DHL opens a new state-of-the-art terminal in St. Petersburg

Driven by the rapidly growing volumes of its customers in the North West region of Russia, DHL has opened a new terminal in Russia.

The terminal, which will allow DHL to maintain its commitment to the highest possible service levels, is located near Pulkovo (St. Petersburg) and will serve as a central sorting, processing and transit facility for international and domestic shipments for St.Petersburg and the North-West region.

Pulkovo was chosen as the site for the terminal primarily because of its location: 5 minutes from St. Petersburg's Pulkovo airport, on the main thoroughfare into the city and 3 minutes from the Moscow - St. Petersburg highway.

The North-West region is DHL's second biggest market in the CIS

With excellent road and airport links, the location gives DHL Express the ability to enhance its service offering not only to St. Petersburg but to a number of destinations within the North-West region of Russia, DHL Express's second biggest market in the CIS and a key priority for our development in this country', said Country Manager DHL Express Russia Adrian Marley at the terminal opening ceremony on the 7th of May.

The terminal occupies 13,000 sq. meters, of which 9,500 sq. meters are dedicated for operations and 3,500 sq. meters - for office facilities. The terminal is one of the most advanced facilities that DHL operates in Russia. It is aimed at handling and sorting goods for DHL customers not only in St. Petersburg, but also in other important cities such as Murmansk, Arkhangelsk, Syktyvkar and Velikiy Novgorod.

The entire facility is capable of handling 500 tonnes of material in its normal daily operating window, and is equipped with its own emergency power supply to ensure continuous service in the event of a power failure. Besides the terminal there are 80 parking spaces for DHL trucks and vans. In addition to the terminal and the office facilities DHL is opening a new Service Point in Pulkovo, to add to its existing network .

The new terminal is a prime example of a purpose built terminal

'The new terminal in St.-Petersburg is a prime example of a purpose built terminal, with our customers' current and future needs in mind. It reflects DHL Express's passion for quality and service excellence', noted Daniel Kearvell, Area Manager DHL West Russia. 'The addition of another Service Point also enhances our service to our customers, who have the convenient choice of dropping off their shipments at a DHL facility or requesting a courier pick-up with a quick phone call to our offices.'

The opening ceremony of the terminal in St.-Petersburg took place on the 7th of May 2008. A regional senior management delegation led by David Wilson, Regional Sales Director DHL Express Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa; Garry Kemp, Regional Director DHL CIS and South-East Europe; Adrian Marley, Country Manager DHL Express Russia; and Daniel Kearvell, Area Manager DHL West Russia, took part in the opening ceremony.