DB unit to offer parcel service as GLS expands freight offering in 2016
Source:transportweekly 2015-9-29 11:46:00
Germany's DB Schenker Logistics and the GLS Group have signed a strategic partnership agreement on European level, the company announced.
The two firms assist each other in their transport services: DB Schenker Logistics will offer a Europe-wide parcel service and GLS will expand its offer of freight services.
The parcel service GLS, which is active throughout Europe, will deliver parcels for the DB subsidiary. Under the same agreement, DB SL will handle part-load transports (pallets) for GLS.
"Freight customers are increasingly requesting parcel services,?said GLS chief executive Rico Back. "GLS already works together with many freight companies and networks, including DB Schenker Logistics on a national level."
By signing the agreement, GLS have extended its cooperation to include the European economic area.
Said Schenker AG board member for land transport Ewald Kaiser: "Driven by e-commerce, the European parcel market offers excellent growth opportunities."
In addition, the expansion of the product range meets the constantly growing customer demand for an 'all-in-one solution".
This means that with DB Schenker Logistics, customers now have a single logistics partner that can provide everything from parcel services to part- and full-load solutions.
The cooperation thus complements DB SL's own parcel service in Sweden, Norway, Finland and Poland. DB Schenker Logistics plans to offer parcel services for corporate customers in Europe under its own brand.
GLS covers 37 countries in Europe with its parcel services. "Our parcel service is characterised by a uniform basic range of services across Europe as well as harmonised processes and standards," said Mr Back.
GLS has its own freight networks in Belgium and the Netherlands. "But we also have customers in other countries who would like to send freight or pallets through us," he said.
"Therefore, the non-exclusive cooperation under which DB Schenker Logistics will handle part-load consignments is an ideal solution for our customers," said Mr Back.
Under the deal, DB Schenker Logistics will manage parts of the transport chain itself and in general will collect parcels together with freight from customers. GLS provides further transport and delivery to businesses and their end customers.
The implementation of the cooperation will start on January 1, initially in Germany and then step by step across Europe.