- The opening of parcel operations introduces the first automated parcel sorting facility of its kind in the GLS North American network.
- The nearly 200,000-square-foot facility features a 12,000-foot automated sorting system capable of processing four times the volume of the previous location.
VAUGHAN, ON, Sept. 29, 2026 /CNW/ -- GLS Canada has officially started parcel operations at its new hub in Vaughan, Ontario. Following the launch of Freight and Logistics operations in October 2025, the addition of parcel capabilities brings together the company's Parcel, Freight and Logistics services under one roof.
The nearly 200,000-square-foot site located in the Greater Toronto Area is home to the first automated parcel sorting facility of its kind within the GLS North American network. Positioned near key transportation corridors, this strategic location allows GLS Canada to efficiently route shipments and connect parcels to people from coast to coast.
At the heart of the hub is a 12,000-foot automated sorting system that combines multiple conveyor technologies, including belt and motor-driven roller conveyors. Parcels enter through four induction points, where they are scanned and identified using a network of sensors and automated controls. The system automatically routes each shipment to thousands of locations within the GLS Canada network, with approximately 99% accuracy. Designed to handle a wide variety of parcel sizes and types, the new system provides four times the processing capacity of the previous facility, significantly enhancing operational efficiency and supporting future growth.
"We are incredibly proud of our history and the dedicated people who built this company from the ground up," said Rick Barnes, President and CEO of GLS Canada. "Progress is always driven by teamwork, and the Vaughan hub reflects months of hard work and collaboration across GLS Canada. This isn't just a milestone because of its cutting-edge automation or massive scale; it's a milestone because it empowers our team to serve Canadians better, faster, and more efficiently than ever before."
Beyond its operational capabilities, the hub incorporates several features designed to reduce energy consumption. Conveyor systems automatically slow down or stop during periods of inactivity to reduce energy consumption, while LED lighting and motion sensors help reduce energy use throughout the building. The site is also equipped with electric vehicle charging infrastructure and is designed to accommodate future fleet electrification.
In numbers:
- 191,000 sq. ft. facility
- 4x the previous sorting capacity
- 75 dock doors, including 33 dedicated to parcel operations
- More than 10x larger than most GLS Canada sortation facility
- Conveyor speed up to 2.2 meters per second
- 3.7 km (12,000 ft.) of automated conveyor and sorting technology
- Average operating noise levels below 65 decibels
About GLS Canada
GLS Canada is a national carrier with over 65 terminals across Canada offering a unique, intermingled network of Parcel, Freight, Warehousing and Logistics services. GLS Canada is part of the international GLS Group. For more information, visit www.gls-canada.com.
About GLS Group
GLS Group is one of Europe's largest parcel service providers, with a network spanning more than 40 countries and nation states across the continent, Canada and the US. With about 115 hubs and over 1,700 depots, GLS delivers the scale, resilience and local depth that businesses depend on--and the reliability and convenience that millions of consumers expect every day. GLS is actively raising the bar on customer experience, operational and commercial excellence, while investing in the areas that define logistics today and tomorrow, including out-of-home delivery and AI-enabled operations. From global parcel shipping to fulfilment and freight, GLS continues to build the capabilities and partnerships that let its customers grow beyond borders. In 2025/26, GLS generated record revenues of €6 billion (approximately CAD 8.8 billion) and delivered 977 million parcels. For more information, visit www.gls-group.com
SOURCE GLS Canada
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