21-03-2018
Today, DHL Supply Chain broke ground for the construction of a new distribution center for its customer Eaton, the global specialist in power management. With the new building project in Rheinbach near Bonn, DHL Supply Chain is creating a 35,000 square meter highly automated storage facility. The site will be in operation from beginning of 2019. The official groundbreaking ceremony took place in the presence of Stefan Raetz, Mayor of Rheinbach, Oscar de Bok, CEO MLEMEA DHL Supply Chain, and Karsten Schwarz, CEO Germany & Alps DHL Supply Chain, as well as Frank Campbell, President Corporate and Electrical, Eaton EMEA and Klaus Gäb, Vice President Supply Chain, Eaton EMEA.
"The construction start for the new warehouse in Rheinbach is another important step in our strategic partnership, in which DHL is building and managing three integrated, high-performance distribution centers for Eaton in Europe," explains Karsten Schwarz. "This investment reflects the trust and strategic partnership we have with Eaton, who have leveraged our logistics expertise for the past decade."
Over the next few years, DHL will support Eaton's European electrical business from three distribution centers in Germany, the United Kingdom and the Czech Republic. The new site in the UK began operating for Eaton at the beginning of 2018 and a modernization and expansion of the Czech site is currently in progress. The new plant in Rheinbach is designed to benefit the company's Western European customers in particular and provide them with the best possible service.
The strategically-located site offers connections to all modes of transport and guarantees efficient supply internationally due to its geographical proximity to the Duisburg/Venlo port of entry. Additionally, the plant in Rheinbach allows fast turnaround times to European core markets with its connection to nearby DHL Freight and DHL Parcel Hubs and is geared to the needs of many industries.
Together with Eaton, DHL Supply Chain has developed a concept for the new site that includes complete warehouse consolidation from planning, design and equipment to commissioning and regular operation. The plant is equipped with cutting-edge technology giving a high level of automation. It therefore provides Eaton with maximum flexibility and a tailor-made logistics solution. The location also improves the total lead time of the stored products and adds significant value for the customer through an optimal and simplified logistics structure.
The property will be built to meet the Gold Standard 2015 of the German Council for Sustainable Building. In order to achieve this standard, Eaton's power management technologies will be deployed across the site and buildings, including main LED and emergency lighting, energy storage systems, low and medium voltage distribution. This approach will ensure the safe, reliable and efficient operation of the facility and reflects the sustainability aims of both companies by minimizing the building's energy and environmental footprint.
"With DHL, we have found our perfect 'green-minded' match: Just like Eaton, DHL is aiming to improve peoples' lives and the environment through its innovations, services, technology and expertise. This new building is a clear demonstration of our joint approach and supports both companies in achieving our growth and sustainability goals," says Klaus Gäb. "With this highly automated and modern plant, we will be looking to increase our customer service and satisfaction even further across Western Europe."
The new facility also emphasizes DHL and Eaton's commitment to the wider Bonn region. Not only will the majority of Eaton employees from their Meckenheim distribution center move to the new facility once it has been completed, but this investment will continue to create jobs in the future.
Source: Deutsche Post DHL