Nespresso leans on robot-savvy 3PL

BUILDING ON a relationship dating back to 2014, DHL will now also provide logistics and fulfilment services in the UK and Republic of Ireland (ROI). The existing partnerships between DHL and Nespresso in Italy, Brazil, Malaysia and Taiwan will continue.

From Q1 2023, DHL will handle all warehousing across Nespresso’s e-commerce and network of retail boutiques in the UK & ROI. 

The blend of robotics and manual input across the operation was a key driver in Nespresso’s decision to partner with DHL.

To meet the brand’s ambitious growth plans, DHL will employ both ‘spider’ and collaborative robots to scale up at short notice, without requiring additional labour. Robot pickers are able to process up to eight times faster than manual handling. Meanwhile, colleagues at the site will have the opportunity to upskill in automation management.

Projected to handle six million orders in year one alone, the UK operation will be based in a dedicated omnichannel facility in Coventry. It is equipped with state-of-the-art automation, with a BREEAM rating of 'excellent' thanks to extensive environmental features including solar panels, electric charge points and air source heat pumps. The Irish operation will be based in Dublin.

In all markets, DHL will manage key aspects of the supply chain, including storage, warehousing and picking and packing of individual orders.

Nespresso UK & ROI customer care & services director Jan Süßmeir, says: “With their warehousing expertise, innovative automation technology and a strong focus on delivering sustainable operations and services, DHL is the ideal supply chain partner for Nespresso UK & Ireland. Together, we will deliver on Nespresso’s ambitions to further build our premium quality of service and achieve joint success.”