With the project now completed, DHL estimates it will enjoy a 13% increase in network shipment capacity in addition to improved operational efficiencies. Beside more efficient letter and package processing capabilities, the upgraded system offers customers greater track and trace visibility of shipments. At Allentown, alone, DHL expects a 67% boost in handling of letters and an increase of 85% in package throughput.
The Allentown improvements include shoe-sort and tilt-tray systems, loaders, unloaders, singulators, dimensional and image scanners, scan tunnels and video coding. The hub's base is 290,000 square feet with an additional 200,000 square feet of work area on its mezzanine and 12,000 square feet of office space.
The Allentown hub serves 54 pick up and delivery depots in the region as well as connecting to 18 other sort locations. Its customers include shippers in Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Washington, D,C., eastern Pennsylvania and eastern New York.
Automation work at DHL's principal air and ground hub in Wilmington was completed in January of this year. West Coast's Riverside facility automation work finished in March. “Our customers are benefiting from the addition of the most technologically advanced software and sortation equipment in the industry,” says John Cameron, DHL's executive vice president of operations. “In addition, these new automation systems in Allentown add to the flexibility and reliability of DHL's entire network.”
