News

With the extension of the depot in Kraków and a new site in Brodnica, GLS Poland strengthens its network.

Extension in Kraków

In Kraków GLS has expanded its depot by 2973 square meters of warehouse and 209 m2 of office space. There are 94 new loading and 6 unloading gates. The location is ideally connected to main roads and further strengthens GLS Poland’s network in the region.

New depot in Brodnica

The new depot in the North Central Poland started operations in time for the autumn and Christmas period. Brodnica is situated near the national road number 15, which leads directly to the regional GLS hub in Bydgoszcz.

The GLS-owned site in Brodnica is the parcel service provider’s 36th depot in Poland. The building is tailor-made for the needs of GLS. It has 144,52 square meters of office space, 697,48 square meters of warehouse space. Furthermore, it offers three reloading gates for trucks and 24 courier gates for delivery vans. About 2100 parcels will be handled daily.

More about the GLS network

GLS Poland’s work schedule for Christmas and New Year’s Eve provides you with information and helps you to plan your shipments.

Opening hours and hotline availability

Parcel shipment

If you have any questions or comments, please contact your local GLS Customer Service.

The new InfoCourierService provides delivery information for recipients. It also enables them to directly contact the delivery driver to coordinate delivery details.

It couldn’t be easier: The sender of a parcel – for example an online shop – books the new service and sends the recipient’s phone number to GLS. On the day of the parcel’s delivery, an SMS is sent to the recipient, announcing the upcoming delivery. If the shipment is a cash on delivery parcel, the SMS also informs the customer of the amount to be paid upon delivery.

The SMS also transmits the cell phone number of the respective delivery driver. So, if the recipient wishes to arrange details with the delivery driver, they can make direct contact. There is no need to call the sender or the GLS hotline.

Beneficial for all parties involved

On request, the delivery driver can for example deliver the parcel to a certain neighbour if nobody will be at home to accept it. The courier can also contact the recipient should he or she have a problem with the delivery – maybe because of an incomplete address.

As a result, the InfoCourierService will in many cases shorten the delivery time. It will reduce the number of enquiries sent to senders’ customers’ service. And it will contribute to the satisfaction of online shoppers.

Fake online shops are a common scam. They usually require payment in advance and do not deliver the ordered goods. A fake shop is typically online just for a short time.

Online shoppers should consider the following tips:

• pay attention to the address of the website.
• check the name of the store in a search engine to find reviews.
• verify the company's RGON, NIP and KRS database as well as the registered office address with help of a search engine. These information can be found in the footer at the bottom of the website.
• compare prices and be sceptical when products are offered very cheaply.

Please be cautious of scams, especially during the Christmas period.

Safety advice

Between 3 and 14 December 2018 Katowice will host the United Nations Summit (ONZ summit). This might lead to delays.

Due to the state security requirements, from November 25 to December 17 major changes within the city will be introduced. Due to the planned restrictions in pedestrian and road traffic, there will be considerable difficulties in delivering parcels in a large part of the Silesian agglomeration.

Undelivered parcels will be handed over to the recipients as soon as possible.

Sustainability certification based on international standards: EcoVadis has rewarded GLS with the Silver rating for its commitment to corporate social responsibility.

Transparency for GLS customers in respect of sustainability activities. To achieve this goal GLS took part in the independent EcoVadis certification programme for the second time in a row, achieving a Silver rating in August 2018.

Compared with the previous year, the Group improved its performance in all four categories, thus moving up from Bronze to Silver. As a result, the parcel company is amongst the top 21 per cent in the logistics sector – and even amongst the top 18 per cent when it comes to environmental issues. GLS comes in the top 12 per cent of all companies evaluated by EcoVadis.

Sustainability put to the test

EcoVadis evaluates a company’s sustainability management on the basis of 21 criteria across the four themes of environment, social, ethics and sustainable procurement. The criteria have been assigned different weightings in the final result. The evaluation is based on international standards such as the Global Reporting Initiative and the UN Global Compact.

When conducting its analysis, EcoVadis attaches equal importance to the strategy, actions and results of the management system across all four themes. The analysis also gives GLS an opportunity to perform targeted validation of its sustainability measures and improve them on an ongoing basis.

