DHL to build new logistic centre at Brucargo

International courier company DHL Global Forwarding, a subdivision of the group Deutsche Post-DHL, is geared to start construction of a new outfit at Brucargo, the airfreight zone at the Zaventem airport, a press release by DHL and Brussels Airport announced. With this 27-million euro investment, DHL Global Forwarding Belgium will join its airfreight activities under one roof in a 23 000-square metre hangar on the 54 000 square metre site at the Brucargo West site. Its staff, currently spread over three buildings, will all be housed together by December, when construction is scheduled for completion. The outfit’s total operational surface currently covers 12 000 square metres, says Annelies Peeters of DHL Global Forwarding Belgium, adding that at present there are no plans to recruit more staff. From its new logistic platform they hope to “better accommodate the current and future logistic requirements of their clients of the different industry sectors”. DHL has been active at Brucargo since the start of the freight zone in 1980, establishing its European hub here in 1985. When the increasing number of night flights led to protest from residents in surrounding areas, it became a hugely contested political dossier under the Verhofstadt government, which led to DHL’s decision in 2004 to move its European hub from Brussels to Leipzig.