GLS Group has taken over the remaining 49% of the shares in its Portuguese joint venture, GLSPortugal, with effect from 1 November, claiming the move strengthened its presence in the
country.GLS Portugal launched its operations in November 2005 as a joint venture between Kislog, aPortuguese logistics company, and GLS. The parcel unit, which belonged to Kislog’s subsidiary and aformer GLS network partner, Personalis, was integrated into the joint company. The currenttransaction dissolves the joint venture, with GLS Portugal now coming under the full control of thepan-European parcel, express and logistics provider.
“By acquiring the remaining shares, we are strengthening both GLS’ position in Portugal and ourEuropean network”, explained GLS CEO Rico Back. “When GLS Portugal was founded, a transfer wasalready laid down in the contract, and is now taking place following five years of successfulcooperation.”
GLS Portugal provides nationwide services at six locations. Immediately after the domesticcompany was founded, GLS converted all the processes to its pan-European industrial parcel handlingstandards, replacing both the information technology and the entire software and hardwarearchitecture.
The group has also invested in expanding capacities and modernising its locations in Portugalover the last few years. In 2008, GLS Portugal put a new distribution centre (hub and depot) intooperation in Lisbon. The new facility has more capacity, a modern sorting system and is equippedwith a video surveillance technology. In the same year, the company introduced mobile datatransmission from delivery vehicles. This makes delivery information from Portugal available almostin real-time via online shipment tracking. In mid-2009, GLS Portugal was also certified with EN ISO9001:2008.
“GLS Portugal has succeeded in achieving a solid market position,” Back said. “Security is animportant criterion for selecting a parcel service provider, especially when valuable or sensitivegoods are involved.”
Prior to the global economic crisis, GLS Portugal had been recording annual growth rates of upto 30%, with customers including large telecommunications and pharmaceutical companies. GLS saidthe link to the group’s European network had a particularly positive effect on exports.
“Portugal is one of the countries that was hit especially hard by the crisis and now has tocontend with high public debt”, Back added. “Our current investments reconfirm our commitment tothe country and our customers. GLS has strengthened its capacity to act in the region and is wellpositioned for the economic recovery, which will hopefully set in soon. We are making use of ourpotential to contribute.”