More about sustainability at GLS

GLS Poland informs customers and recipients that on Monday, 12th of November 2018 parcels will not be collected nor delivered.

All orders for this day will be completed during the next business day – meaning Tuesday, 13th of November 2018.

The GLS Group has acquired the parcel delivery company Dicom Canada and is thus entering the Canadian market.

Dicom Canada mainly provides business-to-business parcel services, as well as freight and logistics services. The company offers high quality services across Canada, focusing on the eastern Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec – where 57 percent of the country's GDP is generated.

Focused growth

GLS acquires Dicom Canada for a total price of C$ 360 million (about €238 million). The acquisition does not include Dicom’s US business. It is in line with GLS' strategy to grow through targeted and focused acquisitions to capture higher growth segments outside Europe. In the US, the GLS Group is present in eight states.

Dicom Canada operates a network of 28 depots and works with partner carriers across Canada to provide pan-Canadian logistics services. The company employs around 1,400 people directly. It will continue to be led by Rick Barnes, President, together with Dicom Canada’s existing management team.

To the press release

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GLS Poland detected unusual activities: criminals are sending out fake e-mails in the name of GLS.

The e-mails are send out by "GLS Polska" titled "Sprawdź status, abyśmy mogli kontynuować Twoje zamówienie" [Check the status for us to continue your order]. These e-mails are attempts to impersonate GLS Poland and to extort sensitive data.

GLS Poland has nothing to do with the messages and websites linked to. Recipients of such e-mails should not click on the included link or open an attached file in any format, but delete the e-mail and inform GLS about the fraud attempt.

Safety advice

Contact GLS

See fake e-mail example

This year, the biggest annual business charity run for people with amputations and motor disabilities in Poland is taking place for the seventh time. GLS Poland is the Business Run’s logistics partner and the main sponsor of the events in Gdańsk, Poznań and Kraków.

The Poland Business Run is a relay race with five players in each team. The distance for each is about 3.8 km. Last year, 20,353 competitors took part in the race and 1,651,197 zlotys were collected. The money raised will be used to support people with amputations: it is mainly used to buy prostheses and orthopedic devices. However, help is also provided with rehabilitation measures and psychological care. This year, the runners – including teams from GLS and transport partners – will meet in nine Polish cities on September 2nd.

Support for runners and those in need of help

GLS Poland supports the Poland Business Run for the third time, this time sponsoring the races in Gdańsk, Poznań and Kraków. Contestants and fans in these cities are invited to visit the GLS Fan Zone. Small competitions and other activities for children are just a part of the attractions prepared.

More about GLS Poland

Increased flexibility across borders: the international FlexDeliveryService is now available between 16 European countries.

GLS Poland has expanded the flexible parcel delivery to Great Britain. Senders can offer recipients in these countries a variety of delivery options to choose from – free of charge.

Benefits for Polish online shoppers

With the FlexDeliveryService, GLS informs recipients via e-mail about their upcoming parcel delivery – for domestic and international parcel shipments from 15 European countries. Shoppers receive an estimated delivery time frame and can choose between seven delivery options: among them, delivery to a new address and granting a drop off permission .

Two successful decades in parcel delivery: GLS Poland is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

It all started in 1998 in the city of Gadki as Szybka Paczka Sp. z.o.o. The young company soon became one of the “Big 4” in the Polish CEP market. Seven years later, it joined the GLS family as GLS Poland. Along with it came access to a Europe-wide parcel shipment network and a standardised range of products, services and technologies.

It only went up from there: more depots, more employees, more parcels – and more comfort for customers and recipients. The constant pursuit of the highest quality, efficiency and customer satisfaction that brought GLS Poland this far will also build its future. In this spirit, the company is celebrating its 20th birthday.

More about GLS Poland

General Logistics Systems B.V. has appointed Ivan Hofmann as CEO of GLS US Inc., with immediate effect. In this position Ivan Hofmann will oversee the GLS Group’s US activities.

