International e-commerce simplified further

Italy, Portugal, Finland and Bulgaria have recently been added to the international FlexDeliveryService. The number of countries connected across borders via the service thus rises to 21.

Web shops and their customers, in particular, benefit from the international connection via the service, as delivery according to the recipient’s choice rounds off a shopping experience abroad. No matter in which of the affiliated countries online shoppers order goods – GLS will inform them about the delivery in their native language.

Delivery according to choice

Depending on the country in question, recipients will then have various options to manage the time and location of their delivery. GLS or the network partner in the country adapts flexibly to the needs of recipients. This includes, for example, parcel delivery on a desired day, forwarding to a different address or the delivery to a selected ParcelShop.

A pan-European service

In addition to the 21 countries connected in all directions, the FlexDeliveryService has already been set up for export parcels to Greece. GLS is preparing to connect further countries.

More about FlexDeliverService

To the press release

GLS Ireland once again supported and motivated the fast-growing triathlon community, with “Off the Ball” sports commentator Dave McIntyre taking part as a celebrity competitor.

GLS has been one of the main sponsors of the sport’s governing body Triathlon Ireland since 2017. This year, triathlon novice Dave McIntyre trained in his role as a sporting ambassador for GLS, with fans able to follow his progress in swimming, cycling and running via Twitter and Facebook.

Dave McIntyre used the initiative to support the Peter McVerry Trust, which combats homelessness. He not only donated his entire fee, but raised more than 5,000 euros via his GoFundMe page – with the first 500 euros coming as an extra donation from GLS.

Sport and fun with GLS

In addition, GLS was live at four triathlon events (Athy, Loughrea, Mullingar and Dublin), with GLS employees running a variety of initiatives from a tent. The highlight was a prize draw for a Garmin watch at the Dublin City Triathlon, with Dave McIntyre personally presenting the prize to the beaming winner.

GLS Ireland has moved to a new construction in Blarney Business Park ahead of the Christmas rush. Capacity has been increased significantly.

With the new depot, GLS is well prepared for further growth. The warehouse is 240 per cent bigger than the previous depot in Little Island. In addition, the new conveyor system ensures faster and more efficient processes. Three times as many parcels for the region can now be processed. A first-class level of security is provided by internal and external cameras and a high-security fence.

Strategically beneficial location

The new location is ideally connected to all main roads, meaning the international hub in Dublin can be reached quickly. At the same time, GLS is moving closer to important customers. The direct access to GLS is also beneficial for other companies in the business park.

Delivery to suit individual needs: Irish consumers now have convenient delivery options to choose from when GLS delivers their online purchases. The service is available for domestic and international orders including parcels from the United Kingdom.

About 80 percent of Irish online shoppers buy in the UK*. At the same time, it is becoming increasingly popular to shop from domestic** as well as from foreign web shops***. GLS has now expanded the FlexDeliveryService to the benefit of Irish consumers. Online retailers in Ireland and in 16 other countries can book flexible delivery with GLS and offer it to their customers.

Focus on own preferences

With the FlexDeliveryService, GLS informs recipients via e-mail about their upcoming parcel delivery. Shoppers receive an estimated delivery time frame and can choose between several delivery options. Among them, delivery on a specific day and granting a drop off permission. Thus, particularly those who are not at home during the day receive their parcel more simply and conveniently.

*Royal Mail’s Delivery Matters 2017 Ireland edition
**Irish Online Economy Report 2018, agency Wolfgang Digital
***Accenture study, 2014-2020

Delivery options

The GLS Group has acquired the Spanish express parcel delivery company Redyser Transporte.

With the acquisition of Redyser GLS Spain further enhances the domestic offering and strengthens GLS’ position as Spain’s second biggest express parcels network following the acquisition of ASM Transporte Urgente in June 2016.

Redyser predominantly serves the express parcels segment delivering around 14 million parcels annually. It operates through a network of over 200 agencies and franchises and 12 sites in Spain’s main cities.

Expanding the Spanish market

For a total consideration of €16.5 million, GLS acquired 100% of the shares in the Spanish parcel delivery company. In the year ended 31 December 2017, Redyser generated revenue of approximately €45 million. Redyser will be consolidated within the existing Spanish operations.

To the press release

More about the GLS Group

Expanded capacities for the peak season: in the last twelve months the GLS Group has invested more than 100 million euros into the development of its European network.

GLS has built a new international hub in Slovakia (Zvolen). The parcel service provider has also opened seven new depots in the GLS region Europe East – in Romania (Tulcea and Târgu Jiu), Slovenia (Slovenska Bistrica), the Czech Republic (Klatovy and Šumperk) and Hungary (Kazincbarcika and Budapest). Modern new constructions were also put into operation by GLS Germany (Offenburg), GLS Austria (Rankweil) and GLS Poland (Radom).

