Danzas opens doors to its largest logistics facility in Middle East

The AED 185 million plus development offers world class solutions and a strategic gateway for global business

Danzas AEI Emirates, part of DHL, today officially opened a new AED 185 million plus multi-purpose logistics facility, in Dubai's Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), further consolidating the operation's Middle Eastern strategic footprint.

The 80,000 square metre facility, at the equivalent of 11 football pitches, the largest of its kind in the Middle East, offers the perfect platform for companies to profitably leverage their supply chains using the new hub as a global gateway.

"An increasing number of companies from diverse industries including Lifescience, Automotive and Technology have chosen Dubai as an attractive production and logistics location.

As the market leading global logistics Group we have anticipated our customers' wishes and have made continuous investments into one of the most dynamic regions in the world. We remain committed to giving our customers in the expanding Middle East, the best possible service to help support their growth aspirations. This is what drives our commitment to invest in new infrastructure," commented Hermann Ude, CEO DHL Global Forwarding, Freight.

"The Gulf is ideally positioned, with access not just to Europe, Africa and Asia, but also to the fast developing Indian subcontinent and its huge manufacturing output. Our global experience of aligning logistics services with trade lanes will be further enhanced by the integrated, innovative services provided at the new Jafza facility. This is combined with the future benefits of operating from the only free zone in the world to be located between an airport and a seaport," explained Ude.

The official opening was performed by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the President of the Department of Civil Aviation and CEO and Chairman of Emirates Group, H.E. Ahmed H Al Tayer, Chairman of Danzas AEI Emirates LLC, Hermann Ude, CEO DHL Global Forwarding, Freight and Enver Moretti, CEO and President, EMA Region, DHL Global Forwarding.

The event was attended by Jamal Majid Bin Thaniah, Executive Vice Chairman, DP World and Group CEO, Port & Free Zone World, Salma Hareb, CEO of Economic Zones World, parent organization of Jafza, business leaders, together with distinguished customers from the world of transport and logistics - Danzas AEI Emirates LLC is a joint venture between Al Tayer Group LCC and DHL Management Ltd, a subsidiary of Deutsche Post World Net.

State-of-the-art infrastructure

The Chairman of Danzas, H.E. Ahmed H Al Tayer, said that the investment in the new high tech facility demonstrated an ongoing belief in the significance of Dubai as a global business hub. "Dubai's visionary development and first class infrastructure offers the business world an opportunity to access the enormous potential of the Middle East and beyond. We will continue to pursue an ambitious plan to facilitate increased trade and market development, both regionally and globally," said Mr. Al Tayer.

With the global freight market set to reach $1.4 trillion by 2020, and the Gulf imports and exports reaching $ 320 billion at the end of 2007, the new facility is an essential addition to the Danzas service portfolio, according to Enver Moretti, CEO and President, EMA Region, DHL Global Forwarding.

"There is increasing need for innovative logistics solutions that add real value, offer flexibility and maximise margins. Our new facility offers a "cold-chain" logistics operation dedicated to serving the unique supply chain needs of the pharmaceutical industry; providing additional services, such as Good Manufacturing Practice labelling and kitting, to better serve the growing healthcare market," explained Moretti.

"I see a definite trend for the larger multi-nationals to both outsource and expect the same standards, processes, behaviours and performance throughout their global networks. For us this is more and more about bringing excellence to the market, acting as a change agent and demonstrating what really can be achieved when 'best-in-class' capability is deployed.

"Regardless of our customers' industry - be it in the healthcare, technology/aerospace, automotive/industrial or retail/consumer/fashion sectors, Danzas AEI continues to adapt its business model to maintain consistent expertise in handling all complex, global logistics requirements," concluded Moretti.

The facility, with a built up area of 54,000 square metres, is fully air-conditioned and includes 6,700 square metres of office space and an 8,000 square metre temperature controlled, life sciences distribution centre. The building was constructed using 3,000 metric tonnes of steel and 12,050 cubic metres of concrete and is equipped with world-class security infrastructure that will be certified under the Technology Asset Protection Association (TAPA) guidelines.

Utilising advanced, scalable technology platforms and strategic warehouse management solutions, combined with an environmentally friendly green data centre, ensures customers accuracy, flexibility and a speed of goods movement that will support significant cost efficiencies.

Danzas AEI is one of four businesses operating in the Middle East under Deutsche Post World Net (DPWN). As part of DHL, Danzas is able to create new dimensions in logistics and harness the largest supply chain and logistics network in the Middle East and the world. Danzas AEI can provide an integrated solution to unique sets of service challenges by utilising the expertise of DPWN group of companies comprised of DHL Exel Supply Chain, DHL Global Forwarding, and DHL Express.