As part of its ongoing £482m (US$613m) investment to boost capacity and scale for e-commerce growth in the UK, DHL eCommerce has opened its first operationally carbon-neutral UK site in Camberley in the south of England.
The company has invested £7m (US$8.9m) in the facility, which is powered almost entirely by solar energy and has achieved the highest Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating, A+, thanks both to the on-site renewable energy generation as well as IoT technology to minimize energy use, low-use water appliances and submeters, and the use of equipment and materials throughout with low embodied carbon.
In instances when weather conditions necessitate the use of grid electricity, the site will source renewable energy.
The new Camberley facility will handle 10,000 parcels a day and features 10 electric van charging points. It will be followed by a second UK hub opening in Coventry in the coming months, significantly increasing volume capacity and setting a new benchmark in e-commerce automation.
Stuart Hill, CEO of DHL eCommerce UK, said, “The new Camberley site really demonstrates how our UK investment is being put toward sustainable growth, it’s a blueprint for the industry. With our Coventry Hub opening soon, we’re expanding capacity and enhancing service levels all across the country.”
The Camberley site has been built with employee well-being in mind and features biophilic design principles to improve employees’ connectivity to the natural environment, including a living wall in the lobby. In addition, employees have access to EV charging and a sustainable cycle shed to encourage employees to opt for sustainable travel.