( CNN ) -- German logistics giant Deutsche Post said Monday it was cutting 9,500 jobs as part of a major program to restructure its loss-making DHL delivery service in the United States . DHL 's restructuring is expected to result in heavy job losses . Deutsche Post said it would discontinue its U.S. ground and air delivery operations based out of Wilmington , Ohio , following an outsourcing agreement with UPS . DHL Express will continue to operate between the United States and other nations , the company said in a statement . DHL 's 9,500 job cuts are on top of 5,400 job cuts announced earlier this year . The statement said DHL was shutting down all ground hubs and reducing its number of stations to 103 from 412 . The company said it was making the cuts to improve profitability and `` to prepare the company for the economic challenges ahead . '' DHL Express is owned by the German company Deutsche Post World Net . Officials in Ohio had been hoping to prevent layoffs . State senator Sherrod Brown sent a letter Sunday to DHL Express Chief Executive Officer John Mullen and urged employment officials in Washington for emergency funds to assist workers and communities affected . In May , Deutsche Post announced plans to outsource air services with UPS . Brown says the plan would mean shutting down DHL 's hub in Wilmington and cutting at least 8,000 jobs . Brown testified at two congressional hearing this year that centered on the proposal . Prior to the announcement , Wilmington Mayor David Razik said he was preparing for the worst . `` Given the state of the economy and the world wide economic collapse we know it ca n't be good news , '' he told CNN Sunday night . `` Freight is down significantly , DHL is losing customers , they have laid off sales personnel in other locations . We really think it 's certainly not going to be good for Wilmington . ''
German owners of DHL announce 5,400 job cuts . DHL Express says Ohio air and ground operations to wind up . Officials in U.S. had hoped to prevent job losses .