GLS has started the construction of a €9 million facility in Karlsdorf near Graz while DHL Express opened a new store in Vienna to better serve customers in the metropolitan region.
Last week, GLS broke ground on the new sustainable depot, which represents its biggest location in the Styria region, with over 30 jobs to be created on site.
"With the new building, we are responding to the massive volume increases in the region,” Dr. Axel Spörl, General Manager GLS Austria, said. "We want to move to the new site in mid-2019." The depot is being built by the construction company ATC on an area covering almost 17,000 sqm. It features 100 gates for delivery vehicles and ten gates for trucks. The building itself covers 4,716 sqm.
The municipality of Karlsdorf, located in the immediate vicinity of the A9 and A2 motorways and Graz Airport, offers GLS an optimal connection to the transport network.
Karlsdorf Mayor Ursula Rauch commented: "We are delighted that GLS has settled here. It provides us with additional jobs and tax revenues.”
At the depot, from which GLS will serve large parts of Styria as well as Carinthia and Burgenland, the company is integrating several environmentally friendly features. In addition to connections for electric cars, the site will also feature a heat pump heating and a waste management concept. Recyclable building materials are used for the construction.
State-of-the-art conveyor technology and integrated underfloor heating will ensure pleasant working conditions for the employees in the hall even during winter. Spörl added: "The new depot in Karlsdorf is a sustainable investment in quality and future-oriented growth.” GLS will cooperate with two additional transport partners who will employ over 30 new delivery drivers.
Also last week, DHL Express opened its new store in the city of Vienna where customers will be able to ship and pick up their express shipments. The store is conveniently located very close to one of Vienna’s main railway stations (Meidling) ensuring good accessibility and customer-oriented service.
Ralf Schweighöfer, Managing Director of DHL Express Austria, commented: "With the opening of the DHL Flagship Store in the first district just a year ago, we successfully implemented our customers' wish for a location in an easily accessible location. When our Vienna City Office moved to the EURO PLAZA this September, it seemed only logical to open a modern DHL Express Store here as well. It is a further step towards the consistent expansion of our nationwide infrastructure of express stores with a uniform design and first-class service.”
Until the end of December this year, customers can profit from a special offer shipping express parcels up to 5kg for only €6.49 within Austria and for €19.90 within Europe. With the “all-in-one” Express Easy product, DHL Express offers a fast, international shipping solution at an attractive price.
