Christmastime is also parcel time. To make sure your parcel reaches its recipient on time, we have put together a few tips – for reliable and secure dispatch with GLS.

Most important: the dispatch deadlines. We recommend the following deadlines:

• No later than 20 December 2018 for parcel shipment within Romania
• No later than 18 December 2018 for parcel shipment to neighbouring European countries
• No later than 12 December 2018 for parcel shipment to other European countries

GLS Romania’s schedule for the upcoming holiday season is as follows:

Find the nearest GLS depot

From packaging tips to shipping prices

Sturdy packaging is very important when sending parcels. The parcels travel along conveyor belts in depots and are loaded onto various lorries and delivery vehicles. Here are a few important tips:

1. Use a sturdy cardboard box.

2. Fill it completely with padding.

3. Carefully seal the parcel with packing tape.

4. Do not use ribbons or other Christmas decorations that could get stuck on conveyor belts.

Secure packaging

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

More about the GLS Group

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.

GLS Romania’s work schedule for Easter provides you with useful information and helps you plan your shipments accordingly, so that they reach recipients in time.

National holiday schedule

During the Easter holidays, GLS Romania will be closed on the following days:

• Friday, April 6th (Good Friday)
• Monday, April 9th (Easter Monday)

No deliveries or pick-ups will be performed during these two non-working days and all GLS locations will be closed.

International holiday schedule

Across Europe, the bank holidays for all GLS locations are as follows:

• Friday, March 30th – catholic and protestant Good Friday in the following countries: Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.
• Monday, April 2nd – catholic and protestant Easter Monday in the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.
• Friday, April 6th – orthodox Good Friday in the following countries: Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia.
• Monday, April 9th – orthodox Easter Monday in the following countries: Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia.

International parcels will not be in transit during the non-working days.

Please plan your shipments and inform your partners accordingly.

GLS Romania wishes you a happy Easter!

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

The parcel service provider GLS Romania has won the Courier and Postal Services Company of the Year award. The award is based on a market survey conducted by GOVNET Romania among online stores.

GLS Romania has won the Courier and Postal Services Company of the Year award ahead of two other major industry competitors. The rankings for the Romanian Courier Business Awards were made following a survey among online stores.

Exceptional results and successful projects

The best Romanian companies of the courier and postal services industry in 2017 were awarded in a special ceremony in Bucharest. The annual event recognises companies that have achieved exceptional results and who realised successful projects during the year of 2017. The industry’s most important national and international companies participated.

More about GLS Romania

The GLS Group has acquired the Spanish express parcel delivery company Redyser Transporte.

With the acquisition of Redyser GLS Spain further enhances the domestic offering and strengthens GLS’ position as Spain’s second biggest express parcels network following the acquisition of ASM Transporte Urgente in June 2016.

Redyser predominantly serves the express parcels segment delivering around 14 million parcels annually. It operates through a network of over 200 agencies and franchises and 12 sites in Spain’s main cities.

Expanding the Spanish market

For a total consideration of €16.5 million, GLS acquired 100% of the shares in the Spanish parcel delivery company. In the year ended 31 December 2017, Redyser generated revenue of approximately €45 million. Redyser will be consolidated within the existing Spanish operations.

More about the GLS Group