The integrator has unveiled plans for a large logistics center at Helsinki Vantaa Airport. The complex will be erected in the Aviapolis area and comprise of 16,000 gross square meters, more than doubling the size of the integrator’s current Helsinki hub. Constructors of the facility are local Finnish firms AVIA Real Estate Oy and Meijou Oy. DHL Express will lease the distribution and sorting center exclusively for 15 years. Total investment in new premises and technology in the Aviapolis area is around €100 million.
In terms of e-commerce development, Finland is no exception compared to many other countries.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the segment grew by around 50%, explains Oktay Nuri, MD DHL Express, Finland. And the trend towards online retailing continues unabatedly. In principle, even before
2019, there was a steady upswing with annual growth rates of around 25%.
New consumer habit benefits e-commerce
Against this economic backdrop, the expansion of business activities that has now been decided by setting up a logistics center, is a consequence of general market developments and a cultural
change favoring convenient online shopping to the detriment of the traditional brick and mortar business, observes Manager Nuri. A trend that was reinforced by the numerous lockdowns during the
pandemic.
The commissioning of the new facility is scheduled for the end of 2025. Once accomplished, the throughput capacity per hour will be more than tripled compared to today’s abilities, announces
Oktay Nuri.
“Its automated sorting system can handle approximately 6,500 items per hour. 90 direct loading bays enable efficient sorting of shipments directly from the conveyor to the delivery vans. All
bays will be equipped with charging stations for e-vehicles, supporting our goal to electrify our entire pick-up and delivery fleet within a few years,” explains Janne Appel, Operations
Director DHL Express Finland.
High rate of same day delivery
According to Manager Nuri, DHL Express is market leader in the Nordic country in the express services segment. Its Helsinki hub is connected to Leipzig-Halle and Copenhagen; each route served
from Monday to Friday by air. An A300-600 freighter is deployed on the HEL-LEJ sector, capable of uplifting 46 tons, and a B737-400 freighter (17 tons) links Helsinki with Copenhagen each
weekday. Following the offloading of goods at HEL, the shipments continue their journeys all over Finland. DHL Express also has terminals in Tampere and Turku. In the evening, the planes fly back
to Leipzig and Copenhagen with export shipments from Finland.
Data shows that 80% of the imports are delivered to consignees on the day of their arrival in Finland. The export / import ratio of e-commerce products to and from the Nordic country is balanced
and equates 50/50%, says Oktay Nuri.
DHL Express Finland employs some 400 people at its stations in Helsinki-Vantaa, Tampere, and Turku. The company is Great Place to WorkTM certified.
Carbon neutral facility
In line with the sustainability goals of DHL and its parent, Deutsche Post DHL Group, the Finnish representation is also driving decarbonization forward as quickly as possible. Reducing the
carbon footprint of transportation and designing all new buildings carbon neutral are important steps in the sustainability roadmap, reads a release. Accordingly, the new Helsinki Express gateway
will be carbon neutral. DHL points out that geothermal heat is used as the main heating solution and electricity is produced with photovoltaic systems. An advanced building management system,
energy-efficient building materials and processing equipment, and LED lighting are among the environmentally friendly features. The employees will get a spacious and functional working
environment, in which safety and environmental aspects have been taken into account.
Heiner Siegmund
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