Global logistics carrier DHL has opened a €300 million new distribution hub in Leipzig, Germany, to offer a faster service to its clients, Managing Automation reported. The move reflects the continuing shift of Europe's center of economic and manufacturing gravity steadily East, in search of new partners and low-cost production.

The move to Leipzig hasn't started recently but was planned back in 2004, although it was not entirely an open choice. DHL was forced to move from its previous Brussels base when night-time flights were banned. The Leipzig regional government also offered an attractive package of grants, incentives and fast approvals to help DHL make the decision.

In addition, DHL's recently-signed joint venture with German airline Lufthansa, called AeroLogic, will also use Leipzig as its home airport when it officially begins express freight operations in spring 2009.

In an effort to reduce its CO2 footprint, the hub also has 1,000 square meters of solar cells on its roof, generating 100,000 kilowatt hours of electricity a year, and rainwater storage for aircraft cleaning and industrial water supply.