NetworkGLS Germany opens EuropeanEcoHub in Essen
<p>GLS KlimaProtect at its best: At the end of September 2020, GLS Germany opened the new EuropeanEcoHub in Essen. The facility with a current capacity of 75,000 parcels per day is a strategically important element in the GLS network, both regionally and internationally. In terms of sustainable operation, GLS in Essen is setting completely new standards – among other things with a predominantly self-sufficient power supply and a biotope for amphibians.</p>
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Big PictureProper packaging for the environment
<p>The rapid growth in online trade has side effects: mountains of packaging material. To avoid unnecessary waste, clever solutions are needed that benefit both senders and the environment. Recipients are also increasingly demanding more sustainable parcel shipping – with less waste and environmentally friendly materials.</p>
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NetworkPoland: Double capacity in Poznań
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">GLS Poland has considerably expanded the depot in Poznań. Since August 2020, a new hall has been integrated, which increases the total area by about 50 percent. The number of gates for delivery vehicles almost doubled to 158, and the number of loading and unloading gates for linehaul trucks increased from 8 to 13, with the possibility of adding more.</p>
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ThinkResponsibleGLS Germany strengthens e-mobility in city logistics
<p>They are driving in Berlin, Dortmund, Hamburg, Dusseldorf, Leipzig, Nuremberg, among other places and – since July 2020 – Karlsruhe: electric vehicles are on the road for GLS Germany in more and more cities. In Karlsruhe, GLS expanded its fleet by six VW e-Crafters. They enable emission-free delivery in the entire inner city area.</p>
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ServicesGLS launches international returns solution
<p>Simplified cross-border processing of returns parcels – for online shops of any size and their customers. GLS offers a flexible online portal that can be individually configured and branded. Since July 2020, it can be used for returns from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Poland. Further countries such as the UK, Spain and Portugal are being integrated.</p>
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ServicesGLS Poland: contactless payments via BLIK
<p>Recipients of GLS parcels in Poland can pay for <em>Cash<strong>Service</strong></em> shipments cashless and contactless with BLIK since May 2020. This allows them to make payments in compliance with the social distancing rules. All they have to do is provide the delivery driver with the BLIK code for the transaction and, afterwards, confirm it in the mobile application of their bank on their smartphone.<br /> <br /> BLIK is based on a common mobile payment standard the sixth biggest banks in Poland agreed on in 2013. Meanwhile, BLIK has been integrated into the mobile banking apps of 14 participating banks. Instead of a conventional bank or credit card, it can be used for secure payment in online and retail stores or for withdrawing money from cash points.</p>
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PeopleNew CEO of the GLS Group
<p>Martin Seidenberg has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the GLS Group with effect from 25 June 2020. The native German has more than 20 years’ experience in logistics. He joined the Management Board of GLS Germany at the beginning of 2015 and took over as its Chairman. Under his leadership, the largest national company of the GLS Group was able to strengthen its long-term position in the German parcel market and grow continuously.</p>
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ServicesGLS Spain introduces PharmaService
<p>GLS Spain is the sixth GLS subsidiary offering GDP-compliant shipping to its customers. The health and pharmaceutical industry is considered one of Spain’s most important economic sectors with further growth potential.<br /> <br /> “We are observing an increased demand for qualified services", says Luis Doncel, General Manager Iberia at GLS. “This has prompted us to support our customers also in the shipment of medical products with a tailor-made service that meets particularly high quality and safety standards.”<br /> <br /> In May 2020, all depots and hubs of GLS Spain have been certified by DEKRA – in accordance with the European guidelines of Good Distribution Practice of medicinal products for human use. The auditing company thus attests to the Spanish subsidiary particularly reliable, safe and hygienic procedures to ensure a strictly monitored transport chain.<br /> <br /> The <em>Pharma<strong>Service</strong></em> for non-temperature-controlled products offered by GLS Spain is not only compliant with the strict European Directive 2013/C 343/01, but offers even more advantages. Business and private recipients can have their parcels delivered by 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. They also have the option of confirming receipt of the parcel digitally on their own mobile device via the <em>ContactlessSign</em> solution.<br /> <br /> The shipments are handed over exclusively to the designated recipient. An alternative delivery, for example to a neighbour or a ParcelShop, is therefore not possible.</p>
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GLS supportsCommitment to athletics in Germany
<p>Athletics and GLS are a perfect match: top-class performance, goal orientation and endurance. GLS Germany has been supporting the German Athletics Federation (DLV) as main sponsor since 2017 and also sponsors two exceptional athletes: Gesa Felicitas Krause and Julian Reus</p>
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ThinkResponsibleGLS Germany expands electric vehicle fleet
<p>GLS is expanding its electric fleet with eight Mercedes-Benz eSprinters in Hamburg. Along with four e-bikes, these vehicles enable emission-free delivery in the city centre of Hamburg. In Düsseldorf, an electrically powered 7.5-tonne HGV was added to the electrical vehicle fleet.</p>
