Parcel service provider GLS systematically improves link to new economic regions
Amsterdam, 8 February 2010. India, Hong Kong, Russia, the Middle East – GLS has strengthened its connection to these countries and economic regions. This enabled GLS to reduce delivery times for standard parcel shipment to several countries. Transparency and quality have improved. More partnerships are now under way .
A parcel to Novosibirsk arrives in three to four days, so does a shipment to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates – handled by parcel service provider GLS, a company completely focused on building its network in Europe. A contradiction? Not in the opinion of Rico Back, CEO of GLS Group. “We are connected to the whole world through contractual agreements. In particular, we have strengthened our ties to emerging markets through new partners because these regions are becoming increasingly important for our customers.”
The most recent example: GLS created a link to the Middle East by entering a partnership with MIDEX INTERNATIONAL. The IATA-licensed GLS Airport Office at Frankfurt Airport handles parcels from all over Europe and sends them on their way to Dubai. From there, MIDEX takes care of customs clearance and distribution to the Arabian Peninsula and parts of the Levant and Northern Africa.
Just a few months before, GLS had signed agreements with other high-performance partners: EMS Garantpost services the Russian Federation, Gati Ltd. the Indian subcontinent and TF Logistics Hong Kong. “We exchange parcels with our global partners and each partner uses the strength of the other’s area-wide network”, says Rico Back. “In each case both sides attach importance to high standards : high customs clearance competence, short delivery times, safety and transparency.”
IT and customs clearance competence
The use of modern IT and communications technology is standard for all GLS partners. The companies’ track & trace systems are linked so that consignors can check the status of their parcels from collection through to delivery. Also important: customs clearance competence. GLS has been an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) since 2009. This reduces transit times for parcels sent via GLS to countries outside of the European Union. The partners in the respective countries take care of import customs clearance.
GLS Group will continue to strengthen its global links in the future. In important economic regions, the company is already conducting negotiations with potential partners. “Our cooperation partners appreciate the fact that GLS’ network expansion is consistently focused on Europe. This way there are no competitive situations”, says Rico Back. “Europe is and will remain our core competence, but, thanks to our partners, we are also able to offer our customers high quality parcel service worldwide.”
Quality delivered by GLS
General Logistics Systems B.V., Amsterdam (GLS), is a Pan-European company providing reliable, high-quality parcel and express services as well as value-added logistics solutions. The company offers its services through wholly owned and partner companies in 36 European states, and is globally connected via contractual agreements. The GLS system consists of 36 central transhipment points, 678 depots and 13,000 employees. Some 18,000 vehicles transport 350 million parcels annually for 228,000 customers throughout Europe. In the financial year 2008/09, GLS achieved revenues of 1.8 billion euros. GLS stands for “European Leader in Quality“. This is something that everyone working for GLS strives to achieve every day.