DHL has continued to expand its operations at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport over the past seven years, and its latest investment is now underway.

The $108 million North Ramp expansion will provide additional warehouse space, add up to 16 more aircraft gates to expand routes, bring in new equipment to increase sorting capacity and provide capabilities to unload and reload planes more quickly.

DHL announced its plans for the expansion, which will create up to 50 new jobs, in June. The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority approved tax incentives of up to $1 million at that time to help fund the company’s growth. It expects to create 200 additional jobs by the end of 2015 as a result of increased capacity.

“This new $108 million investment is a clear sign of our commitment to the Americas, of our expectations for strong growth and of our dedication to the regional Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati economy,” Stephen Fenwick, CEO, Americas for DHL Express, said in a statement. “As our business has grown here, we are proud to have steadily added new jobs at our CVG hub, the backbone of our Americas network. The continued growth we have seen also benefits our partners at the airport as well as businesses in the surrounding communities that support CVG.”

Since 2009, DHL has invested $280 million in its CVG hub, including a $46 million investment last year to upgrade its small-sorting equipment and create 130 new jobs. The company, part of German firm Deutsche Post DHL, employs 2,400 people in Northern Kentucky, a growth of 50 percent of the past seven years.

“DHL has been a great corporate citizen, investing $281 million in the Commonwealth and providing an increasing number of jobs to families in Northern Kentucky,” said Ky. Gov. Steve Beshear. “DHL’s operations are a key piece of Kentucky’s logistics advantage that allows companies of all sizes to easily grow and expand domestically and internationally.”

DHL processes about 50 million international shipments a year and connects 100 service centers to more than 220 countries around the world, including DHL’s two other hubs in Leipzig, Germany, and Hong Kong.

Article courtesy of Cincinnati Business Courier.