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NetworkGLS opens new depot in the south of France
<p>GLS France is expanding its Mediterranean network with a new depot in Béziers. The site has been up and running since the start of April 2020.</p>
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ThinkResponsibleEcoVadis silver status confirmed
<p>In June 2020, the GLS Group has been awarded silver status in the sustainability rating from EcoVadis for the second time. Despite increased requirements, GLS improved in the categories Environment, Labour and Human Rights, and Ethics. With an overall score of 65 points, only one point separates the company from gold status, which is only achieved by five per cent of participants. That means the GLS Group is among the top six per cent of assessed companies.</p> <p>Looking at the logistics sector specifically, GLS is among the top ten per cent, and even in the best seven per cent with regard to environmental topics. Ecological awareness and ethical behaviour are firmly entrenched in the corporate strategy of GLS. The EcoVadis seal helps to document the commitment in these areas to customers and other dialogue groups. The audit also makes it easier for GLS to validate and improve its corporate responsibility measures.</p>
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NetworkCoronavirus crisis: GLS networks running and stable
<p>GLS continues to provide parcel shipping services in all countries in which the Group operates – keeping local communities across Europe and North America connected at this critical time. Parcel service providers have a crucial role to play in the coronavirus crisis by providing essential logistic services facilitating the flow of goods.</p>
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NetworkSpain: new hubs near Barcelona and Valencia
<p>To prepare for further growth in parcel volumes, GLS Spain has opened two new hubs. In March 2020, an international transhipment centre near Barcelona went into operation, doubling the GLS’ capacity in the province. Already in November 2019, a national hub near Valencia started operating – with a 70 percent increase in maximum capacity.</p> <p><strong>Santa Perpètua de Mogoda near Barcelona</strong></p> <p>In the new building, GLS Spain has bundled the functions of an international and regional hub with an adjacent depot. On a transhipment area of around 9,000 square metres, up to 8,000 parcels per hour can be processed.</p> <p><strong>Ribarroja near Valencia</strong></p> <p>Here, GLS Spain combined a depot and the GLS hub for the Levant region in one building. A modern automated sorting system allows handling up to 4,000 parcels per hour – on a transhipment area of more than 5,700 square meters.</p>
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ThinkResponsible“Green“ fleet for the Netherlands
<p>Since January 2020, GLS Netherlands has been using electrically powered vehicles in four city centres. This marks the first stage of fully sustainable parcel delivery in Apeldoorn, The Hague, Utrecht and Zwolle – emission-free and quiet.<br /> </p> <p>The eVans replace the diesel-powered transporters previously used in these urban centres. GLS had previously set up the necessary charging infrastructure in the depots located near the delivery areas.<br /> </p> <p>"For us, the development of a 'green' vehicle fleet is an important part of our environmental measures", explains Milo Kars, Managing Director GLS Netherlands. "We plan to deploy many more electric vehicles.”<br /> </p> <p>To further its commitment to the environment, GLS Netherlands has also been participating in the non-profit initiative Lean & Green since November 2019. GLS aims to be awarded a Lean & Green star. This is linked to the goal of reducing CO<sub>2</sub> emissions by at least 20 percent within a maximum of five years. </p>
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NetworkNew sustainable depot opened in Amsterdam
<p>Since February 2020 the new Amsterdam GLS depot has been buzzing with activity. With the modern facility in Atlas Park in the port of Amsterdam, GLS Netherlands has doubled its capacity at the location. 140 loading and unloading gates are now available.<br /> </p> <p>At the same time, emissions are being reduced. A geothermal heat pump serves as the primary heat source. Solar collectors supply the building with "green" electricity. To make optimal use of daylight and save energy, prismatic domes on the roof capture sunlight and distribute it throughout the transhipment hall. When there is a lack of light or movement, the LED lighting switches on. For climate-friendly delivery, there are charging stations for eVehicles.<br /> </p> <p>A further step in network expansion has already begun: GLS Netherlands is expanding and modernising the depot in Wijchen near Nijmegen.</p>
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NetworkBelgium: freight terminal in Tongeren up and running
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The new freight terminal of GLS Belgium started in February 2020 with a capacity of 2,500 pallets per day. The hall is around 5,700 square metres in size and has 75 gates. GLS has invested a total of seven million euros in the new terminal and its equipment. In the summer of 2020, a separate new parcel distribution centre will also start operations at the Tongeren site.</p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"> </p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">Features of the freight terminal include dock levellers for trucks which do not have a lifting platform, volume scanners and automatic scales embedded in the floor. Over 900 solar panels on the roof supply the depot with sustainable electricity. Charging stations for e-vehicles and a rainwater recovery system are also installed.</p>
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Big PictureBenelux: three countries, one powerhouse
<p>A strong economic region on the outside, close ties on the inside: Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg have long believed in cooperation. And this is also reflected at GLS. Together, the Benelux companies offer customers a one-stop shop for parcel and freight shipping.</p>
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