Zarah ChoudharyLogistics giant DHL has invested £230m in an e-commerce hub in Coventry, which it said will create up to 600 local jobs.
On 27th February, Business Minister Justin Madders formally opened the new hub, which covers 25,000 square metres of space and can handle up to a million parcels a day.
During his visit, the Minister met with DHL Group’s senior leadership, including CEO of DHL eCommerce Pablo Ciano, to tour the new site and learn how it will benefit Coventry and the wider West Midlands.
This announcement came as the latest research shows the UK is expected to reach a turnover in e-commerce of £176bn by 2029, leading all European economies.
The latest figures from the Department for Business & Trade also showed the West Midlands region landed 133 foreign direct investments in 2023/24, generating 7,581 new jobs.
Business Minister Justin Madders said: “The West Midlands is a powerhouse for investment, and this state-of-the-art hub in Coventry will not only create hundreds of local jobs but give a major boost to our logistics sector and speed up delivery times for consumers.
“The UK is open for business, and DHL’s investment is the latest vote of confidence in the country which will deliver economic growth and raise living standards, showing our Plan for Change is working.”
Stuart Hill, CEO of DHL eCommerce UK said: “As e-commerce continues to shape the way we live and work, this expansion will enable us to meet growing demand.
“The investment reflects our confidence in British business and our dedication to helping our customers thrive in the digital marketplace through innovation and best-in-class service delivery.
“By increasing our capacity with a state-of-the-art operation, we’re creating long-term jobs, growth opportunities for our customers and a blueprint for more sustainable logistics.”
Following the International Investment Summit last October, nearly 38,000 jobs have been created across the UK, with £63bn worth of investment secured from major companies such as Amazon Web Services, Iberdrola, and Octopus Energy.
Among the investments, car manufacturer Nissan and the Japan Automatic Transmission Company (JATCO) have secured a £50m investment deal in partnership with the government to establish a new manufacturing plant in Sunderland.
Additionally, US company Knighthead is leading a £3bn regeneration project in East Birmingham, which is expected to generate 8,400 new jobs annually.
This project includes the development of a 60,000-seater stadium, a sports campus with training facilities, a new academy, and community pitches.
Rolls-Royce is investing £300m to expand its Goodwood facility, responding to the growing demand for bespoke upgrades.
Meanwhile, JLR is investing £500m in its Halewood facility to support the production of electric vehicles alongside existing combustion and hybrid models.
In the technology sector, Blackstone has committed £10bn to build Europe’s largest AI data centre, creating 4,000 jobs.
Similarly, Eren Holding is investing £1bn to redevelop Shotton Mill in North Wales, safeguarding 147 existing jobs while creating an additional 220 employment opportunities.
Further enhancing the UK’s infrastructure, Heathrow Airport has announced a multibillion-pound investment programme aimed at expanding the airport.
This includes the development of new terminal buildings, aircraft stands, passenger infrastructure, and progress towards the long-anticipated third runway.
