DHL Group is investing over EUR 400 million across Central and Eastern Europe until 2030 to improve logistics infrastructure, international connectivity, and technology-driven supply chain solutions so as to help customers establish more resilient as well as agile supply chains.
The investments when it comes to logistics infra in Central and Eastern Europe reflects the trust that has been demonstrated by DHL in the region’s long-term growth prospects as global trade trends develop and the companies go ahead and re-evaluate their manufacturing, sourcing as well as delivery strategies. Poland, Czechia, and Hungary, as well as Romania, are markets that happen to have pretty strong geographic tailwinds in DHL Group’s Strategy 2030, fuelled by their increasing importance when it comes to European manufacturing, trade along with distribution networks, and longer-term trends towards nearshoring by overseas companies that are looking for greater access to the European consumer market.
The investment program is going to embrace DHL Group divisions and at the same time will also boost the growth of contract logistics capacities, warehousing standards, B2B transportation systems, supply chain control tower solutions, international express services, and freight capabilities.
According to John Pearson, CEO of DHL Express, “Central and Eastern Europe is becoming increasingly important to global trade flows and supply chain networks, with Poland in particular emerging as one of Europe’s most dynamic logistics and manufacturing hubs. As customers seek greater resilience and flexibility, they need logistics partners that can connect production, inventory, and markets seamlessly across borders. Through these investments, we are expanding the infrastructure and international connectivity needed to support the growth ambitions of the dynamic companies that are driving the economic development of this region.”
Poland’s growth story is a glimpse of what the region can do
It is well to be noted that the announcement comes as DHL introduces the most recent version as far as the DHL Globalisation Tracker in Poland is concerned and celebrates 35 years of operations in the country.
The results demonstrate the impressive economic transformation and increasing importance of Poland as a European hub as far as trade and manufacturing are concerned. Poland’s trade in goods grew between 2016 and 2025 by 2.1 times faster than the global trade and 2.7 times faster than the EU trade. Poland’s goods trade is expected to expand 28% faster compared to world trade and 91% more rapidly than EU trade between 2026 and 2029.
The analysis also points to an increasing diversification of Poland’s trade relations. Germany is still a key trading partner, and most Polish trade takes place within the European Union, but trade with the United States and China has grown rapidly over the last decade.
The fact is that both, Central and Eastern Europe is positioning itself as a strategic hub for manufacturing and distribution as well as regional fulfilment operations, especially for companies seeking to be closer to the European market, opines Hendrik Venter, CEO of DHL Supply Chain. It also has an increasing number of highly entrepreneurial businesses that are expanding their operations, building strong supply chain resilience and looking at international expansion.
For instance, DHL Supply Chain has just entered the Romanian market by means of an extended partnership with Polish retailer Pepco as they expand within the region. Hendrik says, “Our investments in warehousing, transportation, and supply chain control tower capabilities will help customers respond faster to changing market conditions, manage increased complexity, build more resilient supply chains, and unlock new growth opportunities within Central and Eastern Europe.”
Leveraging a strong investment track record
Poland will continue to be a key element of DHL Group’s growth ambitions in the region. DHL Group has been investing heavily in the Polish market in recent years. In 2024, DHL established its EUR 180 million International Logistics Center in Poznan, one of the biggest logistics investments in the company’s history in Poland. The facility serves several DHL business units, including DHL eCommerce, DHL Freight, and Post & Parcel Germany, and is a significant logistics gateway between Poland and European and global markets.
Says Pablo Ciano, CEO of DHL eCommerce, “DHL has played an active role in Poland’s emergence as a leading European economy, and we are proud of the positive contribution our capabilities – and more importantly, our colleagues in the Polish market – make every day to the development of this important market. We have already made significant investments in recent years in our fulfillment centers and out-of-home locker networks with the aim of providing greater choice to Polish e-commerce marketplaces and consumers. Looking ahead, DHL remains committed to helping Poland strengthen its human capital, deepen its position within global value chains, and provide even greater access for its amazing businesses to new growth opportunities in international markets.”
The wider investment program as part of boosting logistics Infra in Central and Eastern Europe also includes plans to build a new DHL Express air express terminal in Katowice and further investment by DHL Supply Chain, DHL Freight, DHL eCommerce, and DHL Global Forwarding in their warehouse and distribution networks and the use of advanced technologies.
With over 10,000 employees, Poland is one of DHL Group’s ten largest markets globally by headcount. Further investment in workforce skills and expertise remains a priority as DHL continues to support Polish businesses wanting to expand internationally and move into higher-value manufacturing and supply chain activity.
As global supply chains evolve, DHL sees Central and Eastern Europe as an increasingly important hub connecting European production, consumption, and trade. DHL is continuing to bolster its capabilities to help customers create more resilient, globally connected supply chains with ongoing investments in infrastructure, technology, and people.
