Dr. Karl Pfaff will be appointed as GLS Group CEO effective October 01, 2023. He will take over from Martin Seidenberg, who has been appointed as Group CEO of IDS plc in August 2023.

With the succession of Dr. Pfaff GLS continues to build on GLS experienced leadership.Dr. Pfaff has a proven track record in international logistics. He joined GLS in 2014 after working for Lufthansa Group and Bain & Company. Dr. Pfaff held various positions in strategy, sales and operational management at GLS before he was appointed as CEO of GLS Germany in 2020 and became member of the GLS Group Executive Team. Currently, Dr. Pfaff is Group Area Managing Director responsible for Germany and BeNeLux.

Commenting on his successor, Martin Seidenberg says

:"I am delighted to appoint Karl as Group CEO of GLS. Under Karl’s leadership, GLS Germany has grown significantly in revenue and profitability. He managed GLS’ transition to a highly customer centric B2B and B2C parcel network while successfully navigating the company through the turbulent times of the pandemic, strong inflation and international economic and political challenges. Karl has significantly contributed to the ongoing group wide digital transformation and to making GLS a more sustainable company."

Commenting on his appointment, Dr. Pfaff said:

“It is a privilege to be appointed to lead GLS Group. GLS is an exceptional business with great potential, outstanding people and a strong brand. We will remain focused on quality and profitable growth in the current challenging macro-economic environment. Through continued investment in our people, digital excellence and quality, we want to strengthen the foundation for outstanding customer experience.”

About GLS

GLS Group is one of the largest self-reliant parcel services providers in Europe, with a strong local presence in almost all countries across the continent. It also operates through wholly-owned subsidiaries in Canada and on the USA’s West Coast within one GLS network. This allows GLS to seamlessly connect its customers and communities with millions of parcels and stories every day. GLS is proactive regarding network management, connecting its markets flexibly and agilely to respond to their fast-changing and dynamic nature. The company takes pride in providing its customers across about 40 countries with high-quality service that best suits their needs. The GLS network consists of over 120 hubs and more than 1,600 depots, supported by approximately 35,000 final-mile delivery vehicles and 4,700 long-distance trucks. This offers network resilience, superior flexibility, and extended reach. In 2022/23, GLS generated record revenues of 5.4 billion euros and delivered 862 million parcels across the markets.

• GLS acquires Altimax Courier, an important transportation player in Canada, as part of the strategy to further expand its footprint.
• The move strengthens GLS Canada’s integrated parcel and freight and freight player position.

Amsterdam, 7 June 2023 – GLS, a leading parcel provider, announces the acquisition of Altimax Courier, a prominent air and ground service provider in Canada. This strategic move aligns with GLS' commitment to expanding its footprint and enhancing its position in the Canadian market.

With the integration of Altimax Courier, Canadian customers will benefit from expanded coverage and the strengthened capabilities of an experienced integrated parcel and freight player. The addition of Altimax Courier's network will complement GLS Canada's existing infrastructure, expanding it to a total of 65 terminals across the country, and providing high-quality services to a broader customer base.

This acquisition marks another milestone in GLS’ growth strategy in Canada, following the successful integration of Rosenau Transport in 2021, and Dicom in 2018.

Rick Barnes, President GLS Canada, stated: “It is with much excitement that we welcome the entire Altimax Courier team to GLS Canada. Altimax Courier has been our long-standing partner for the past 17 years. We have always appreciated their exceptional commitment to quality throughout the Atlantic Provinces, contributing to their strong reputation in the industry”.

Wes Penwarden, President of Altimax Courier, expressed his satisfaction with the acquisition: "I am very happy about this transaction, as it marks a new chapter in our history by becoming part of a fantastic international network. This is an exciting day for our employees, clients, and partners”. GLS is confident that the acquisition of Altimax Courier will further enhance its ability to meet the growing demands of the Canadian market, while ensuring that customers continue to receive exceptional service and support.

About GLS
GLS Group is one of the largest self-reliant parcel services providers in Europe, with a strong local presence in almost all countries across the continent. It also operates through wholly-owned subsidiaries in Canada and on the USA’s West Coast within one GLS network. This allows GLS to seamlessly connect its customers and communities with millions of parcels and stories every day. GLS is proactive regarding network management, connecting its markets flexibly and agilely to respond to their fast-changing and dynamic nature. The company takes pride in providing its customers across about 40 countries with high-quality service that best suits their needs. The GLS network consists of over 120 hubs and more than 1,600 depots, supported by approximately 35,000 final-mile delivery vehicles and 4,700 long-distance trucks. This offers network resilience, superior flexibility, and extended reach. In 2022/23, GLS generated record revenues of 5.4 billion euros and delivered 862 million parcels across the markets.

About Altimax

Altimax Courier (2006) Ltd. is an important private Atlantic Canadian transportation company that was founded in 2000 by the Keating Group of Companies. In 2002, Wes Penwarden joined the Altimax leadership team expanding the company’s reach and diversifying its operations. Altimax provides both air and ground services; it is well-regarded for its exceptional ability to tailor its services to successfully meet the logistics and transportation needs of its clients. Altimax is committed to quality and customer service.

• GLS announces expansion into Serbia as part of its goal to expand its footprint.
• The expansion further strengthens the company’s position in Eastern Europe.
• It allows GLS to capture significant growth opportunities due to a major e-commerce boom in the country.
• Serbian customers across the country can benefit from GLS’ wide range of high-quality services.

Amsterdam, 19 April 2023 – GLS, a leading parcel service provider, announces its expansion into Serbia. The move is part of the company’s goal to further expand its footprint and strengthens its position in Eastern Europe.Serbia continues to experience a major boom in e-commerce, with a growing need in the region for a wider range of delivery options. Through its strong, international network, GLS offers a reliable logistics alternative to the market, providing high quality services already appreciated by more than 250,000 customers in Europe and North America.Senders and receivers in Serbia can benefit from GLS’ renowned and convenient solutions such as FlexDeliveryServices, which makes it easy for the recipient to adapt the parcel delivery to his needs. With its central hub in Belgrade and three depots in major cities, Novi Sad, Niš and Kragujevac, GLS now delivers parcels to every address in Serbia and can connect its customers to international locations.Gergely Farkas, Area Manager for the East Europe Region, said: "With this expansion into Serbia, we strengthen our presence in the Eastern European region and aim to foster growth opportunities. We truly believe that our customers in Serbia will benefit from a new reliable logistics alternative in their market and the same high-quality service for which GLS is renowned.”

About GLS
GLS Group is one of the largest self-reliant parcel services providers in Europe, with a strong local presence in almost all countries across the continent. It also operates through wholly-owned subsidiaries in Canada and on the USA’s West Coast within one GLS network. This allows GLS to seamlessly connect its customers and communities with millions of parcels and stories every day. GLS is proactive regarding network management, connecting its markets flexibly and agilely to respond to their fast-changing and dynamic nature. The company takes pride in providing its customers across about 40 countries with high-quality service that best suits their needs. The GLS network consists of over 120 hubs and more than 1,600 depots, supported by over 37,000 final-mile delivery vehicles and 4,500 long-distance trucks. This offers network resilience, superior flexibility, and extended reach. In 2021/22, GLS generated record revenues of 5 billion euros and delivered 870 million parcels across the markets.