DHL Supply Chain is investing in a new automated healthcare logistics hub at Infinity Park Derby, combining shared-user warehousing, multi-temperature capabilities and sustainability-led design. The facility reflects how healthcare supply chains are evolving to meet growing demand for pharmaceuticals, medical devices and consumer health products through greater resilience, scalability and automation.
DHL Supply Chain is developing a new 194,000 sq. ft. automated healthcare hub at Infinity Park Derby, creating a shared-user platform designed specifically for the life sciences sector.
The facility will support organisations across consumer health, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and animal health, serving as DHL’s flagship Life Sciences and Healthcare site in the UK and Ireland and the seventh facility within its specialist healthcare network.
More than a traditional warehouse, Infinity Park Derby is designed to help healthcare organisations transition away from fragmented logistics models toward standardised, scalable and resilient supply chain operations.
The development also represents a key milestone in DHL’s £550 million commitment to automation and infrastructure across the UK and Ireland, while contributing to DHL Group’s broader €2 billion investment in life sciences and healthcare by 2030.
Martin Willmor, CEO of DHL Supply Chain UK & Ireland, highlighted the changing demands facing healthcare supply chains.
“The UK health landscape is experiencing sustained, above-trend growth across pharma, medical devices and consumer health, driven by demand for advanced therapies and personalised medicine. Developing the new Infinity Park site ensures we can meet this accelerating demand with the specialist infrastructure needed to support growth.
By combining automation with multi-temperature flexibility, we are making market-leading technology accessible to organisations of all sizes, helping them scale without sacrificing quality, control or sustainability.”
As healthcare supply chains face increasing complexity, automation is emerging as a critical capability for improving service levels, compliance and efficiency.
Infinity Park Derby has been designed around high-density automation technologies, including pallet shuttle systems capable of handling inbound processing, storage and order picking with minimal manual intervention. The site also has the capability to introduce Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) as operations evolve.
The facility will support both B2B and B2C fulfilment models, enabling healthcare companies to respond more effectively to changing patient needs and customer expectations.
By operating as a shared-user environment, the site gives organisations access to advanced logistics capabilities without the significant capital investment required to build dedicated infrastructure.
One of the defining features of the Derby facility is its ability to manage products across multiple temperature ranges.
The site will support ambient, chilled and frozen environments, allowing it to accommodate a broad range of healthcare products, from over-the-counter consumer health products to temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals and medical devices.
This flexibility is becoming increasingly important as the healthcare sector experiences sustained growth in advanced therapies and personalised medicine, both of which place greater demands on logistics providers.
According to DHL, the combination of regulatory-grade infrastructure, automation and shared-user operations is intended to improve speed to market, enhance predictability and reduce cost-to-serve without compromising compliance requirements.
Alongside automation, sustainability has been embedded into the design of the facility.
Infinity Park Derby is targeting both a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating and EPC ‘A’ certification and has been designed using a net-zero approach to operate as a carbon-neutral facility.
The development incorporates electrification, energy-efficient automation and renewable energy integration, including on-site solar photovoltaic generation and the sourcing of renewable electricity.
The warehouse is also designed to maximise storage density, accommodating up to 40% more pallets within the same footprint compared with traditional facilities.
Combined with “dark-store” automation requiring minimal lighting and integrated EV charging infrastructure, the approach is intended to significantly reduce operational energy demand while supporting lower-carbon transportation.
Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, said the investment demonstrates confidence in the UK’s position as a hub for life sciences innovation.
“This investment is a strong vote of confidence in the UK as a leading destination for life sciences and advanced logistics. Facilities like Infinity Park Derby show how we are creating the right conditions for businesses to invest, innovate and grow through our modern Industrial Strategy.
“By combining cutting-edge automation with high-quality jobs, DHL’s new site will strengthen our healthcare supply chains and support economic growth in the Midlands and across the UK.”
Nick Richardson, Infinity Park Derby LLP, said:
“We are delighted to see construction progressing at Plot B1 with DHL as our tenant. This development represents another key milestone for Infinity Park Derby, reinforcing its position as one of the East Midland’s premier locations for advanced logistics and distribution. The scheme’s strong sustainability credentials reflect our long-term commitment to delivering high-quality, future-proofed space for end occupiers.”
Kean Hird, Partner at Catalyst Capital, added:
“We are pleased to forward fund this high-quality logistics asset, pre-let to a globally recognised occupier in DHL. The development aligns with our investment strategy, focusing on best-in-class assets with strong ESG credentials and long-term income security.”
