DHL Group is expanding its logistics footprint across Central and Eastern Europe as manufacturers and retailers reassess production locations, sourcing strategies and distribution networks. Poland is central to the investment program, supported by trade growth forecasts that point to rising demand for regional warehousing, freight transportation and cross-border logistics capacity.
According to an official press release issued by DHL Group, the company plans to invest more than €400 million across Central and Eastern Europe through 2030, strengthening logistics infrastructure, transportation networks and technology-enabled supply chain services.
The investment forms part of DHL’s Strategy 2030, which identifies Poland, Czechia, Hungary and Romania as markets benefiting from changes in manufacturing locations, international trade patterns and regional distribution requirements.
The program will extend across DHL’s operating divisions, supporting contract logistics, warehousing, business-to-business transportation, international express services, freight capabilities and supply chain control towers.
Nearshoring is an important factor behind the expansion. Companies seeking manufacturing and distribution capacity closer to European consumer markets require logistics infrastructure capable of supporting regional production networks and reliable cross-border inventory movement.
DHL’s investment also reflects the growing importance of Central and Eastern Europe as a distribution base for companies serving multiple European markets.
Poland’s Trade Growth Strengthens the Investment Case
Poland represents a major opportunity within DHL’s regional expansion, supported by trade growth that has consistently exceeded European and global averages.
According to the DHL globalization Tracker, Poland’s goods trade expanded 2.1 times faster than global trade and 2.7 times faster than European Union trade between 2016 and 2025.
The research forecasts that Polish goods trade will grow 28% faster than world trade and 91% faster than EU trade between 2026 and 2029.
These projections provide a commercial basis for expanding logistics capacity, particularly as higher trade volumes increase demand for international freight services, inventory storage and distribution infrastructure.
Poland’s trade relationships are also becoming more diversified. Germany remains a major trading partner, and most Polish trade continues to occur within the EU. However, trade with the United States and China has increased substantially over the past decade.
This combination of strong regional trade and expanding international connections increases the importance of logistics infrastructure capable of handling multiple trade corridors.
DHL is also expanding its contract logistics presence elsewhere in the region. Its extended partnership with Polish retailer Pepco has supported DHL Supply Chain’s entry into Romania, demonstrating how regional retail expansion can generate additional demand for warehousing and distribution services.
DHL Expands Warehousing, Air Freight and Distribution Capacity
The planned investment builds on DHL’s existing infrastructure in Poland, where the company has operated for 35 years and employs more than 10,000 people.
In 2024, DHL opened a €180 million International Logistics Centre in Poznan, one of its largest logistics investments in the country.
The facility supports DHL eCommerce, DHL Freight and Post & Parcel Germany, providing an integrated logistics gateway connecting Poland with other European markets.
Further expansion includes a planned DHL Express air express terminal in Katowice, alongside continued investment in warehousing, distribution networks and advanced technologies across DHL’s operating divisions.
DHL eCommerce has also invested in fulfillment infrastructure and out-of-home parcel locker networks, supporting the development of Poland’s online retail market.
The broader program will strengthen business-to-business transportation networks and supply chain control tower capabilities, which provide centralized visibility and coordination across logistics activities.
These investments address different requirements within the same regional network. Manufacturing expansion generates demand for freight transportation and contract logistics, while retail and e-commerce growth requires distribution capacity and parcel delivery infrastructure.
DHL’s approach also reflects the importance of connecting physical capacity with shipment visibility and inventory coordination as cross-border supply chains become more complex.
Infrastructure Capacity Will Determine How Much Growth the Region Captures
Poland’s projected trade expansion strengthens the case for logistics investment, but faster trade growth does not automatically translate into more efficient supply chains. The commercial value of new facilities will depend on how effectively warehousing, freight networks and cross-border transportation capacity are connected. As manufacturing and distribution activity expands across Central and Eastern Europe, the ability to coordinate inventory and transportation between countries could become as important as the amount of logistics capacity available.
