DHL Supply Chain is investing £550 million (€637 million) to expand its infrastructure and accelerate the rollout of automation and robotics across its customer operations in the UK and Ireland. The significant investment is aimed at supporting soaring demand in the e-commerce and life sciences/healthcare sectors.
This new commitment builds on the €1 billion DHL Supply Chain has already spent on automation globally over the last three years, with the goal of dramatically increasing its scale in the region by 2030 through digitization.
Accelerating Robot Deployment and Innovation
The investment will see DHL deploy over 1,000 additional robots across its UK operations, adding to the more than 2,000 robots already working alongside employees in the UK, Ireland, and EMEA.
DHL is prioritizing strategic partnerships to co-develop and scale robotics solutions. A notable example is the recent UK deployment of the Boston Dynamics Stretch Robot for container unloading—a first for the UK. The Stretch robots can unload up to 700 boxes per hour, reducing physical strain on staff and boosting productivity in high-volume environments like e-commerce.
Saul Resnick, CEO of DHL Supply Chain UK & Ireland, noted that customers are increasingly recognizing the benefits of digitization, seeing “greater benefits and faster ROI.” He added that this investment is focused on long-term impact to ensure DHL remains the top supply chain provider for high-growth industries.
Bolstering Healthcare Logistics
A major part of the investment includes the opening of a new DHL Health Logistics facility in Derby. This facility is designed to support the life sciences and healthcare sector, which is projected to see double-digit growth in the UK over the next five years.
The new site will feature specialist capabilities, including cold chain and cleanroom facilities, making it a pivotal asset in DHL’s global Health Logistics network. As Tim Tetzlaff, Global Head of Digital Transformation, explained, DHL is leveraging automation in the life sciences sector to respond faster to demand and manage complexity at scale, supporting a larger focus on patient-centric approaches.
Alignment with UK Trade Strategy
The announcement reinforces the UK’s strategic significance within DHL Supply Chain’s global structure. The investment is timely, aligning closely with the UK Government’s new Trade Strategy, which emphasizes strengthening global trade networks and supporting high-growth sectors.
As the UK seeks to enhance its position as a global trade leader, DHL’s commitment to automation and resilient, future-ready supply chains directly supports the strategy’s focus on unlocking new opportunities for British businesses.
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