DHL Express Sees 23 Percent Volume Spike During Peak Holiday Season

DHL Express U.S. is gearing up for big volume growth during the upcoming holiday season, according to CEO Greg Hewitt. 'We're already seeing 30% inbound volume growth all year. During the peak we'll see that rise by 23%,' he said. Hewitt said during the peak shipping day - either December 21st or December 22nd - DHL Express will deliver a quarter million parcels in one day. He said DHL Express begins preparing for the holiday season during the summer, by figuring out such logistics as how to supplement its vehicle fleet and how to expand its workforce. This year, the company is increasing its staff by about 12 percent during the peak season. Hewitt said this year's growth in inbound volume has largely been from China and the U.K., while most of the outbound volume is coming from Canada and Australia. 'When the U.S. dollar is strong, we see a little less outbound volume, export volume. And what we see if a lot more consumers and companies bringing goods in,' said Hewitt, who added that while inbound volume has surged this year, outbound volume has only risen about 5 percent. When asked how DHL competes against FedEx (FDX) and UPS (UPS), Hewitt responded that his company is focused on its extensive international business. Hewitt spoke with TheStreet's Rhonda Schaffler at DHL Express' customer service center in midtown Manhattan.