DHL Global Forwarding, the world’s largest provider of air, ocean, and road freight services, has inaugurated its new transshipment hub and headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa. The environmentally friendly, solar-powered complex opened to the public on Thursday, September 22, 2022. It is located in a convenient location near OR Tambo International Airport and is part of the Sky Park Industrial Estate. With its climate-controlled storage rooms and staff trained in Good Distribution Practices (GDP), the new hub is well-equipped to meet the specific demands of Africa’s burgeoning life sciences and healthcare (LSH) industries.
DHL Global Forwarding’s position on the African continent and in South Africa has been bolstered by the opening of this facility, and the company will be better able to meet the needs of its customers as a result.
The new 10,000-square-foot airport hub is prepared to provide secure, dependable, and efficient consolidation and transport solutions for Africa’s expanding life sciences and healthcare (LSH) industry. To the greatest extent possible, the energy needs of both the warehouse and the DHL corporate headquarters will be met by renewable sources like photovoltaic panels, making them environmentally friendly.
Amadou Diallo, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding Middle East & Africa, said: “We are proud that this new facility was built to the highest standards of sustainability and energy efficiency in line with DHL Global Forwarding’s goal of reaching net-zero logistics-related emissions by 2050. Already, our climate protection initiatives and CO2 emissions reduction programs have had a positive impact on logistics supply chains globally, and building sustainable infrastructure like this solar-powered facility takes us closer to our goal.”
DHL Global Forwarding CEO for South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa Clement Blanc said at the facility’s opening ceremony, “A new facility in Johannesburg is a natural next step in our efforts to support economic growth and accelerate the pace of supply chain transformation undergoing in South Africa.” This hub increases global connectivity to Africa, helping to foster growth in industries like LSH by providing easier access to a solid supply chain”
Blanc continued, “The strategically located new facility at OR Tambo will allow us to enhance our service offering to clients. We’re ecstatic to offer services like pharmaceutical and health product transportation, which are sensitive to time and temperature. I’m positive that we’ll be able to help our clients grow their businesses and contribute to South Africa’s and the region’s economic development and prosperity”
Skilled employment opportunities will also be made available in Johannesburg thanks to the new facility. Since 2021-22, DHL Global Forwarding’s total number of employees in South Africa has grown by 11%. Further, the firm is devoted to helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) join the economy and succeed by giving them a place in international supply chains.
