DHL, the world’s leading international express services provider, expanded its operations in Houston, Texas with the opening of a new Service Center facility. The $2.5 million investment was primarily driven by heavy demand and international shipment growth from the region’s booming oil and gas sector. The new 28,000-sq.-ft facility can process more than 2,500 shipments per hour, and sits due west of the central business district – serving Houston and surrounding areas for pick-up, delivery and sorting operations of international shipments. The center will nearly double the local facility capacity for DHL Express in Houston, resulting in earlier delivery times and later drop off cut-off times for international importers and exporters. With an increase in activity linked to the oil and gas industries, DHL Express has seen an uptick in emergency shipping of machinery parts and replacement tools. “DHL Express is constantly looking for ways to improve and enhance its international express services through investments in our U.S. operations, which is why we are so pleased to accommodate growth and enhance service for one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States,” said John Fox, Sr. Vice President and General Manager for DHL Express. DHL Express operations in Houston also include a Service Center north of the city in Humble, Texas, an aircraft ramp at George Bush Intercontinental Airport as well as its U.S. Customer Finance Support Center. The state-of-the-art facility will handle a variety of shipments, including international small parcels as well as palletized and container freight. It features energy efficient T-5 lighting and will also accommodate on-site fueling for more than 20 pick-up and delivery vehicles powered by propane autogas. The new DHL Express Service Center is located at 3300 Claymore Park Drive, Houston, Texas.