DHL Supply Chain has expanded its service logistics network to more than 150 locations across the U.S. and Canada to accelerate delivery of mission-critical data center installation and replacement parts.
The forward stocking network is designed to deliver critical components within four hours of a customer request, significantly reducing the 24- to 48-hour delivery window common when parts are shipped directly from manufacturing facilities.
The expansion is aimed at equipment manufacturers supporting data center cooling systems, power distribution, backup power, and other capital infrastructure.
By positioning inventory closer to major data center markets, DHL expects manufacturers to respond more quickly to installation needs and service events while helping operators reduce the risk of prolonged downtime.
The timing matters as AI and other compute-intensive workloads drive rapid expansion of hyperscale and colocation infrastructure.
DHL cited Uptime Institute Intelligence data showing that 57% of major data center outages cost more than $100,000, while one in five exceeds $1 million.
At the same time, data center equipment lead times have increased to an average of 42 weeks, up 83% from 2019 levels.
DHL also cited research showing that 57% of data center projects experienced delays of three months or more in 2025.
Those pressures are raising expectations for equipment manufacturers to keep parts available near customer facilities rather than relying solely on centralized manufacturing or distribution sites.
DHL’s network is already being used by data center cooling equipment manufacturers to reduce delays associated with traditional fulfillment models.
The company said the same infrastructure can support a broader set of data center equipment providers that require rapid replacement-parts fulfillment across large installed bases.
The forward stocking solution is supported by warehouse management systems, analytics, inventory planning and real-time visibility tools.
Those capabilities are designed to help manufacturers determine where parts should be stored, forecast demand and track inventory as components move through the network.
The initiative builds on DHL Supply Chain’s broader data center logistics expansion.
Earlier this year, the company announced 10 additional warehouse locations totaling more than seven million square feet of capacity across North America to support hyperscale and colocation infrastructure growth.
That network provides services including white-glove handling, server rack configuration and specialized transportation from warehouses to data center sites.
DHL is also combining those capabilities with freight forwarding, multimodal transportation, customs services and specialized road transportation for heavy and oversized equipment.
The broader strategy is intended to give data center customers an integrated logistics platform covering equipment movement, staging, installation support, replacement parts and ongoing service requirements.
KEY QUOTE:
“As demand for AI and other computing workloads outpaces development, data center operators are under pressure to bring new systems online faster while maintaining uptime across existing infrastructure. Equipment manufacturers need service models that position these critical installation and replacement parts closer to the point of use to reclaim valuable time from stretched project schedules. Our forward stocking network will accelerate deployment schedules, improve parts availability, and help manufacturers meet customer demand for rapid installation support and service response.”
Jenny Sander, Vice President Of Service Logistics At DHL Supply Chain North America
