DHL spends $7.3M to expand Norfolk center

Global shipping company DHL invested $7.3 million to more than double the size of its DHL Express Norfolk operation as the business continues to serve more Hampton Roads customers.

The relocated shipping center near Norfolk International Airport includes several new customer features and two new service agent jobs, Nemer Abohasen, vice president and Southeast general manager of DHL Express, said in an email.

“Due to our improved processing capabilities, we’re able to get our vehicles out for delivery much sooner as well as provide a later pickup cutoff time,” Abohasen said. “Additionally, we added a retail counter, so we can now accommodate walk-in customers who are either dropping off or picking up packages at the service center.”

The facility includes 25,200 square feet of warehouse and office space, a conveyer with triple the capacity of the previous system and material handling equipment, the company said.

The shipping center services local pickup and delivery and connects to the global DHL shipping network through a daily flight from Richmond International Airport.

Local growth has been driven by business-to-business and e-commerce shipping as well as business connected to federal contractors and the federal government, the company said. Abohasen said the location’s shipping volume had increased about 14% since last year.

The location includes more than 30 employees and has the ability to process up to 2,000 pieces per hour.

DHL Express is the express shipping arm of DHL Group and serves roughly 3 million customers worldwide through more than 500 airports, according to its website.