For years, India’s technology and innovation story has been driven by metro hubs like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune. But today, global multinationals are increasingly looking beyond tier-I cities, turning to India’s tier-II hubs for their next wave of digital growth. Logistics leader DHL Group has become the latest to underscore this trend by opening its fifth IT services center in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The new center isn’t just about expansion—it is also DHL’s first dedicated technology training academy in India, designed to equip professionals with advanced skills in automation, artificial intelligence (AI), digital solutions, and leadership development.
DHL IT Services: The digital backbone of global logistics
As the technology arm of DHL Group, DHL IT Services (DHL ITS) powers the logistics giant’s worldwide operations with nearly 6,000 IT professionals spread across regions. From AI-enabled logistics and IoT to robotics and advanced analytics, DHL ITS provides secure, scalable, and resilient solutions that ensure DHL’s global supply chain runs 24/7.
With India emerging as a core hub for digital innovation, DHL ITS has rapidly scaled its presence. In just the past two years, it has grown from one office to five technology centers across Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and now Indore, employing over 1,300 experts in India alone.
“Digitalisation is one of the five megatrends guiding our Strategy 2030, and India is central to building the digital backbone of our business,” said Supriya Rao Patwardhan, Executive Vice President, Global Head of IT Services, DHL Group.
Why Indore? A strategic bet on Tier-II
Talent
While metros continue to dominate India’s IT landscape, cities like Indore are fast emerging as preferred destinations for global companies. The reasons are compelling: a strong academic ecosystem, high-quality engineering talent, and better retention rates compared to metros.
Located at Brilliant Summit, DHL’s new Indore IT Services center has already welcomed its first 100 employees.
The city’s educational institutions provide a pipeline of skilled graduates, while its lower attrition levels offer companies long-term stability.
“We are proud to be the first major international logistics player to establish a center in Indore,” said Johan Berghs, SVP, Global Head of Digital Solutions and Head of ITS India. “Our decision was driven by the desire to expand into second-tier cities and tap into vibrant new talent pools. Indore allows us to partner with universities, shape curricula, and create direct career pathways into DHL Group.”
Skilling as the core of expansion
What sets the Indore hub apart is its dual role as a technology center and a training academy. This academy will offer structured programs in digital technologies, automation, AI, and leadership, ensuring employees aren’t just job-ready but also future-ready.
Over the years, DHL ITS India has built strong collaborations with 15+ technology partners and forged academic partnerships with leading universities. These programs align academic learning with industry needs, enabling a steady supply of skilled professionals for the logistics tech ecosystem.
“In just eight years, and particularly over the last two, we have built a powerhouse of talent in India,” said Berghs. “What we offer goes far beyond jobs—we are creating career pathways, global exposure, and leadership opportunities for the next generation of technology professionals.”
The Larger Trend: Skilling and Tier-II expansion
DHL’s expansion into Indore reflects a broader industry trend: multinational companies are embracing tier-II cities like Coimbatore, Jaipur, Indore, and Bhubaneswar as new hubs for IT services, digital engineering, and skilling ecosystems.
Several factors are fueling this shift:
- Deep talent pools from universities in smaller cities.
- Government focus on skilling and digital literacy, aligning with initiatives like Digital India.
- Improved infrastructure in tier-II hubs, making them attractive for IT services.
- Higher employee retention rates, compared to the churn-heavy metros
For India, this trend means job creation beyond metros, inclusive growth, and the rise of a distributed technology workforce that strengthens the country’s digital economy.
Building the future of tech-enabled logistics
DHL ITS India’s rapid expansion—from a single office to five centers in just 18 months—signals both the strength of India’s talent ecosystem and the critical role the country plays in DHL’s global digital strategy.
“We are the Group’s technology partner where domain knowledge of logistics and technology trends converge,” said Rao Patwardhan. “From AI-enabled logistics to robotics, IoT, and advanced analytics, our teams are building global solutions that make DHL’s IT backbone a sustainable and competitive advantage.”
As India cements its place as a global skilling hub, DHL ITS Indore is more than just another office opening. It represents a strategic pivot to tier-II cities, a deep investment in local talent, and a commitment to shaping the next generation of digital innovators.