THE world’s leading international express service provider, DHL Express Malaysia has relocated its Prai branch service centre to a new and larger facility in the Batu Kawan Industrial Park (BKIP).
DHL Express Malaysia and Brunei managing director Julian Neo said the move is in response to the increased demand for international shipping by the northern region’s business community.
He said the RM13 million new facility is also five times the previous location’s size and improves shipment processing capacity by 170 percent.
“The new facility also includes 2,386sq m of warehousing and office space. On top of that, it has also a high-speed sorting system capable of handling up to 975 pieces per hour.
“This ultimately improves shipment processing capacity by 170 percent for more than 1,500 parcels and documents bound for and from the facility’s busiest air routes, namely the United States, Australia, United Kingdom, Singapore, and Germany.
“Thus, through this new facility, we can deliver faster transit times and better serve our customers in mainland Penang, Perlis, and Kedah,” Neo said in his speech during the launching ceremony of the new facility today.
According to Neo, the opening of the new facility today represents a major step in DHL Express Malaysia’s confidence and long-term ambitions for Penang.
“Penang has long been a strong point of focus for DHL Express. The new facility is also one of our three facilities in the state, with the other two on the island.
“Of course, we have also not overlooked our company’s commitment to achieving zero carbon emissions by 2050.
“This is proven with our new facility that is equipped with a state-of-the-art solar panel system and energy-efficient infrastructure that is expected to cut the release of greenhouse gases by 26.9 percent.
“The relocation to this new facility also expresses our drive to continue exceeding customer expectations and raise the bar for service excellence,” he said.
Neo added that with the bigger and better new facility in BKIP, the customers are better positioned to leverage the ongoing growth of business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who graced the ceremony, said the logistics industry is critical to the global supply chain and the economic growth of a country.
“As such, the Penang government wholeheartedly welcomes DHL Express’s initiative to expand its operations here.
“The decision demonstrates the confidence of multinational corporations in the state as a sustainable investment destination and is aligned with the 12th Malaysian Plan, which aims to make the country a transport and logistics hub in Southeast Asia by 2025.
“It is hoped that this new service centre will improve the efficiency and productivity of our national logistics capabilities,” he said.
Chow said the addition of DHL Express’s new facility in Batu Kawan also comes at an opportune time to capitalise on the thriving e-commerce industry, where businesses are increasingly participating in the online marketplace to ensure business continuity.
“I also would like to congratulate DHL Express on your new facility and we look forward to many more years of close partnership in supporting local businesses, creating job opportunities, and entrenching Penang as a world-class hub for trade and innovation,” added Chow.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad
Video by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis