ThinkResponsibleUpdate to the Sustainability Report published
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">With its update to the fourth Sustainability Report, the GLS Group provides information about its goals, activities and progress in the areas of environment, social affairs and economy. The information relates to the financial year 2019/20. The report contains results of the group-wide life cycle assessment, which GLS prepares annually to identify potential for improvement.</p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"> </p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">GLS gives an overview of the further development of measures to protect the environment. City logistics continues to be one of the key points. Numerous GLS subsidiaries meanwhile deliver using alternative drive systems. GLS also takes care to minimise its environmental impact when building new depots or renovating existing ones – for example, by using heat pumps, solar collectors, energy-saving LED lighting or green electricity. One of the highlights of 2019 was the roll-out of GLS KlimaProtect in Germany. The programme was the starting point of fully climate-neutral parcel transport in one of the largest GLS companies.</p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"> </p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">The diverse social engagement throughout the GLS Group is another focus of the update. In addition, GLS provides information on the developments resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, which began at the end of the reporting period. Hygiene concepts to protect all those involved in parcel transport were introduced, as were options for contactless delivery in all countries. This enabled GLS to continue fulfilling its supply mandate completely. </p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">The current report is available here: <a href="https://gls-group.com/GROUP/en/our-responsibility.html">gls-group.com</a></p>
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Big PictureHow people pay in Europe
<p>In our omnichannel world, digital payment methods are becoming increasingly more important. But the range of options is diverse – and Europeans' payment habits differ greatly in some cases. Which trends point the way to the future? </p>
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ServicesFast customer support in turbulent times
<p>New times, new demands: parcel volumes and peaks are increasing sharply. This is also noticeable in customer service. In order to still be able to answer all inquiries quickly and efficiently, GLS Ireland is relying on new technologies and has now established a new helpdesk ticketing system.</p>
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ThinkResponsibleSurprise deliveries to volunteers across the country
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Thank you for all that you do! That's what Volunteer Ireland wants to say to the many volunteers in the country with their annual awards. As it was not possible to honour the award winners in person in 2020, GLS Ireland helped make them feel special and appreciated.</p>
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Big PictureDo-it-yourself during lockdown
<p>There are many good reasons for DIY projects – and Covid-19 has increased their number. Because when people are "cocooning", they wish for a beautiful home. Paint the walls fresh. Re-grout the bathroom tiles. Light up the home office workstation. Throughout Europe, home improvement projects were on the agenda in spring and summer 2020. Accordingly, the do-it-yourself (DIY) sector recorded significant sales increases. Large DIY chains report growth rates of over 20 percent in some countries.</p>
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NetworkFull throttle during peak season
<p>The industry is expecting never before seen parcel volumes: corona drives e-commerce, and Christmas is right around the corner. GLS Ireland ramped up capacities, mobilised additional personnel, and explores new ways to keep supply chains moving and consumers well supplied.</p>
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NetworkGLS Group successfully recertified
<p>In the summer of 2020, the quality and environmental management system of the GLS Group has been recertified in Europe for another three years – in accordance with ISO 9001 and 14001. The certificates confirm that GLS aligns its actions daily with high quality and environmental standards and continuously improves processes. GDP certification has also been confirmed in five countries and a new GDP seal has been added for Spain.</p>
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Big PicturePoland: hidden champion in the heart of Europe
<p>What do Esperanto, the bulletproof vest and the first modern oil refinery have in common? Their inventors all hail from Poland. It is a country with a tradition of diversity and innovation. Since the 1990s, the long-established but newly re-formed republic has also developed into an economic heavyweight in Europe.</p>
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ServicesReturns service extended internationally
<p>Since October 2020, four more countries have been linked to the international returns shipment via the GLS ParcelShops. Three more countries will be added by the end of December 2020. This means that the <em><a href="https://gls-group.eu/IE/en/products-services/services/shop-return-service" target="_blank">ShopReturnService</a></em> will achieve nearly complete coverage in Europe. It offers GLS customers and private recipients a flexible solution for national and cross-border returns.</p>
