DHL Group has announced a major expansion of its data centre logistics capabilities in North America, underscoring the growing importance of specialised supply chain solutions as hyperscale and colocation providers accelerate infrastructure deployment.
The initiative will see the addition of 10 dedicated warehouse facilities across the region, delivering more than seven million square feet of logistics space scheduled to become operational in 2026. The expansion is designed to support increasingly complex and time-sensitive data centre supply chains, as operators contend with compressed construction timelines and globally distributed sourcing networks.
End-to-end logistics for high-value infrastructure
The new sites will offer a suite of specialised services tailored to the handling of high-value, sensitive IT equipment, including servers, networking systems, and power modules. Capabilities will include white-glove handling, rack pre-configuration, and secure, controlled transportation from warehouse to installation site.
By relocating integration and testing activities from project sites to secure logistics facilities, DHL aims to streamline deployment processes, reduce on-site congestion, and improve installation timelines. This approach is expected to enhance efficiency while mitigating the risks associated with handling complex equipment in live construction environments.
The expansion is being led by DHL Supply Chain, which is also supporting construction logistics for large-scale data centre campuses. The focus is on ensuring precision, coordination, and speed across all stages of project execution.
Responding to hyperscale growth and AI-driven demand
The move reflects accelerating demand for data centre capacity, driven in large part by the rapid growth of cloud computing and artificial intelligence infrastructure. Hyperscale operators are scaling at unprecedented speed, requiring logistics partners capable of delivering synchronised, end-to-end solutions across multiple geographies.
North America—home to more than 40% of the world’s data centres—has been identified as a priority market in DHL’s broader global expansion strategy for this sector, with further capacity investments planned in other regions.
Addressing fragmented logistics ecosystems
According to an independent survey commissioned by DHL, 85% of data centre operators prefer working with a single end-to-end logistics provider, although only 43% currently operate under such a model. The findings highlight the fragmented nature of existing supply chains, with around 70% of operators relying on multiple third-party providers for different services.
The study also found that 89% of respondents consider having a single point of contact—such as a dedicated account manager—critical to ensuring coordination and visibility across complex logistics operations.
Integrated global capabilities
The expanded infrastructure is closely integrated with the capabilities of DHL Global Forwarding, enabling seamless multimodal transport solutions, customs expertise, and heavy-lift handling for international shipments.
This is particularly relevant as data centre supply chains span continents, with components often manufactured in Asia and deployed across North America and Europe. Equipment such as graphics processing units (GPUs), which are central to AI workloads, frequently require expedited air transport, while larger components move via ocean freight or specialised road solutions.
DHL also pointed to increasing investments in emerging regions such as Latin America, alongside growing reliance on charter air capacity across key trade lanes, as factors shaping demand for advanced logistics services.
Managing complexity in a high-stakes supply chain
Data centre logistics is emerging as one of the most demanding segments within global supply chains, characterised by the need for speed, precision, and security. Shipments often involve high-value, mission-critical components that must be delivered and installed within tightly coordinated project timelines.
By combining warehousing, configuration, transportation, and project logistics under a single integrated framework, DHL aims to position itself as a strategic partner for data centre developers seeking to accelerate time-to-market while maintaining operational resilience.
The company indicated that this North American expansion represents the first phase of a broader, group-wide strategy to scale its capabilities in the fast-growing data centre logistics sector.
