The New Landscape of Supply Chain Real Estate - a major shift is underway leading businesses to rethink their strategy

WESTERVILLE, Ohio, June 13, 2017 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Companies are re-thinking their go-to-market strategies and, as a result, making different choices about how they locate, design and operate their distribution networks. This has created a new landscape for supply chain real estate, according to a report published today by DHL Supply Chain, the Americas' leader in contract logistics and part of Deutsche Post DHL Group, which discusses the new landscape of supply chain real estate. Global and regional supply chains are changing, as they adapt to the new realities of commerce and competition.

The New Landscape of Supply Chain Real Estate is a report by Lisa Harrington, President of the lharrington group LLC, prepared in collaboration with DHL Supply Chain. Harrington is also Senior Research Fellow at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland.

The report states that while a healthier global economy fuels the demand for supply chain real estate, it is not the only driver. Four other forces are at work, and they are having a transformational effect on companies' distribution center (DC) networks. They include:

• The e-commerce revolution
• Globalization and right-shoring
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Technology innovation

In this landscape of change, the job of managing network real estate is a lot more complex. For this reason, interviewees taking part in this research report, increasingly turn to outside experts for help. These experts come in several forms, including network design consultants, real estate brokers and 3PLs.

 "The face of global supply chain networks is changing," says Harrington, author of the DHL Supply Chain report.  "Gone are the days of operating a static real estate portfolio and tweaking it every five to seven years. Business is too dynamic and the stakes are too high."

"The fact is," Harrington continues, "the way companies manage their supply chain real estate portfolios has morphed from a tactical/operational concern to a strategic differentiator. Supply chains that operate more nimbly and at lower cost don't just save money. They drive growth."

Kent Waggoner, VP of Strategy & Business Development with DHL Real Estate commented, "Operating a logistics network that delivers strategic growth, while also meeting overall financial objectives, requires robust real estate management capabilities that range from site selection and property development to lease management and facilities operation."

Waggoner adds, "In the United States, we are seeing an increase in network reconfigurations to improve service levels and flexibility while minimizing overall network costs. As this trend continues, DHL is well positioned to provide its U.S. customers with seamless, end-to-end solutions to address these complex supply chain and real estate challenges."

As the companies interviewed for this research indicate, partnering with an integrated 3PL, one that is expert in both operations management and real estate, can provide a seamless and powerful solution.

To download the report please visit: www.dhl.com/real-estate

Media Contacts:

Nicole Porter

DHL Supply Chain

Phone: 614-865-8437

E-mail: nicole.porter@dhl.com

On the Internet: www.dpdhl.de/press

Follow us at: www.twitter.com/DeutschePostDHL

Courtenay Hollington

Fahlgren Mortine

Phone: 614-383-1626

E-mail: courtenay.hollington@fahlgren.com   

DHL – The logistics company for the world

DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL family of divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With about 350,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, energy, automotive and retail, a proven commitment to corporate responsibility and an unrivalled presence in developing markets, DHL is decisively positioned as "The logistics company for the world".

DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of more than 57 billion euros in 2016.

Media Contact:Courtenay Hollington, Fahlgren Mortine, 614.383.1626, courtenay.hollington@fahlgren.com

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SOURCE DHL Supply Chain