DHL Supply Chain has unveiled a US$745 million investment to upgrade infrastructure and accelerate automation across its UK and Irish operations, answering surging demand in the e-commerce and life-sciences/healthcare sectors.
This latest outlay builds on the US$1.17 billion DHL has already spent on automation over the past three years, supporting more than 3,200 digitalisation projects across the region and EMEA.
By 2030, the company aims to scale its contract-logistics footprint further, with robotics and digital tools at the heart of that growth.
Saul Resnick, CEO DHL Supply Chain UK & Ireland noted they are investing for long-term impact and they remain the go-to supply-chain partner for high-growth industries.
This project will include 1,000+ additional robots that will join DHL’s fleet, which already tops 2,000 collaborative units in the UK, Ireland and EMEA. Also, more than 750 assisted-picking robots from partners Locus Robotics and 6 River Systems already operate across 18 regional sites.
Additionally, the first UK-based Boston Dynamics “Stretch” robot, capable of unloading up to 700 boxes per hour, is now live, easing manual strain and boosting throughput.
In the meantime, to reinforce its healthcare capabilities, DHL will open a new Health Logistics hub in Derby, complete with cold-chain and clean-room facilities, supporting an industry projected to grow at double-digit rates in the UK over the next five years.
The announcement coincides with the UK government’s first post-EU Trade Strategy, which champions high-growth sectors and resilient supply chains priorities mirrored in DHL’s investment.
