Logistics provider DHL Supply Chain has opened a multi-user facility powered completely by renewable electricity.
With 900,000 square feet of operating space, the building marks DHL’s first operational carbon-neutral new-build site in the UK and has been certified as ‘Outstanding’ by Building Research Establishment (BRE), the sustainability–building certification scheme.
It features 3,000 solar panels and an air source heat pump which will provide all warehouse and office heating and cooling requirements and is expected to save approximately 135 tonnes of CO2 annually.
The facility, based in Coventry, is particularly impressive for its “eco credentials”, according to Andy Street, mayor of the West Midlands.
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The site load has been configured to use stored electricity via the battery storage solution and shift peak demand to off-peak.
The site also features 30 electric vehicle-charging spaces and uses all-electric material handling equipment as well as a brand new fully electric tug.
Automation features include autonomous cleaning robots, a mobile wrapping robot, and a dimension system to automatically measure the dimensions and volume of parcels and pallets for faster categorisation and sorting.
DHL Supply Chain managing director for ecommerce and retail Natalie Frow said: “We’ve created an operation that is not only highly efficient at meeting the demands of omni-channel brands, but it’s a positive space to be in.
Street added: “DHL Supply Chain’s new facility at Coventry Cross Point is certainly impressive, especially in terms of its eco credentials. That’s important because the private sector’s role will be mission critical in helping us achieve our ambitions to be a net zero region by 2041.”
DHL Supply Chain is part of the multinational package delivery and supply chain management group DHL Group.
The logistics group is keen to enhance its eco-standing, making pledges to become greener. Last month, Formula 1 and DHL extended their 20-year partnership to help reduce emissions.
in December last year, DHL Express invested £16 million in electric ground service vehicles and infrastructure at East Midlands Airport across three years as part of its wider sustainability commitments.
