DHL SUPPLY CHAIN CONTINUES NEW ZEALAND LIFE SCIENCE FACILITY ROLLOUT

• $30m (€16.5m) investment in pharmaceutical and health supply chain
• Green Star-rated facility for Auckland Airport

DHL Supply Chain is strengthening New Zealand’s pharmaceutical, medical device and consumer health supply chain with the rollout of two new Green Star-rated life science facilities.

Representing investments of more than $30 million in state-of-the-art capital, the company is establishing the Auckland-based facilities for commencement between November 2023 and July 2025 in partnerships with industrial property specialist Stride Property and Auckland Airport.

The sites will meet stringent industry-specific regulatory requirements while boosting New Zealand’s limited commercial property supply with approximately 20,000 square metres of additional warehousing floor space.  

The Stride Property facility, which commences operations in November 2023, will feature temperature and humidity-controlled areas, cold chain storage for two to eight degrees Celsius and freezers capable of minus 20 degrees Celsius.

Commencing operations from July 2025, the Auckland Airport facility will be 5 Star Green rated and feature a temperature and humidity-controlled environment, with the addition of controlled drugs and dangerous goods storage, high-security cage, validation chambers, specialised co-pack rooms and technical rooms. The purpose-built facility will be located within Auckland Airport’s award-winning The Landing Business Park.

Supporting DHL’s commitment to sustainability, the sites will feature the latest in building management systems, water-saving devices, LED lighting, low emission HVAC systems and will offer EV chargers for visiting customers. 

To provide power for the conditions required in life sciences and healthcare supply chain facilities, the roof is designed for the installation of solar power systems capable of generating 750 kW. 

Matt Casbolt, Managing Director at DHL Supply Chain New Zealand, said the new facilities will deliver significant benefits for DHL’s partners and customers while consuming less environmental resources over the long term.

“Establishing 3PL life sciences and healthcare supply chain facilities is a highly specialised function which requires significant expertise in fulfilling global industry regulatory requirements together with the needs of our customers,” Mr Casbolt said.

“This work provides good outcomes for our valued staff who are directly employed at these facilities, but also for New Zealand life science sectors and patients who rely on high-performing and specialised LSHC logistic services for the supply of medical products throughout New Zealand,” he said. 

Auckland Airport Chief Commercial Officer Mark Thomson said Auckland Airport was thrilled to be selected as DHL’s development partner for this facility.

“This will be the fourth project that Auckland Airport has delivered for DHL, which will not only provide a world class environment for DHL’s customers, but it also targets 5 Star Green certification,” Mr Thomson said.