DHL Global Forward – Customer Success
Customer: DHL Global Forwarding
Region: DCT Eastern Region, Miami
Type: Facility Redevelopment Gold LEED Certification
The Situation
DHL Global Forwarding America is a global leader in the air and ocean freight markets as well as one of the largest freight forwarders in the European overland transportation business. The company wanted to relocate all of its employees to a single location in order to increase operational efficiency and to better serve its customers. DHL also required that the property meet their requirements for new green building initiatives.
DCT Delivered:
DCT Industrial had an existing relationship with DHL from a previous deal completed in 2006 in Atlanta. DCT quickly identified a green-oriented facility for DHL, a 201,000-square-foot complex at the Miami International Commerce Center—which was just minutes from the Miami International Airport cargo hubs. Located at 1801 NW 82nd Avenue, the building featured a unique layout that provided the cross dock configuration, office square footage, and the trailer storage necessary to operate efficiently and effectively.
DCT faced a very difficult permitting environment with Miami Dade County, but solid management and strong industry relationships helped DCT meet all the timelines and the building was delivered on schedule.
Through the improvements and value-add efforts, DCT obtained LEED certification for the property, critical for DHL and its clients. The interior is LEED Commercial Interiors Gold certified for its design, construction, and operation, and is consistent with DHL’s “GoGreen” program to reduce carbon emissions. DCT implemented several sustainable features on the outside of the facility as well, including landscaping with native drought-tolerant plants, bicycle storage, and a changing room facility for employees using alternative means of transportation.
The Results
DHL successfully relocated both their corporate/executive offices and their global freight operations into the building. The building now serves as corporate headquarters and houses over 200 employees. It is also the first DHL commercial LEED Gold certified building in the United States.
“As a Company, we pride ourselves in maintaining excellent customer relationships, and this initiative is a testament to how we can partner with our customers, like DHL, to ensure we meet their needs,” said Todd Watson, vice president and Regional Market Representative, DCT Industrial. “Our redevelopment of this building to Gold LEED Certified is an example of our engineering and construction expertise as well as our desire to support green initiatives within our national property portfolio.”
Regarding their DCT Industrial facility, Ronald Silbermann, head of Americas Gateway Miami, stated, “We are extremely proud to be the first DHL LEED Gold certified building in the U.S. Through our green materials and technology in the interior and landscaping on the exterior we are on the forefront of the green construction industry movement. Our savings, as well as our ability to protect one of our most valued assets, our employees, proves our green investment has paid off.”
Quote:
“This move will be extremely beneficial for our operations because all employees will be located in the same facility. It will allow for greater knowledge sharing and collaboration among our employees, and create an environment with increased operations efficiency that will enable us to better serve our customers.”
-Hans Toggweiler, CEO DHL Global Forwarding Americas
“DCT was able to hear our needs and deliver green materials and technology in the interior and landscaping on the exterior. They are on the forefront of the green construction industry movement.”
- Ronald Silbermann, head of Americas Gateway Miami