Since May this year, the GLS Group, together with Itella Logistics, has been handling the export and delivery of parcels to Lithuania and Latvia. Both companies have been cooperating in Estonia since 2009, which means that as of the beginning of this month, they are now jointly serving all three Baltic states.
The new GLS network partner in the Baltic region, Itella Logistics, has a dense distribution network in all three countries, with a central sorting hub in Kaunas (Lithuania). This is where GLS parcels arrive first, which Itella then sends directly for delivery in Lithuania. Shipments to Latvia are transported from Kaunas to the Itella Logistics SIA sorting hub in Lielvārde near Riga. Deliveries to Estonia are carried out via Tallinn.
– Consolidating our parcel logistics in the Baltic countries in the hands of Itella Logistics allows us to offer our customers services of consistently high quality – states Saadi Al-Soudani, Managing Director of GLS. – A direct connection to the central sorting hub in Kaunas has many other advantages – parcels are no longer subject to further handling, and long-distance transport can become much more efficient. This makes the entire process more economical and safer – to the benefit of all parties involved.
Itella Logistics is part of the Itella Group and serves customers in eight Northern European countries and Russia, leveraging the expertise of over 7,000 logistics professionals. Itella is highly committed to environmental protection, and seven of its branches – including those serving the Baltic countries – are already ISO 14001 certified. Through its group-wide Think-Green initiative, GLS also strives to conduct sustainable and environmentally friendly parcel logistics.
GLS customers can use the new connection to the Baltic region via Euro Business-Parcel and Euro Business-Small Parcel. Returns and collections with direct delivery are also available through the Pick&Return-Service and Pick&Ship-Service. The typical delivery time to the Baltic countries, e.g., from Germany, is 3-4 days.