European parcel service provider GLS said today it has speeded up parcel deliveries to emergingintercontinental markets through new partners and is in talks over further agreements.
Connections to India, Hong Kong, Russia and the Middle East have been strengthened in recentmonths, enabling GLS to reduce delivery times for standard parcel shipments and to improvetransparency and quality. Although GLS focuses on its European network, it can provideintercontinental services, for example, to destinations such as Novosibirsk or to Abu Dhabi in 3-4days.
“We are connected to the whole world through contractual agreements. In particular, we havestrengthened our ties to emerging markets through new partners because these regions are becomingincreasingly important for our customers,” explained Rico Back, CEO of GLS Group.
Most recently, GLS created a link to the Middle East by entering a partnership with MIDEXInternational. The IATA-licensed GLS Airport Office at Frankfurt Airport handles parcels from allover Europe and sends them on their way to Dubai. From there, MIDEX takes care of customs clearanceand distribution to the Arabian Peninsula and parts of the Levant and Northern Africa.
Just a few months before, GLS had signed agreements with other high-performance partners: EMSGarantpost services the Russian Federation, Gati Ltd. the Indian subcontinent and TF Logistics HongKong.
“We exchange parcels with our global partners and each partner uses the strength of theother’s area-wide network,” Back said. “In each case both sides attach importance to highstandards: high customs clearance competence, short delivery times, safety and transparency.”
The use of modern IT and communications technology is standard for all GLS partners. Thecompanies’ track & trace systems are linked so that consignors can check the status of theirparcels from collection through to delivery. Also important: customs clearance competence. GLS hasbeen an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) since 2009. This reduces transit times for parcels sentvia GLS to countries outside of the European Union. The partners in the respective countries takecare of import customs clearance.
GLS said it will continue to strengthen its global links in the future. In important economicregions, the company is already conducting negotiations with potential partners. “Our cooperationpartners appreciate the fact that GLS’ network expansion is consistently focused on Europe. Thisway there are no competitive situations,” Back pointed out. “Europe is and will remain our corecompetence, but, thanks to our partners, we are also able to offer our customers high qualityparcel service worldwide.”
In Europe, GLS provides reliable, high-quality parcel and express services as well asvalue-added logistics solutions through wholly owned and partner companies in 36 countries. The GLSsystem consists of 36 central transhipment points, 678 depots and 13,000 employees. Some 18,000vehicles transport 350 million parcels annually for 228,000 customers throughout Europe. In thefinancial year 2008/09, GLS achieved revenues of €1.8 billion.