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NetworkGLS Germany opens EuropeanEcoHub in Essen
<p>GLS KlimaProtect at its best: at the end of September 2020, GLS Germany opened the new EuropeanEcoHub in Essen. The facility with a current capacity of 75,000 parcels per day is a strategically important element in the GLS network, both regionally and internationally. In terms of sustainable operation, GLS in Essen is setting completely new standards – among other things with a predominantly self-sufficient power supply and a biotope for amphibians.</p>
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Big PictureProper packaging for the environment
<p>The rapid growth in online trade has side effects: mountains of packaging material. To avoid unnecessary waste, clever solutions are needed that benefit both senders and the environment. Recipients are also increasingly demanding more sustainable parcel shipping – with less waste and environmentally friendly materials.</p>
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ServicesFrom Ireland to the entire world – the easy way
<p>Going farther together: GLS Ireland added <em>GlobalBusiness<strong>Parcel</strong></em> to its service portfolio and offers deliveries to important economic centres within three to five days – across the Atlantic and even all the way to the Pacific. Many companies are already using the service. A key factor is fast and straightforward processing.</p>
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ServicesGLS Spain introduces PharmaService
<p>GLS Spain is the sixth GLS subsidiary offering GDP-compliant shipping to its customers. The health and pharmaceutical industry is considered one of Spain’s most important economic sectors with further growth potential.</p> <p>“We are observing an increased demand for qualified services,” says Luis Doncel, General Manager Iberia at GLS. “This has prompted us to support our customers also in the shipment of medical products with a tailor-made service that meets particularly high quality and safety standards.”</p> <p>In May 2020, all depots and hubs of GLS Spain have been certified by DEKRA – in accordance with the European guidelines of Good Distribution Practice of medicinal products for human use. The auditing company thus attests to the Spanish subsidiary particularly reliable, safe and hygienic procedures to ensure a strictly monitored transport chain.</p> <p>The <em>Pharma<strong>Service</strong></em> for non-temperature-controlled products offered by GLS Spain is not only compliant with the strict European Directive 2013/C 343/01, but offers even more advantages. Business and private recipients can have their parcels delivered by 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. They also have the option of confirming receipt of the parcel digitally on their own mobile device via the <em>ContactlessSign</em> solution.</p> <p>The shipments are handed over exclusively to the designated recipient. An alternative delivery, for example to a neighbour or a ParcelShop, is therefore not possible.</p>
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PeopleNew CEO of the GLS Group
<p>Martin Seidenberg has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the GLS Group with effect from 25 June 2020. The native German has more than 20 years’ experience in logistics. He joined the Management Board of GLS Germany at the beginning of 2015 and took over as its Chairman. Under his leadership, the largest national company of the GLS Group was able to strengthen its long-term position in the German parcel market and grow continuously.</p>
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ThinkResponsibleGLS Germany expands electric vehicle fleet
<p>GLS is expanding its electric fleet with eight Mercedes-Benz eSprinters in Hamburg. Along with four e-bikes, these vehicles enable emission-free delivery in the city centre of Hamburg. In Düsseldorf, an electrically powered 7.5-tonne HGV was added to the electrical vehicle fleet.</p>
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ServicesTogether for quality – mastering crisis and new reality
<p>The Corona pandemic has shaken the flow of goods and parcels. All of a sudden, the team of GLS Ireland faced the task of handling a very high number of parcels, many of which had to be delivered to private consignees. How did GLS keep the goods moving and how are they dealing with the current situation?</p>
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NetworkCoronavirus crisis: GLS networks running and stable
<p>GLS continues to provide parcel shipping services in all countries in which the Group operates – keeping local communities across Europe and North America connected at this critical time. Parcel service providers have a crucial role to play in the coronavirus crisis by providing essential logistic services facilitating the flow of goods.</p>
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PeopleHappy employees for satisfied customers
<p>Fully dedicated to employees: Jennifer Harper, HR Business Partner at GLS’ Dublin office, knows that if you love what you do, you do it well. This is why she has implemented a wellbeing programme for employees at GLS Ireland.</p>
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