Amsterdam, 21 May 2012. The GLS Group has now teamed up with Itella Logistics for the export and delivery of parcels to Lithuania and Latvia. As both parcel specialists have already been working together in Estonia since 2009, this now means they have been serving all three Baltic states in partnership since the beginning of the month .

GLS’s new network partner in the whole of the Baltic, Itella Logistics, has an extensive distribution network in all three states, with a central hub in the Lithuanian city of Kaunas. It is here that all GLS parcels for the Baltic will first arrive. Itella sends out parcels directly from Kaunas for delivery in Lithuania. Parcels for Latvia are sent from Kaunas to the Itella Logistics SIA hub in Lielvarzi near Riga. Deliveries to Estonia are made via Tallinn.  

“Concentrating our parcel logistics in the Baltic states with Itella Logistics, we can offer our customers a consistent high-quality service”, comments Saadi Al-Soudani, Managing Director at GLS. “The direct link to the central distribution hub in Kaunas also has other advantages. Parcels, for example, are not subject to further handling, and greater efficiencies in long distance transport can be achieved. These make the whole process more economical and more secure – to the benefit of all concerned.” 

Two for three  

Itella Logistics is part of the Itella Group and serves customers in eight countries, in Northern Europe and Russia, with expertise of over 7000 logistics professionals. Itella has a declared commitment to the environment, and seven Itella companies are already ISO 14001 certified, including those in the three Baltic states. With Think Green, its group-wide environmental initiative, GLS is also pursuing the goal of resource-friendly and sustainable parcel logistics.   Itella and GLS are not only on the same wavelength in relation to the environment but also when it comes to quality. 

“It is our common goal to be able to offer customers with international operations a globally reliable and fast delivery service”, says Saadi Al-Soudani. “Our partnership with Itella Logistics OÜ in Estonia has proved a great success and we are delighted to be expanding our cooperation with them.”  

GLS customers can use the new link to the Baltic with Euro Business-Parcel and Euro Business-Small Parcel. Returns and collections with direct delivery are also available via Pick&Return-Service and Pick&Ship-Service. Delivery times to all the Baltic states from Germany, for example, are typically 3 to 4 days, even to more remote areas.

The GLS Group in Europe

GLS, General Logistics Systems B.V. (headquartered in Amsterdam), realises reliable, high-quality parcel services for 212,000 customers in Europe, complemented by logistics and express services. “Quality leader in European parcel logistics” is GLS’ guiding principle. In this context, sustainability is emphasized at GLS: its Europe-wide Think Green Initiative bundles activities aimed at protecting the environment. Through wholly owned and partner companies, the Group provides a network coverage of 42 European states and is globally connected via contractual agreements. 37 central transhipment points and 660 depots are at GLS’ disposal. With its ground based network GLS is one of the leading parcel service providers in Europe. 13,400 employees handle 363 million parcels per year. Every day 16,510 vehicles are on route for GLS. In the financial year 2010/11 GLS achieved revenues of 1.75 billion euros.

About Itella Logistics  

Itella Logistics, part of Itella Group, supports and develops the business of its customer companies by providing them with service logistics solutions for road, sea and air freight, warehousing and other contract logistics. Customers may outsource an individual element of their logistics process, or even their entire supply chain, to Itella Logistics. The company has operations in eight countries (Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Russia) and provides global services through its partners. Itella Logistics’ net sales in 2011 was MEUR 732 and it employed 7,100 people.
www.itella.com/logistics