Ivan Hofmann supports the GLS Group in expanding its business activities in the US. At the same time he will oversee the integration of GSO and Postal Express which were acquired in October 2016 and April 2017 respectively.

In his role, which will be part-time, Ivan Hofmann will report to Rico Back, CEO Royal Mail plc.

Veteran of the transportation industry

Ivan Hofmann has held various management positions in both sales and operations functions. In 1985 he joined Roadway Package Systems (RPS), now FedEx Ground, as Vice President of Operations, later becoming President and CEO. After the acquisition by FedEx he was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of FedEx Ground.

In 2004, he co-founded ETC & Associates, a transportation consulting firm. He also serves on several Boards of Directors, primarily for transportation related companies.

Dedicated to sports and to the community: GLS Poland is the main sponsor of the Lion Run, taking place near their headquarters in Poznań.

On June 3, more than 3.500 athletes participated in the Lion Run in Tarnowo Podgórne near Poznań. The event, organized by the Lion Running Association, offers challenges for many age groups. The main distance is a half-marathon, which is complemented by several runs over shorter distances.

Bringing people together

GLS Poland, as the main partner, took care of attractions for the whole family. In the special GLS zone there were numerous animations for the youngest, free cotton candy and interesting prizes. Hostesses distributed notification cards on the event area, entitling to receive parcels with company gadgets.

The main goal of the Lion Run is not sporting success, but bringing together sportspersons and spectators, young and old, residents and visitors. They can all enjoy the cosy atmosphere of the small town and a large selection of international food specialties.

More about GLS Poland

GLS strengthens its commitment to the most popular motorsport in Poland.

GLS is now an official partner of the FIM Speedway Grand Prix series and the brand new Monster Energy FIM Speedway of Nations. The later event takes place in Poland in June and replaces the former World Cup format. Three of the ten Speedway Grand Prix series events will take place in Polish cities.

At the races, the GLS logo will appear on advertising banners and screens, on walls during press conferences, and in event programmes. GLS will deliver the trophies for both of the finals and organize special attractions for the spectators.

Promoting Polands beloved pastime

Nationally, GLS is the new official partner of the PGE Ekstraliga for the 2018 and 2019 seasons. With its logos, GLS will be highly visible at the races. Additionally, the successful Polish National Speedway Team will be further supported throughout the year.

GLS is proud to be partner of virtually every top event in the sport and also of the first-class national team.

The new sites in Warsaw, Konin and Tarnów strengthen the network of GLS in Poland, raising the total number of depots to 35.

GLS Poland recently opened its biggest depot so far. With a total building area of 7,600 square meters, the site near Warsaw can process up to 80.000 parcels per day. Overall, the depot offers 120 courier gates, 40 dual-use gates and 16 unloading gates equipped with fast sorting infrastructure. Located in Wypędy near Warsaw, the new site is close to the Puchały junction on the S8 expressway and the A2 ring road. Line-hauls and delivery drivers have especially quick access to the capital as well as the northern and eastern part of the region.

Strategic investments

Also in April, GLS Poland opened new franchise depots in Konin and Tarnów. The depot in Konin lies in the vicinity of the A2 highway and handles about 3,500 parcels a day. It relieves the existing depots in Stryków, Poznań and Kalisz. After the depot in Leszno, it is the second site GLS recently opened in the Greater Poland region.

The depot in Tarnów (Lesser Poland) is conveniently located near the A4 highway and the route 73. It is equipped with a total of 13 gates for delivery vans and linehaul trucks. Almost 1,500 parcels can be handled here per day. Tarnów takes over tours from the depots in Cracow, Nowy Sącz and Rzeszów and thus optimizes the processes of pick-ups and deliveries.

With these three new sites, the parcel service provider significantly bolsters the capacities and shortening processes throughout the country.

More about the GLS network

Receiving parcels when not at home: GLS now offers a signature release authorisation for FlexDeliveryService parcels. The delivery driver will leave the parcel at an agreed location.

More flexibility: GLS expanded the delivery options for the FlexDeliveryService. The new signature release authorisation allows recipients who are not at home to choose a secure location somewhere around the house, such as a patio. Parcels can be delivered to that location without confirming the parcel acceptance with a signature on the handheld scanner of the delivery driver.

