ABX Belgium Distribution, acquired by GLS in December 2006, has re-branded to GLS BelgiumDistribution as part of its integration into the European parcels group and ongoing modernisation.
“The rebranding is a step towards a strong GLS Logistics community within Benelux”, saidEberhard Fritze, GLS European Area Manager West/Central Germany & Benelux. “Thanks to thesingle branding we can signalise to customers and staff our affiliation to a strong and competitiveEuropean group.”
Since acquiring the parcel and general cargo business ABX Belgium Distribution, GLS hasstarted a five-year investment of €16 million in modernising the company, including new firewallinstallations, scanners and security and surveillance technology. Two separate parcel sorting andfreight handling systems are being installed at the subsidiary’s depots. Four of its nine depotswork with the new systems, and the others should be completed by spring 2009.
“The modernisation measures will strengthen the company and increase quality,” Fritzeexplained. “In the Benelux countries GLS offers cross-border delivery of freight shipments inaddition to its national and international logistics service – one address which is now also onebrand.”
GLS reportedly spent about €23 million to win a battle with other European CEP players to buyABX Belgium Distribution from Belgian Railways in 2006 and thus become the largest B2B parcelcompany in Belgium. ABX Belgium Distribution generated revenues of approximately €90 million in2005, two-thirds of which came from the parcel business.
