As a leading European logistics service provider, the GLS Group is fully aware of its responsibility towards the environment and society. GLS approaches sustainability in a holistic way, taking into account the social, ecological and economic aspects of social responsibility. These aspects come together in our ThinkResponsible program, divided into ThinkGreen, ThinkSocial and ThinkQuality.
This means providing excellence in logistics for customers and job-security for employees, both going hand in hand. With its solutions GLS also contributes to mobility and the reliable supply of goods, which are the backbone of economy.
It is the Group’s objective to achieve sustainable economic success in accordance with the protection of the environment for future generations. GLS also considers itself committed to the society in and for which it operates.
The protection of our environment is an important principle at GLS and is put into practice by employees throughout Europe on a daily basis. In 2008, GLS launched the environmental project ThinkGreen to coordinate and actively promote the various activities within the GLS Group.
Environmentally conscious ideas and actions are reflected in all parts of the company, from route planning to buildings and individual workplaces. All GLS European companies have a local environmental representative. This person is responsible for the implementation of the environmental protection measures which apply throughout the Group.
GLS regularly records and monitors its progress in environmental protection. Since 2008/2009, we have been assessing the ecological footprint of the entire group, collecting data on emissions, consumption of raw materials and waste disposal. In the current sustainability report, GLS has included data on emissions development. The method used to calculate emissions complies with the ISO 14064-1 standard and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, which was verified in July 2011. GLS calculates the CO2 emissions per parcel on the basis of the ecological footprint.
The GLS environmental management system implements the measures devised under the ThinkGreen initiative. In addition, the system helps to achieve the objectives set. In 2011, the environmental management system was certified in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and Austria for the first time in accordance with the ISO 14001 standard. Since then, all GLS companies have been certified.
GLS takes targeted measures to make its parcel activities more environmentally friendly. The aim is to use resources as efficiently as possible and optimise processes.
GLS is working to increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The entire fleet is gradually being replaced by more environmentally friendly models. This concerns both the vehicles of subcontractors and company vehicles.
GLS uses modern planning software to improve operational processes and transport procedures. Through optimised route planning, transport routes are made as short as possible.
GLS builds in an environmentally friendly way and explicitly takes the environmental aspects into account when building new and replacement buildings and extensions. Where possible GLS uses rainwater collection systems, solar panels, recyclable building materials and heating with a heat pump.
GLS improves almost all of its processes to make them more environmentally friendly. For example, in a large part of Europe GLS switched to digital invoices, route lists and receipt confirmations. With video conferences, GLS can reduce the number of business trips.
The people who work at and for GLS have different ethnic backgrounds, cultures, religions and beliefs. Appreciation, respect and understanding are important principles for the Group when dealing with employees and partners. Intensive communication with all who make the last mile for GLS when picking up and delivering parcels is an essential part of the cooperation.
The development of our employees is a crucial part of the GLS strategy, with which the Group aims to ensure long-term success for the company and its employees.
In addition, management and employees attach importance to helping people in need. Throughout Europe, GLS companies support carefully selected initiatives in their social environment, both through direct sponsorship and by offering free transport services.
GLS is committed to the training and development of the next generation. Young people receive comprehensive and practice-oriented vocational training. Furthermore, the GLS Group offers its employees the opportunity to develop professionally and, if possible, to take up managerial positions.
GLS uses its country-specific networks to support carefully selected initiatives in each society. The GLS subsidiaries support various charities with national and regional activities. For example, charitable organisations for children are offered free parcel transport and foundations for mentally or physically handicapped people are sponsored. On a local level, many GLS depots give financial support to (nursery) schools, hospitals, hospices and other voluntary organisations.
Since 2012, the GLS Group is the official logistics partner of the European Film Academy and takes care of transport for the European Film Awards. GLS Austria supports the LET'S CEE Film Festival in Vienna. GLS Germany is the logistics partner of the Deutsche Filmakademie and works for the Deutscher Filmpreis and for FIRST STEPS, a film award for newcomers.
GLS Belgium sponsors the Belgian football team and links this to social involvement. Employees, partners and people with disabilities are invited to every home match of the team. In many countries, GLS depots support local sports clubs.
Our quality standards are not limited to transport services, but are interwoven into all business systems and processes. These high requirements and the increasing complexity have led GLS to develop a quality management system in line with ISO 9001:2015. It enables GLS to guarantee seamless internal processes and stable quality with regard to our services.
GLS guarantees, checks and improves quality and sustainability with a pan-European quality and environmental management system. It is certified to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 by DEKRA, one of the largest and highly respected international providers of management system certifications. With the quality management system GLS fulfils high, internationally recognised standards.
European GLS-systems monitor every step in the process. Each day over 20 million registrations follow the 1,7 milllion shipped consignments. An extensive data and information management systeem is therefore essential and constitutes an important pillar in our partnership and trust. Other components of our quality control are a well organised customer service, regular customer surveys and special training programmes.
Niet alle CO2-uitstoot is te vermijden. GLS compenseert daarom haar volledige uitstoot, via de Climate Neutral Group, grotendeels met projecten die voorzien zijn van een Gold Standard-certificering. Om aan een dergelijke certificering te voldoen zijn lokale partijen bij deze projecten betrokken en leveren de projecten een duidelijke duurzame bijdrage aan de lokale community. Voor haar CO2 com-pensatie steunt GLS daarnaast ook duurzame bosprojecten in Nederland via de stichting Trees For All.