The major investments also include comprehensive depot expansions, for example in Habay (Belgium), Taastrup near Copenhagen (Denmark), Rotterdam (Netherlands) and Bydgoszcz (Poland). In Neuenstein, Germany, the hub of the express subsidiary DER KURIER has been expanded. In Italy, three GLS depots moved to larger buildings (Pesaro, La Spezia, Imperia).

Parcel volume increased by 30 percent

These measures allowed GLS to increase capacity in time for the autumn and Christmas business. In recent years, the number of parcels transported each day has been around 30 per cent above the annual average from October onwards. In some countries, the volume has even doubled shortly before Christmas. To be able to offer customers the high-quality service they are used to, GLS will not connect any new customers to its system during this period.

The GLS European network

The ISO certificates for quality and environmental management at the GLS Group have been renewed for the next three years. GLS has also achieved GDP certification for the transportation of medicinal products in two more countries.

GLS operating companies in 18 countries had their quality and environmental management systems recertified in accordance with ISO 9001 and 14001. The certification contributes to the transparency of GLS products and services in the eyes of the customers. The management systems help the national organisations to achieve their environmental and quality goals.

GDP-certified medicinal transport

GLS also obtained GDP (Good Distribution Practice) certification in Denmark and Ireland. The GDP guideline is binding for pharmaceutical wholesalers across the EU. Following Germany and France, GLS companies in four countries now meet the stringent safety and hygiene requirements for the non-temperature-controlled transport of medicinal products for human use.

GLS contracted DQS – one of the largest international providers of management system certification – for almost all the certificates.

Reliability

The GLS Group bought regional US overnight parcel delivery company Postal Express Inc.

Postal Express operates in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. The company offers overnight parcel delivery, mainly to business-to-business customers, across a number of industries.

Founded in 1985, Postal Express today operates a network of 15 hub facilities, with around 400 employees. In 2016, Postal Express generated revenue of approximately 42 million dollars and delivered around 8.7 million parcels.

Targeted geographic expansion

GLS acquired 100 per cent of the shares, paying a total consideration of about 12.5 million euros. The company will be consolidated within GLS for reporting purposes but managed as a separate entity. This targeted geographic expansion follows the acquisition of California based Golden State Overnight Delivery Service Inc. (GSO), in October 2016.

More about the GLS Group

The GLS Group has become new owner of the regional next day parcel service Golden State Overnight Delivery Service Inc. (GSO), based in California.

With around 13.5 million deliveries per year, GSO is a leading provider of regional next day delivery services in California. The company also operates in Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico. Focusing on next day delivery services, GSO also offers freight services, both primarily in the B2B segment.

Expanding in an attractive market

In the previous business year GSO generated revenue of approximately 114 million dollars. GLS acquired 100 per cent of the shares in GSO, paying a total consideration of about 80 million euros. With this targeted geographic expansion, GLS is now active in an attractive regional market, representing the world’s fifth largest economy.

GSO will be fully consolidated within GLS, but will be managed as a separate entity. The company was established in 1995, operates 36 facilities and employs a workforce of around 1,900.

In its report “ThinkGLS. ThinkResponsible.” GLS provides information about its numerous sustainability activities in all its national subsidiaries.

The GLS Group continued these activities in the 2013/14 and 2014/15 financial years on an even wider basis. In focus: the agreement of economic, environmental and social issues.

Eco-balance: good progress

Thanks to environmental activities in all its divisions, GLS improved its eco-balance in numerous categories, even though the volume of parcels increased by nearly 15 per cent and GLS expanded its network by 21 new depots and about 1,000 vehicles.

• Consumption of heating energy: dropped by just under 9 per cent
• Water consumption: around 23 per cent less
• Transport vehicles with the Euro 4 standard and above: rose from around 77 to 84 per cent

Expansion of social activities

National subsidiaries of GLS support charitable local projects throughout Europe. The sustainability report provides a comprehensive overview of the Group’s social and fundraising activities.

GLS secures and increases the attractiveness of its workplaces, for instance through national training and professional development as well as through staff surveys. “Depot dialogues”, joint events and partnership programmes help to encourage a spirit of partnership when working with transport companies.

Fostering dialogue

The GLS sustainability report is oriented on the international standards of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). It is published every two years and contributes to dialogue between GLS, its dialogue groups and all stakeholders.

Go to the GLS sustainability report

ThinkGreen initiative
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