DHL opens Mexican shipping gateway

South Florida Business Journal - 4:26 PM EDT Wednesday, June 13, 2007 

As part of its billion-dollar North American expansion, DHL has opened an international gateway in Hermosillo, Mexico.

The new gateway serves to penetrate a growing shipping market between northwestern Mexico and the United States, the Plantation-based delivery firm said.

Daily flights will run between Hermosillo and Phoenix, with all northbound shipments being routed through Phoenix to DHL's principal air and ground hub in Wilmington, Ohio.

The new service enables next-day delivery for all shipments up to 150 pounds from Hermosillo to the entire U.S. network. The service also provides for second-day delivery to and from Guaymas, Ciudad Obregón, Navojoa, Empalme and other surrounding communities, as well as later shipment cutoff times for international deliveries from the region.

The new flight will particularly benefit customers shipping high value automotive parts, electronics, textiles, medical devices and other products produced and manufactured in northwestern Mexico.

"Northwest Mexico is a growing market with significant trade with the U.S. in key industries, including automotive and electronics," said Lindsay Birley, DHL executive vice president of international products and services. "The new Hermosillo gateway allows us to expand our service options and make cross-border shipping easier for customers by effectively reducing international transit times and providing later shipment cutoff times."

Mexico is the second largest importer of U.S. goods and the third-ranking country of origin for U.S. imports, DHL said.

DHL Express Mexico maintains four major ground hubs - two in Mexico City, one in Guadalajara and one in Monterrey - and four additional international gateways in Mexico City, Saltillo, Guadalajara and Merida.