DHL Global Forwarding, the air and ocean freight specialist within Deutsche Post DHL, announces that they have opened seven commercial branch offices throughout the United States and expects to open an additional office in Greensboro, North Carolina by the end of 2011. The commercial branch offices have been strategically selected in expanding markets with the potential for future growth.

During the first quarter of 2011, DHL Global Forwarding opened its first offices in Austin, Texas; Albany, New York; Calexico, California; and Reno, Nevada. During the second and third quarters of the year, they opened commercial branch offices in Boise, Idaho; Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina; and Louisville, Kentucky. Each office was strategically opened as part of a phased approach to ensure optimal operational execution.

"These commercial branch offices were established to offer more access from customers requesting improved service execution and reduced costs," said Brian Lindholm, CEO for DHL Global Forwarding North America. "For DHL, these markets are important as they represent existing as well as prospective opportunities, so given our now enhanced geographic proximity, we are better positioned to serve customers more efficiently and effectively."

With annual logistics spending in Austin and neighboring city San Antonio in the hundreds of millions of dollars,[1] it is a perfect fit for DHL to serve the high-tech and pharmaceutical companies expanding in the area. Similarly, Albany was chosen because it is a crossroads for manufacturing and proximity for companies doing business in the Northeast, since it is strategically located two hours from Canada, New York City and Boston. The Calexico office, on the U.S.-Mexico border, serves as a commercial sales office for DHL Global Forwarding's customers in Mexico. The Calexico office was a point of entry previously not available, which now serves mainly the Maquila, technology and automotive sectors. Reno has also been experiencing diversification of its business base through distribution, warehousing and manufacturing facilities, which allow for DHL professionals to provide their knowledge and solutions to these sectors.

The city of Boise has increased import and exports to and from markets in Asia, Europe, Canada and Mexico, becoming a strategic location in the West for DHL. With important multinational corporations headquartered in the cities of Greenville and Spartanburg, and a growing international airport, DHL has strategically placed locations in-line with its objective of being a more commercially-driven organization.

Opened during the third quarter of 2011, the Louisville office is positioned for DHL as a strategic city for cargo transported throughout the U.S. Slated to open by the end of 2011, the Greensboro, North Carolina office, home to several Fortune 500 companies, will be situated in proximity to the Research Triangle, allowing DHL to provide services to high-tech and pharmaceutical companies in the area.

"As Global Forwarding expands its U.S. business, our main objective is to keep our customers in focus at all times while building a broad business base," said Todd Boice, senior vice president for DHL Global Forwarding North America. "After strategically moving into these key markets, we are well poised for growth and look forward to helping customers expand their business through our extensive global network."