DHL Freight announced that it continues to expand its automotive logistics business with its recent acquisition of a new terminal in Mettmann near Dusseldorf, Germany.

In a statement, DHL said this follows the recent opening of a new facility in Erlensee near Frankfurt, Germany, and the takeover of a site in Gochsheim near Wurzburg, Germany from the logistics company Leupold.

DHL noted that the acquisition sees the business inherit a long-term transport and service contract with a well-known German automotive manufacturer.

"We are very pleased to be able to further expand our network with a site close to Dusseldorf. For us, the new facility in Mettmann represents an important opportunity for strategic expansion, especially in the automotive business. At the same time, we are strengthening our groupage network, which will enable us to offer our customers an even more efficient service as transport volumes increase," said Dr. Thomas Vogel, CEO DHL Freight Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

DHL noted that the new terminal covers more than 26,700 m² and is primarily intended to serve the automotive industry.

It also offers 8,000 m² of handling and storage space as well as 48 gates and an access ramp, which DHL said is ideally suited to meeting the growing demand for logistics services from the automotive sector.

In the future, transport services currently offered to automotive customers from DHL Freight's Cologne facility will be provided from Mettmann.

DHL noted that this will not only improve efficiency and service quality for automotive sector customers but also free up additional groupage processing capacity at Cologne.

"With the strategic acquisition of the facility in Mettmann, DHL Freight is further strengthening its German and European overland transportation network," the logistics company added.