DHL Adds 10 Warehouses in North America to serve AI Data Centers
New sites to offer rack configuration, white-glove handling, and specialized transport
DHL Supply Chain announced on March 19 the addition of 10 dedicated warehouse sites across North America, adding more than 7 million sq ft of logistics capacity set to go live by end of 2026. The expansion targets hyperscale and colocation data center operators facing compressed build schedules and complex, cross-border supply chains.
The new facilities will offer rack pre-configuration, white-glove handling of servers, power modules, and networking equipment, and specialized transport for oversized or sensitive components.
By moving integration and testing out of active construction zones and into controlled warehouse environments, DHL said it aims to reduce on-site complexity and limit the risk of installation delays. DHL Supply Chain is also supporting construction logistics for new data center mega-campuses in the region.
"Hyperscalers are creating the digital backbone of the AI era, and they are doing so at extraordinary speed," Hendrik Venter, Global CEO of DHL Supply Chain, said. "Our expanded North America footprint is purpose-built to match that pace-from high-security warehousing and configuration services to white-glove handling and 24/7 service-logistics readiness."
The announcement follows an independently commissioned survey of data center decision-makers. It found that 85% prefer a single end-to-end logistics partner, while only 43% said they currently have one.
The expansion integrates with DHL Global Forwarding's network for multimodal transport, customs clearance, and heavy-lift capabilities. Much of the high-value IT equipment, including graphics processing units (GPUs) and power cooling systems, originates in Asian manufacturing hubs and requires coordinated air, ocean, and road routing to North American deployment sites.
"Data center logistics crosses oceans, borders, and regulatory regimes," Oscar de Bok, Global CEO of DHL Global Forwarding, Freight, said. "The combination of scale, sensitivity, and speed makes this one of the most demanding global supply chains."
North America accounts for more than 40% of the world's data centers. Venter described the region as "a first major step," with additional regions already scheduled for capacity upgrades, positioning the announcement as the opening phase of a broader global rollout.
The move is part of a wider push by DHL into AI-driven logistics.
In October 2024, DHL Supply Chain deployed two generative AI tools internally, developed with Boston Consulting Group (BCG), to automate data analysis for solutions design and accelerate sales proposal development.
A year later, it partnered with AI startup HappyRobot to deploy agentic AI for operational communication, handling appointment scheduling, driver follow-up, and warehouse coordination autonomously.