GLS has teamed up with Itella Logistics, part of Itella Group, for exports and delivery inLithuania and Latvia, with effect from this month onwards. The two companies have already been
cooperating in Estonia since 2009.As the new GLS network partner for the whole Baltic region, Itella Logistics has a densedistribution network in all the three countries with a new central hub in Kaunas, thesecond-largest city in Lithuania where all GLS parcels arrive in the first place. From Kaunas,Itella directly serves recipients in Lithuania. The parcel exchange with Latvia is effected betweenKaunas and the Itella Logistics SIA hub in Lielvarzi, close to the country’s capital Riga, whileparcels to Estonia are directed via its capital Tallinn for delivery.
“By bundling parcel logistics in the Baltic States through Itella Logistics, we are offering ourcustomers a continuous, high quality service,” Saadi Al-Soudani, GLS Managing Director, said. “Thedirect connection to the central hub in Kaunas brings along further advantages. Thus, we avoid, forexample, the additional handling of parcels while creating synergies in long-distance traffic. Thismakes transportation more economical and safe – in line with all parties involved.”
Itella Logistics employs 7,000 workers serving customers in eight countries including NorthernEurope and Russia with seven Itella subsidiaries certified according to the environmental standardISO 14001, with the three Baltic States among those. GLS also pursues the policy of aresource-saving and sustainable parcel logistics with its group-wide environmental initiative ThinkGreen.
“Our common goal is to provide our customers who are operating internationally reliable and fastdelivery worldwide,” Al-Soudani added. “The partnership with Itella Logistics in Estonia has wellstood the test and we are looking forward to expanding our cooperation.”
GLS customers can use the new connection to the Baltics with the Euro Business-Parcel and theEuro Business-Small Parcel services. In addition, the Pick&Return-Service and thePick&Ship-Service enable returns and pick-ups with direct delivery. The standard delivery timefrom Germany, for example, amounts to 3-4 days to all Baltic States including the peripheralareas.
