GLS strengthens its footprint in North America with the acquisition of Altimax Courier
Montreal, 8 June 2023 – GLS, a leading parcel provider, announces the acquisition of
Altimax Courier, a prominent air and ground service provider in Canada. This strategic move
aligns with GLS’ commitment to expanding its footprint and enhancing its position in the
Canadian market.
With the integration of Altimax Courier, Canadian customers will benefit from expanded
coverage and the strengthened capabilities of an experienced integrated parcel and freight
player. The addition of Altimax Courier’s network will complement GLS Canada’s existing
infrastructure, expanding it to a total of 65 terminals across the country, and providing high-
quality services to a broader customer base.
This acquisition marks another milestone in GLS’ growth strategy in Canada, following the
successful integration of Rosenau Transport in 2021, and Dicom in 2018.
Rick Barnes, President GLS Canada, stated: “It is with much excitement that we welcome the
entire Altimax Courier team to GLS Canada. Altimax Courier has been our long-standing
partner for the past 17 years. We have always appreciated their exceptional commitment to
quality throughout the Atlantic Provinces, contributing to their strong reputation in the
industry”.
Wes Penwarden, President of Altimax Courier, expressed his satisfaction with the acquisition:
“I am very happy about this transaction, as it marks a new chapter in our history by becoming
part of a fantastic international network. This is an exciting day for our employees, clients, and
partners”.
GLS is confident that the acquisition of Altimax Courier will further enhance its ability to meet
the growing demands of the Canadian market, while ensuring that customers continue to
receive exceptional service and support.
About GLS
GLS Group is one of the largest self-reliant parcel services providers in Europe, with a strong
local presence in almost all countries across the continent. It also operates through wholly-
owned subsidiaries in Canada and on the USA’s West Coast within one GLS network. This
allows GLS to seamlessly connect its customers and communities with millions of parcels and
stories every day. GLS is proactive regarding network management, connecting its markets
flexibly and agilely to respond to their fast-changing and dynamic nature. The company takes
pride in providing its customers across about 40 countries with high-quality service that best
suits their needs. The GLS network consists of over 120 hubs and more than 1,600 depots,
supported by approximately 35,000 final-mile delivery vehicles and 4,700 long-distance trucks.
This offers network resilience, superior flexibility, and extended reach. In 2022/23, GLS
generated record revenues of 5.4 billion euros and delivered 862 million parcels across the
markets.
About Altimax
Altimax Courier (2006) Ltd. is an important private Atlantic Canadian transportation company
that was founded in 2000 by the Keating Group of Companies. In 2002, Wes Penwarden joined
the Altimax leadership team expanding the company’s reach and diversifying its operations.
Altimax provides both air and ground services; it is well-regarded for its exceptional ability to
tailor its services to successfully meet the logistics and transportation needs of its clients.
Altimax is committed to quality and customer service.