A simple process

With the FlexDeliveryService, recipients receive an e-mail at the beginning of the delivery process with now seven alternative delivery options – among them delivery to a ParcelShop or a different address. If they already know that nobody will be home and want to have their parcel deposited somewhere on their property, they can grant a signature release authorisation for the respective parcel. The recipient describes the desired drop-off location as precisely as possible. GLS will then deposit the parcel there.

Safe location necessary

The chosen place should be sheltered against improper access from third parties – an entrance gate for example is not a sufficient location. The drop-off point also has to offer protection from damage, e.g. from rain.

For a second delivery attempt, the signature release authorisation is also possible – via parcel redirection on the GLS Website. A second delivery attempt is made if the parcel could neither be delivered to the recipient nor to a neighbour or a GLS ParcelShop.

FlexDeliveryService

The GLS Group has published its latest sustainability report, giving a comprehensive overview on progress and challenges.

Economic considerations, environmental and climate responsibility and social issues are at the heart of the sustainability report. It presents developments in the 2015/16 and 2016/17 financial years under the title “ThinkGLS. ThinkResponsible”.

Compliant with GRI guidelines

GLS reports in accordance with the G4 guidelines published by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), which means, for example, carrying out a materiality analysis. Together with internal and external stakeholders, GLS thus identified the key areas for action in terms of sustainability.

Innovative urban logistics

First and foremost, GLS is working to minimise the ecological impacts of parcel transport. One key area in this regard is urban logistics, the aim being to ease the strain on urban infrastructures whilst reducing both emissions and noise. GLS city depots, coupled with e-bikes and electric vans, are helping to achieve this aim.

Responsible and committed

The report also covers the various forms of social commitment in different countries. These projects are often directly linked to parcel services: volunteering days, support for fund-raising campaigns, free transports for charitable organisations or sponsorships of sporting or cultural events.

To the sustainability report

More about the GLS Group

GLS Poland’s work schedule for Easter provides you with information and helps you to plan your shipments:

31st March (Holy Saturday)

On this day, only deliveries with SaturdayService are carried out.

No collections are made.

The hotline is available from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

2nd April (Easter Monday)

Bank holiday for all GLS depots and the hotline.

All parcels shipped on 30th March (Friday) will be delivered on Tuesday, 3rd April.

We would like to inform you that 30th March is also a bank holiday in countries such as: Germany, Denmark, Spain, Great Britain, Latvia, Portugal, Sweden and Slovakia.

2nd April is a bank holiday in the majority of European Union countries.

Plenty of success: 2017 has been an extraordinary year for GLS and the Polish Speedway National Team. Convinced by the team's commitment, GLS will continue its support in 2018.

GLS is proud to announce the renewal of its partnership with the Polish Speedway National Team. Last season, the team won on a regular basis. The highlight: claiming the World Cup title on home soil.

The season kicks off on May 1 with Poland vs. Australia in Piła. Many spectators are expected to support the home team for a perfect start. From June 6 to 8, the Speedway of Nations should not be missed. It replaces the Speedway World Cup and promises to be a stunning event.

This is the detailed schedule:

• 01.05. - Poland vs. Australia in Piła
• 12.05. - Speedway Grand Prix in Warsaw
• 13.05. - Poland vs. Denmark in Częstochowa
• 31.05. - Poland vs. Sweden in Poznań
• 08.-09.06. Speedway of Nations in Wrocław
• 30.06. - The Team Speedway Junior European Championship in Gniezno
• 25.08 - Speedway Grand Prix in Gorzów Wielkopolski
• 29.09. - Poland vs. Rest of the World in Chorzów
• 06.10 - Speedway Grand Prix in Toruń

Keep up the momentum

GLS will closely follow the journey of the speedway heroes this season hoping that the riders will repeat last year’s success. "By their commitment, their willingness to go ever further, they are an example for many young people" says Tomasz Kroll, Region Manager Poland at GLS. "That is why we want to continue this partnership”.

GLS Poland’s engagement for sports, culture and society