used in Howdens’ entire network but the company has failed to give the union any meaningful reason for the proposed shift."

Topics