DHL Express, the leader in international express transport, has invested 8 million euros in a new agency in Beaune (Côte-d’Or). This site, operational since July 8, replaces the one in Châtenoy-le-Royal (Saône-et-Loire) about thirty kilometers further south.
«We wanted to go back up to take advantage of the motorway access, along the A6 but also to better serve all the major activity zones, whether Dijon (Côte-d’Or), Chalon-sur-Saône and Le Creusot (Saône-et-Loire)“, explains Pascal Lamoureux, regional director for Rhône-Alpes-Auvergne, which includes Burgundy. The company wants to stay at a reasonable distance from Lyon Saint-Exupéry airport, from which its flights operate.
Betting on the internationalization of the region
DHL Express France (798 million euros in turnover in 2023 and 3,400 employees) wanted to build this new building to support the growth of activity in the region, which is reflected in a 30% increase in flows handled compared to 2019, the reference year before the health crisis.The industrial and commercial fabrics of Côte-d’Or and Saône-et-Loire are increasingly opening up internationally, particularly with SMEs that aim to export.“, specifies Pascal Lamoureux. With clients notably from the wine, textile and banking sectors.
The old Saône-et-Loire site handled 1,400 import parcels per day and the same number for exports. The new equipment has increased capacity, with an automated sorting machine capable of handling up to 3,000 parcels per hour.We have introduced modern technologies to improve ergonomics, increase processing speed and efficiency.“, emphasizes the manager. Between the time the package is deposited by an operator when it leaves the truck until it is picked up at the other end to join the vehicle that will take it to its destination, the package will not experience any human handling. “There are about 300 meters of conveyor belt. Once its barcode is detected, the package will be directed to the right delivery vehicle. The whole thing is very streamlined because our business is a race against time.” smiles Pascal Lamoureux.
With this new building, DHL Express is expanding from 700 to 2,000 square meters. The regional manager is hoping for a growth of at least 10% in flows. He plans to recruit two people before the end of the year to strengthen the team of 21 employees at the site.We will continue recruiting in the coming years“, he adds.
The new logistics agency, equipped with solar panels, will also help reduce the carbon footprint of the activity. DHL is also working on the electrification of its fleet.In spring 2025, we will receive around ten new electric vehicles with a range of 300 kilometers to replace thermal cars in the first and last kilometer segments.“, he explains, recalling that for the city center of Dijon, DHL Express uses a partner who makes deliveries by bicycle.
The international carrier is continuing its investments with a major project for its new platform on the Lyon Saint-Exupéry airport site, which will benefit from a budget of 121 million euros.
Source: www.usinenouvelle.com
