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The run-up to Christmas is parcel time. GLS helps you to avoid stress. Here are the deadlines, packing advice, collection information and other tips you need when sending Christmas parcels.

GLS recommends the following dates for sending Christmas parcels:

• 20 December 2016 at the latest for delivery within Czech Republic
• 19 December 2016 at the latest for delivery in neighbouring European countries
• 16 December 2016 at the latest for delivery in other European countries

Parcels are generally delivered within 24 hours in the Czech Republic and within 48 to 96 hours in Europe. During Advent season, the increased parcel volume and the weather conditions have to be considered – especially when delivering to private addresses.

For your private deliveries, we recommend you to use our online application e-Balík. If you want to save money as well as time, more than 100 GLS ParcelShops throughout Czech Republic are available for dispatches and deliveries.

e-Balík application

Here are a few more tips to ensure that parcels not only reach recipients on time, but also safely:

1. Fill gaps with styrofoam or bubble wrap and close up the outside of the parcel with adhesive tape.

2. Avoid decorative bows or ribbons that could get caught on conveyer belts.

3. Fill out the sender and recipient data in full and legibly.

4. Weigh your parcel – the maximum permitted weight is 40 kilograms.

Secure packing

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.

Due to technical reasons, connection issues on the GLS Czech Republic website might occur on 22 September 2016.

On 22 September 2016 there will be a scheduled system maintenance by our internet service provider. For this reason, connection issues regarding the dispatch tools GLSOnline and GLSConnect as well as e-Balik may occur throughout the day.

GLS Czech Republic apologises for any inconvenience this may cause to our customers.

Strengthening its nationwide services: the Spanish national subsidiary of the GLS Group has acquired the express parcel delivery company ASM Transporte Urgente (ASM).

GLS Spain is growing. With the acquisition of ASM, GLS is strengthening both its network and services, particularly in the national express segment. ASM boasts Spain’s second-largest express parcel network, with 16 hubs and depots as well as more than 1 500 delivery journeys a day. With its strength in the B2C sector, ASM accounts for about 10 per cent of the national parcel market.

Strong figures that speak for themselves

Last year, ASM delivered 25 million parcels, generating revenue of approximately €78 million – highly promising growth.

Since the start of the year, GLS has been working with A2B Express in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro and Kosovo.

Both companies feed international parcels into their partner’s network, with the respective partner then handling onward transport and delivery. GLS Croatia’s hub in Zagreb serves as an interface for cross-border parcels.

The strong presence of A2B Express with numerous hubs and depots in the countries complements the pan-European GLS network. Country-specific knowledge is especially valuable given the sometimes challenging political and economic conditions in the region.

By joining forces with GLS, A2B Express is expanding its portfolio and makes it easier for customers to tap in to new markets.

GLS and A2B Express work closely together to coordinate customs clearance. As the two companies have linked their IT systems, it is possible to seamlessly track parcels and smoothly process service queries.

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 footprint: good progress

Thanks to environmental activities in all its divisions, GLS improved its eco footprint 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
ThinkSocial