DHL plans East Coast distribution center in Allentown, Pa.

DHL plans East Coast distribution center in Allentown, Pa.    DHL, the Brussels-based provider of express delivery and logistics services, said it plans to locate a new distribution center for the U.S. East Coast in Allentown, Pa.
   The $107 million facility, which is intended to serve DHL's customers in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, will be completed in the fall of 2006 and employ 340 people. It will have a handling capacity of 40,000 letters and 45,000 parcels per hour. The base footprint of the structure will be 290,000 square feet, with another 200,000 square feet on a mezzanine level, as well as 12,000 square feet for offices.
   As part of a $1.2 billion North American network expansion program started last June, DHL has already announced plans for a West Coast distribution center in Riverside, Calif., an expanded air and ground hub in Wilmington, Ohio, and seven new regional sorting centers.