DHL strengthens operations in the United Kingdom with more than 1,000 robots to boost e-commerce

 

DHL's investment adds to the billion euros that the company has allocated to automation in the last three years, which has allowed the implementation of more than 3.200 digitization projects at the United Kingdom, Ireland and the EMEA regionDHL's contract logistics division aims to significantly increase its scale by 2030, both in the UK and Ireland and globally, with automation, robotics, and digitalization as key pillars of this growth.

 

Saul ResnickThe CEO of DHL Supply Chain in the UK and Ireland highlighted the importance of this investment: “Our investment reflects the growing opportunities in the UK marketCustomers are increasingly recognizing the benefits of digitalization, and we have already surpassed last year's deployment numbers. Furthermore, the integration of robotics and automation into customer operations is becoming increasingly sophisticated, resulting in greater benefits and a faster return on investment. Resnick added that this momentum is made possible by a suitable infrastructure and expertise, tailored for high-growth industries such as e-commerce and healthcare“That’s why we invest with a long-term impact in mind, ensuring we are the supplier of choice in the supply chain. The new UK Trade Strategy reinforces this direction by supporting fast-growing sectors and improving access to markets.” global markets"Priorities that align closely with our investment approach and the needs of our clients," he said.

 

 

The announcement coincides with the launch of the Kingdom's new Trade Strategy
United to boost competitiveness and global market access for companies
British.

 

 

DHL is forging strategic partnerships with technology companies to jointly develop and scale robotic solutions. This collaboration has already resulted in the operation of more than 2.000 robots alongside employees in the UK, Ireland and EMEA. These include more than 750 assisted picking robots from partners such as Locus Robotics and 6 River Systems, which operate across 18 facilities. DHL has also been a pioneer in the UK by deploying the Boston Dynamics' first Stretch robot for unloading containers, a technology capable of unloading up to 700 boxes per hour, optimizing productivity and reducing the physical effort of personnel.

 

As part of its 2030 Strategy, DHL will open a New healthcare logistics facility in DerbyThis facility has been designed to support the growth of the life sciences and healthcare sector, an area projected to experience double-digit growth in the UK over the next five years, generating increased demand for specialized logistics capabilities. Each facility will feature cold chain and cleanroom services, consolidating its role in the DHL Health Logistics global network.

 

This investment underscores the importance of the UK as one of the most strategically significant regions for DHL Supply Chain, highlighting its trade and supply chain expertise as a resilient and adaptable logistics hub for global trade. The announcement coincides with the unveiling of the first UK Government Trade Strategy since its exit from the EU, reflecting a shared priority to strengthen global trade networks and support high-growth sectors, with the aim of unlocking £ 5.000 million into new opportunities for British businesses.

 

Tim Tetzlaff, Global Head of Digital Transformation at DHL Supply Chain, commented: “At DHL, we are driving the next wave of automation, not as a one-size-fits-all solution, but as a suite of intelligent and adaptive technologies specifically designed for the needs of each sector.” Tetzlaff added: “In e-commerce, for example, where the market is evolving and demand is growing, we are expanding our fulfillment capabilities to support that transformation with automated solutions that significantly simplify high-volume operations. Meanwhile, in the growing life sciences sector, we are leveraging automation to respond faster to demand and manage complexity at scale with end-to-end visibility, in a context of greater focus on patient-centric approaches and differentiated paths to market.”