Press releases

On 2 December 2023, GLS's Livorno Depot moved to a new, larger and more modern facility, which will enable it to better manage shipments and provide an even more timely service to customers in the area.

The new facility covers an area of 3,500 square metres, is equipped with five tippers and has five electric vehicle charging stations.

Here are the new references:

Address: Via Delle Colline 100, Collesalvetti, Zona Interporto Toscano, Quinta Strada angolo Terza strada - 57017 - LI
Telephone: 0586/860410
E-mail: li@gls-italy.com
Opening hours: Monday - Friday 8.30 -13/ 14.30 – 18.30

Delivered, at the Hub in Riano (RM), the first Volvo FH Electric truck to GLS Italy: an important step towards increasingly sustainable logistics.

In terms of energy efficiency, no technology currently available is comparable to that of an electric vehicle. This is why GLS Italia's decision to introduce the first fully electric heavy vehicle in its fleet, in addition to conventional and biofuel-powered vehicles, is particularly significant.

GLS relied on Volvo Trucks to take a decisive step towards the decarbonisation of transport, which began in 2020 with the electrification of the last mile and continued in 2022 with emissions offsetting programmes.

Recognisable by its new blue livery, the Volvo FH Electric is equipped with six batteries and hooks up a single-axle semi-trailer: its lighter weight and regenerative braking guarantee a range of up to 360 km. The new vehicle will be used to connect the Riano Hub with the San Lorenzo depot, located near the Tiburtina station and equipped with a fleet of zero-emission vehicles only. The vehicle will be recharged through a recharging station powered by energy from renewable sources.

"By 2030, we have committed to reducing CO2 emissions by 50 per cent. This is an ambitious target that can only be achieved by using different technologies. The alternative fuels available are biogas and HVO, but the heart of the strategy is electromobility: today it is electric vehicles, tomorrow we will have hydrogen fuel cells,' said Giovanni Dattoli, Managing Director of Volvo Trucks Italia. "We do our part, but the commitment of customers like GLS and their customers, as well as politics and institutions, is needed."

Klaus Schädle, Group Area Managing Director of GLS, also confirms Giovanni Dattoli's words: "Sustainability is one of the pillars of our strategy, and in our system long distance vehicles produce about 50% of our CO2 emissions. We are excited to receive this first electric vehicle from Volvo Trucks, which will serve as a test to see how and how much we can positively impact the future. As a transportation company, we have a strong sense of responsibility to our planet and our children. This is why we need forward-looking suppliers like Newexpress, who strongly believe in this project and are investing with us in new mobility technologies".

For further information, please contact:
Francesco Sonzogni
francesco.sonzogni@volvo.com

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 fastchanging 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.

From 7 to 10 November, the Rimini Exhibition Centre will host Ecomondo, a leading international trade fair for the green and circular economy.

Sustainability is one of the core values of GLS's corporate strategy, which is why the company has decided to be present at all four days of the trade fair.

You will find us in Hall A7, Stand No. 407, West Entrance.

Ecomondo, an ecosystem of ecological transition, is the meeting point and dialogue between industries, stakeholders, policy makers, opinion leaders, local authorities and gathers and systematises the key elements that define the development strategies of the European Union's environmental policy.

It is the international reference event in Europe and the Mediterranean basin for technologies, services and industrial solutions in the green and circular economy sectors. A hub for research and innovation, it hosts the leading companies in services, solutions and technologies in the environmental sector: from water management to waste disposal, from textiles to bioenergy, from soil management and protection to transport, agriculture and sustainable cities.

The event will organise, promote digital and non-digital meetings throughout the year, opportunities to address issues related to the status of implementation of the PNRR flagship projects and the state of adoption of the circular economy in the main industrial supply chains as well as the ecological restoration and regeneration of soils and the hydrosphere, coastlines and cities.

For more information on dates and times and to discover all the exhibitors and content that will be covered at the fair, visit the Ecomondo website: https://www.ecomondo.com

On 28 October 2023, GLS's Florence Depot moved to a new, larger and more modern facility, which will enable it to better manage shipments and provide an even more timely service to customers in the Florence and Prato area.

The warehouse at the new Depot covers 4,375 square metres, 441 square metres of which are allocated to offices.

The pack master of the new facility will allow the handling of 3,000 parcels per hour.

The Florence Depot will deliver thanks to a fleet of 90 vehicles.

In addition, the facility is equipped with five tipping points for trucks, 51 van and 11 for box trucks, and has electric charging stations for cars and vans.

Here are the new references:
Address: Via Castronella, 178 – 50013 – Campi Bisenzio (FI)
Telephone: +39 055 098 6402
E-mail: firenze@gls-italy.com

On Thursday, 28 September 2023, at Cariplo Factory in Milan, the Netcomm AWARD 2023 ceremony took place, an award that Netcomm assigns to the best e-commerce realities that have distinguished themselves for excellence and innovation.

The evening, which was also streamed live on the Netcomm Award website and on Netcomm's social channels, was hosted by Mario Moroni, presenter and digital entrepreneur, and Roberto Liscia, President of Netcomm.

GLS also took part in the Netcomm AWARD 2023 ceremony as Gold Sponsor. Elisa Piazzola, Chief Commercial Officer of GLS Italy and member of the jury for this edition of the Awards, took the stage to present the winners of the "Logistics & Packaging" and "Sustainability" categories.

The winners awarded by GLS were:

• for the 'Logistics & Packaging' category: Atida eFarma for having created a sales project that synergistically combines the convenience of online shopping with the expertise and professionalism of specialists in order to improve people's quality of life by offering fast shipping worldwide.
• for the 'Sustainability' category: Veepee, for having developed a second-hand project that meets the needs of both environmentally aware brands and customers looking for conscious and responsible purchases, and Chitè Lingerie, born from an entirely Italian idea, which sees sustainability, craftsmanship and customisation of products and processes as fundamental principles on which its business model is based.

Instead, it is Golden Goose that is the overall winner of the Netcomm AWARD 2023 for its ability to offer an extraordinary online shopping experience that involves the customer in the co-creation of the product and demonstrates an ongoing commitment to innovation, sustainability and continuous improvement.

Oude Meer, September 28, 2023 – 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, Italy's leading express courier player, took part in the Junior Enterprises 2023 World Conference in Florence from 21 to 24 September. Organised by Junior Enterprises Italy, the conference was an opportunity for more than 500 young students from the confederations of different countries around the world - Germany, Portugal, Tunisia, Brazil, Australia and Venezuela - to network with important companies.

This year's theme, 'Renaissance of the Digital Age', explored fundamental themes of our time: Innovation, Globalisation, Corporate Culture and Connections.

On Friday, 22 September, in a dedicated panel, GLS had the opportunity to tell the young people present how these indispensable pillars are applied within their own company. The young participants were also actively involved through a hackathon and a workshop entitled: GLS, a "Parcel to People" company.

During the workshop, Elisa Piazzola, GLS's Chief Commercial Officer, Luca Mezzana, Director Strategy, Transformation and Digital, and Mauro Abeni, Director IT, illustrated to the participants the reality of GLS and explained what it means to be a "People" company that puts people at the centre and is committed on a daily basis to finding technological and innovative solutions that meet the needs of its customers.

This was followed in the afternoon by the Company Fair and Fast Interviews in which the GLS HR team made itself available for individual interviews with young talents interested in learning more about the company and exploring possible career opportunities.

On 1 July 2023, the GLS Head Office in Belluno will move to a new, larger and more modern facility, which will enable it to better manage shipments and provide an even more timely service to customers in the area thanks to a widespread presence throughout the territory.

The Depot covers a total area of 5,440 square metres, with a warehouse of 1,800 square metres, including office and tipping areas, and a yard of 3,640 square metres, and is equipped with LED lighting.

The Belluno site will make deliveries thanks to 30 last mile vehicles.

In addition, the facility is equipped with 4 charging points for vans and electric vans, 2 charging points for electric cars, and is characterised by a high level of security, guaranteed by a state-of-the-art burglar alarm.

Below are the new references:

Address: Via degli Agricoltori, 16 - 32100 Belluno
Telephone: +39 0437 930624
E-mail: belluno@gls-italy.com
Opening hours:
Mon-Fri 8.30-13.00 / 14.30-18.30
Saturdays (Depot stop service only) 8.30 a.m. - 12.00 noon

On 1 July 2023, the GLS Head Office in Belluno will move to a new, larger and more modern facility, which will enable it to better manage shipments and provide an even more timely service to customers in the area thanks to a widespread presence throughout the territory.

The Depot covers a total area of 5,440 square metres, with a warehouse of 1,800 square metres, including office and tipping areas, and a yard of 3,640 square metres, and is equipped with LED lighting.

The Belluno site will make deliveries thanks to 30 last mile vehicles.

In addition, the facility is equipped with 4 charging points for vans and electric vans, 2 charging points for electric cars, and is characterised by a high level of security, guaranteed by a state-of-the-art burglar alarm.

Below are the new references:

Address: Via degli Agricoltori, 16 - 32100 Belluno
Telephone: +39 0437 930624
E-mail: belluno@gls-italy.com
Opening hours:
Mon-Fri 8.30-13.00 / 14.30-18.30
Saturdays (Depot stop service only) 8.30 a.m. - 12.00 noon

Milan, 28 June 2023 – GLS Italy, Italy's leading express courier player, has inaugurated its new International Hub in Sordio, which covers an area of approximately 27,000 m2 and has a covered area of 12,034 m2 divided between offices, warehouse and ancillary facilities.

This morning, the ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in the presence of Salvatore Iesce, Mayor of Sordio, Klaus Schädle, Group Area Managing Director of GLS, and Agostino Emanuele, Country Manager Italy of VGP, a pan-European company in the real estate sector that builds and supplies high-quality logistics and semi-industrial parks.

With the new Hub, GLS aims to acquire an increasingly central role at the side of Italian companies by supporting them with efficient and quality services in international trade.

For this reason, the company has made a significant investment of 14 million euros, 8 of which have been earmarked to equip the Hub with a high standard of technology and automation that will allow it to sort more than 21,000 parcels per hour.

The sorting centre is also strategically located thanks to the excellent road connections present: only 500 metres from the Vizzolo Predabissi exit of the A58 motorway, which connects Milan, Brescia and Bergamo, and close to the A1 motorway, one of the main arteries of the Po Valley towards Bologna.

Finally, the centre was built with a special focus on sustainability and energy containment issues. In fact, thanks to the many measures adopted, including rainwater recovery and automatic light sensors, the building has been awarded Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREAAM) Very Good environmental certification.

"We are particularly proud to have completed this project, which will position us alongside the entrepreneurial fabric of Lombardy and beyond,' comments Klaus Schädle, Group Area Managing Director of GLS. 'In recent years we have witnessed an explosion in international volumes, also due to the ever-increasing popularity of Made in Italy products abroad, and for this reason the new Hub will play a key role within our broader international strategy that sees us increasingly present alongside companies that are expanding their business beyond national borders.

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.

Amsterdam, 8 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.

Milan, 1st June 2023 – GLS Italy, Italy's leading express courier, acquires 100% of the share capital of ProntoPacco, one of Italy's largest networks of pick-up and drop-off points. As is known, since April 2022 the two companies had already entered into a partnership for the entry of ProntoPacco's member shops into the GLS Parcel Shop network.

The acquisition - which will bring as a dowry more than 6,000 shops throughout Italy, enabled for pick-up and drop-off - will allow GLS Italy to further increase its position in the B2C market, to meet the requests of e-commerce players and to streamline last-mile shipping processes, offering a high-quality, flexible and sustainable service.

The acquisition of ProntoPacco is in line with GLS' strategy of providing an increasingly distinctive experience for its private users through Out Of Home (OOH): ProntoPacco will in fact generate a lot of benefits for customers and receivers using GLS' extensive and widespread network of Parcel Shops - pick-up and drop-off points - making the management of their shipments and returns even more convenient, flexible and digital.

ProntoPacco will remain an open network and will continue to provide services to other couriers or players in last-mile shipping.

"This acquisition allows us to consolidate our presence in high-potential market such as B2C, which we believe can grow at considerable rates in the coming years given the continuous development of e-commerce market, which has recorded a +5% increase in products in 2022" comments Klaus Schädle, Group Area Managing Director of GLS. "Thanks to the capillarity of the ProntoPacco network and the digital solutions offered for the choice of delivery at pick-up points, in fact, we will have the opportunity to present ourselves as a structured partner for eCommerce customers”.

In addition, GLS is also working on offering to consumers the possibility of purchasing their shipments online: through a dedicated web portal, it will be possible to purchase the GLS service and take advantage of the network of the nearest Parcel Shops for sending the parcel. GLS Italy will thus also be able to position its service in the C2C market, driven by the growth of second-hand goods.

"This acquisition represents an important step forward for ProntoPacco and we are excited to join the GLS family. Our company has always placed the utmost emphasis on the quality of service provided to our customers, and the union with GLS Italy will allow us to maintain and further strengthen this commitment." This is stated by Luciano Colantuono among the founders of ProntoPacco. "With GLS Italy," he continues, "we will be able to exploit significant synergies, combining our expertise and resources to offer increasingly efficient, innovative and cost-effective delivery solutions. We are confident that, thanks to GLS Italy, we will be able to reach new goals and meet the evolving needs of users, providing added value in the delivery landscape in Italy. We are grateful for the trust placed in us and look forward to working closely with the GLS Italy team to achieve our common goals. This acquisition" he concludes "marks an exciting new chapter for ProntoPacco, and we are determined to make a difference in the delivery by offering outstanding services and cutting-edge solutions”.

About GLS Group

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 more than 860 million parcels across the markets.

About Pronto Pacco

ProntoPacco is the online service that offers the opportunity to have eCommerce purchases delivered to a network of retail businesses (Pronto Pacco Points). ProntoPacco was created in 2014 from the idea of making it easier to manage the delivery of online purchases, sending parcels and returns. The process is entirely managed through the dedicated web portal www.prontopacco.it, which provides pickup points such as bars, newsstands and stores located throughout Italy. ProntoPacco currently has more than 6,000 PUDOs throughout Italy. The company's Mission is to make package delivery more flexible for those who buy on the Internet and do not have the possibility of having them delivered to their homes offering an effective solution for the user. The benefits also extend to the Collection Points because you will be able to offer and receive benefits from both their usual customers and new ones. ProntoPacco is the only service that allows the coffee shop, store or stationery store to always extend the flow of people coming to the shop and gain more.

Milan, 13 April 2023 – GLS Italy, Italy's leading express courier player, is back in the saddle, confirming its role as official sponsor of the 106th edition of the iconic 'Pink Race' for the second year running.

In fact, the company decided to cycle alongside the world's best cyclists through the 3,489.2 km starting from the Costa dei Trabocchi, in Abruzzo, and finishing in Rome, in the splendid setting of the Imperial Forums.

The Giro d'Italia is one of the three most important and prestigious stage road cycling races on the international calendar, together with the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España. A sporting event organised by RCS Sport lasting three weeks, starting, this year, on 6 May from Abruzzo and finishing on 28 May in Rome, when the riders will have completed the 21 demanding stages.

"We have firmly confirmed our support for the prestigious 'Pink Race' because we believe there is a strong affinity with the values of sustainability, quality, determination, and team spirit that underpin the daily work of our company and our people," commented Elisa Piazzola, Chief Commercial Officer of GLS - Moreover, thanks to GLS's more than 160 offices and 13 sorting centres, we are an extremely widespread company throughout Italy, and the Giro d'Italia is the perfect opportunity to be even closer to all those territories and communities touched by the 21 stages of the race".

"For the second year in a row, GLS will support the Giro d'Italia, which is among the most engaging and popular sporting events among the public," comments Matteo Mursia, Chief Revenue Officer of RCS Sport. "A choice that gives us great pleasure and that underlines the profitable collaboration relationship with an international Partner that is increasingly close to the world of cycling".

About GLS Group

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 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.

Milano, 21st March 2023 – GLS Italy, Italy's leading express courier player, has decided to "run" with the 21st edition of the Milano Marathon. In fact, the company will be Official Sponsor of one of the most important international running events.

GLS will be present with a stand at MiCo at the Milano Running Festival from 30 March to 1 April and, on 2 April, with a reserved space at the Giardini Montanelli.

For GLS, participation in this event is an opportunity for visibility, but above all it offers the company the chance to involve employees and customers, who together will take part in the 2023 Milan Marathon and relay race.

"We are proud to be able to be a partner of this prestigious event which, over the years, has carved out a growing importance for itself on the international running scene," comments Elisa Piazzola, Chief Commercial Officer of GLS. "We strongly believe in this initiative and we are sure that it will be an important day of sport and solidarity.

About GLS Group

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 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.

Milan, 20 March 2023 – GLS Italy, Italy's leading express courier player, inaugurated its new sorting centre in Florence.

The new centre is strategically located a few minutes from the entrance of the A1 motorway Calenzano - Sesto Fiorentino, in the centre of a dynamic area with a large workforce.

The Hub is part of a new subdivision in the municipality of Campi Bisenzio (FI), including not only the construction of new buildings for production purposes, but also the construction of new connecting roads, car parks, and green areas. The lot is about 21,000 m2, 8,400 m2 of which are warehouses, of which about 1,000 m2 are allocated to offices and service rooms for handling personnel, located on two levels. In addition, the Hub is equipped with 51 tippers for trucks and a quay for 7 vans. The facility is also equipped with a photovoltaic system and a LED lighting system, and electricity consumption measurement units have been installed for macro-areas.

The new sorting centre will play a strategic role in the entire central Italy area, working closely with more than 21 Depots divided between Tuscany, Umbria, Sardinia and Liguria. This new hub will handle about 100,000 parcels/day with 150 line vehicles, also thanks to a major investment in automation.

In fact, the Hub is equipped with a state-of-the-art automated parcel sorting system using 54 sorting bays and a technical parcel exit bay. The system guarantees a throughput of 8,000 pph thanks to a 5-sided parcel reading tunnel, weight and volume detection.

Alessandro Vagaggini, GLS's Chief Operating Officer, confirms: "We are investing heavily in Italy because this country plays a fundamental role in the broader European context for our company. This investment, in addition to those made for the new centres in Sordio, Parma and Padua, is aimed at consolidating our position as a partner of excellence alongside the Italian business fabric and ensuring an increasingly widespread and excellent service for our customers in central Italy.”

About GLS

The GLS Group offers reliable and high-quality shipping services to customers in more than 41 countries, integrating express courier and freight services. Thanks to its national and international distribution network and its strong local market knowledge, GLS offers its customers flexible and personal services. With a focus on what matters most - the customer - GLS is present in almost all European countries and also operates through wholly-owned subsidiaries in Canada and on the west coast of the USA. GLS has 88 central and regional sorting centres and about 1,600 depots, supported by about 35,000 last-mile vehicles and about 4,600 long-distance vehicles. The way in which GLS actively manages its network and connects its markets provides the company with the agility and flexibility to adapt to changing industry
conditions. In the financial year 2020/21 GLS achieved a record turnover of EUR 4.5 billion and transported 840 million parcels, despite global challenges.

Consorzio Netcomm, in collaboration with The European House-Ambrosetti, conducted a study on the role and contribution of Digital Retail E-Commerce to Italy's growth.

The results of the study, of which GLS Italy was a sponsor, were presented on 18 January 2023 in Rome.

Below are the 10 most important points of the report.

1. The e-commerce and digital retail value network in Italy is a complex and articulated supply chain that involves numerous sectors from upstream to downstream, both in the online sales phase and in further services that support the network's activities.

2. The online sales macro-aggregate in Italy reached a turnover of almost 41 billion Euro in 2020, growing by an average of 13.1% per year since 2016, employing about 175 thousand workers (+7.6% per year since 2016).

3. The macro-aggregate of services supporting e-commerce and digital retail in Italy reached a turnover of approximately €27 billion in 2020, growing by an average of 13.6% per year since 2016, involving approximately 203 thousand workers (+15.9% average per year since 2016).

4. Overall, in 2020 the e-commerce and digital retail value network in Italy generated revenues of almost 68 billion Euro and employed about 378 thousand workers.

5. At an aggregate level, the entire e-commerce and digital retail value network in Italy activates development and employment and favours the increase of productivity and competitiveness of enterprises. In fact, it is the first sector in terms of increase of its relative weight on the total turnover of Italian private enterprises and accounts for 40.6% of the turnover growth of total private sector economic activities over the last 5 years.

6. For every 100 Euro invested in the extended e-commerce and digital retail chain in Italy, 148 are generated in the rest of the economy and, at the same time, the employment multiplier of the extended e-commerce and digital retail chain in Italy is 2.41.

7. The 2022 survey of enterprises indicates that entry into e-commerce for B2B and B2C operators is mainly motivated by the desire to develop a more direct relationship with customers (current and prospects) and the possibility to offer a more complete customer experience.

8. The main areas of future investment by survey respondent companies active in B2B and B2C e-commerce concern the development of new digital marketing solutions and the improvement of the user experience, in continuity with what has been undertaken in recent years to strengthen their presence on the online channel.

9. The lack of skills in the workforce and the efficiency of the logistic-distribution system of the products are the areas that most concern the companies responding to the survey: in this perspective, the company scouting of talents is seen as a useful tool to find the professionals required by both sectors (B2B and B2C), including Data Engineer for B2B and SEO Specialist for B2C.

10. The study identified 3 areas of proposals to support the development of the extended e-commerce supply chain in Italy: policies for the development of the "commerce industry", upgrading digital skills and technologies and strengthening digital export.

On the occasion of the presentation of the results of the study, a round table was organised in which Elisa Piazzola, Chief Commercial Officer of GLS, also spoke about process and service innovation in the Logistics and Distribution sector, and GLS's concrete actions in the area of sustainability, a topic that constitutes a fundamental value for the entire supply chain.