Logistics UK CEO Steps Down

David Wells OBE, Chief Executive of business group Logistics UK will step down from his role at the end of July. Wells notified the President early in the new year of his intention to step down and a process is underway to find his replacement.

Wells who joined Logistics UK in 2009 as Finance Director became Chief Executive in early 2015 and has made significant changes to the business group during his ten years in the role. These include an organisational rebrand, from the Freight Transport Association to Logistics UK in the summer of 2020 and the adoption of a new corporate strategy. This has seen the organisation grow its influence and authority significantly with government and other opinion makers, as well as increasing total membership numbers to an all-time high of 21,600 by spring 2025.

“David has steered the organisation smoothly through a decade of significant change, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Brexit and issues at the UK’s borders, with a calm focus that has inspired the team,” says Logistics UK President Phil Roe. “He has the ability to engage with everyone, from the most junior member of staff to those at the highest levels of government, with empathy and enthusiasm, and has always prioritised the needs of our members above all else.”

“Thanks to his stewardship, Logistics UK is now regarded as one of the country’s leading business groups and he should be proud of the legacy he leaves for his successor. On behalf of all our staff and members, I’d like to thank him for all his hard work and wish him every success in his next challenge”.

A familiar face at industry and parliamentary events, Wells received an OBE in 2022 for his services to transport and logistics.

Wells commented that, “Ten years at the helm of this fantastic organisation serving an amazing industry have flown by. At some point it is right to hand the baton to the next leader to take the organisation forward with fresh ideas and energy. I want to thank my wonderful colleagues and members for all they have done in support of our mission to see the sector recognised as the vital economic infrastructure that serves everybody, everywhere, every day. We’ve made great progress in the last ten years but there is still a great deal to do and I’m sure the next leader will enjoy and rise to the challenge”.

Logistics UK is one of the UK’s biggest business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With decarbonisation, Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, water and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods.

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https://www.logisticsbusiness.com/transport-distribution/asset-alliance-group-makes-senior-appointment/

 

DSV announces changes to its executive management

After obtaining all regulatory clearances for DSV’s acquisition of Schenker, DSV announces the first executive leadership appointments to maintain momentum and further strengthen the commercial approach and integration efforts.

DSV adds new members to its Group Executive Committee and renames the Solutions Division to Contract Logistics. The changes will become effective after completion of the acquisition which is expected on 30 April.

While DSV’s Executive Board remains unchanged, several new members will be welcomed to the Group Executive Committee:

Helmut Schweighofer will become the new CEO of the Road Division. Schweighofer currently holds a position as CEO of Schenker’s Region Europe with 40,000 employees and a leading role within road freight; a role he has held since 2018. He succeeds Søren Schmidt, who has decided to continue his career outside DSV after three decades of dedicated service.

Vishal Sharma, currently CEO of Schenker’s Region Asia Pacific, will become the new Group CCO. Sharma brings more than 30 years of industry and global executive leadership experience to this role.He replaces Morten Landry, who will continue in DSV as CCO of DSV’s largest division, Air & Sea, from Q1 2026. Until then, Landry will remain part of DSV’s Group Commercial executive team to ensure a smooth transition.

Saskia Blochberger will join the DSV Group Executive Committee as Group Chief People Officer (CPO). Blochberger joins from her position as CPO in Schenker’s Region Europe and brings significant P&O and business strategy experience from a variety of leadership roles. After a long-standing tenure with DSV, Helle Bach, current Head of Group HR, has decided to step down and pursue new opportunities outside DSV.


Jens H. Lund, Group CEO of DSV said “I am very pleased with the strong executive team we will have in place for the next important stage in our journey as the global leader in transport and logistics. A warm welcome to Helmut Schweighofer, Vishal Sharma and Saskia Blochberger, who join our Group Executive Committee from Schenker. They all bring extensive experience and excellent leadership capabilities to drive our business forward. At the same time, I wish to thank Søren Schmidt and Helle Bach for their dedicated and long-standing contributions to DSV. And I am glad that Morten Landry will continue to drive the commercial efforts in our Air & Sea Division.”

With the acquisition of Schenker, DSV is doubling its size, creating a transport and logistics powerhouse. Based on the financials for the full-year 2024, the combined company had a pro forma revenue of approximately DKK 310 billion (£35.6 billion) and close to 160,000 employees. DSV aims to use its strengthened market position to continue to grow through enhanced service offerings and economies of scale, achieving industry-leading margins.

Completion of the transaction is expected on 30 April 2025, when DSV will also present its interim results for the first quarter of 2025 and announce further details and preliminary financial information related to the acquisition of Schenker.

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Girteka Logistics Business Appoint New CEO

Girteka Logistics Business Appoint New CEO

Effective April 7th, Nikolay Pargov has been appointed CEO of Girteka logistics business (currently named Girteka Europe West UAB). He’ll continue to focus on growth of the logistics business, driving commercial and operational excellence, enhancing efficiency, and creating value for all stakeholders.

“With a strong and committed team, we’re well-positioned to deliver outstanding service and reliability to our customers,” says Nikolay. “I’m honored by the trust placed in me and look forward to continuing our mission of being Europe’s leading provider of temperature-controlled and high-care cargo transportation.”

Pargov joined the company in September 2024. He brought over 20 years of experience in logistics, having worked with companies such as DHL, C.H. Robinson Europe, and Transporeon.

New Name Reflects Strategic Focus

To better reflect the core of its business, Girteka Europe West UAB will officially become Girteka Logistics UAB as of the 2nd of May.

“The name “Girteka Europe West” no longer reflects the essence of our business and how we are structured today. “Girteka Logistics” better aligns with our core business and future direction – delivering operational excellence and driving growth in logistics,” says Edvardas Liachovičius, Girteka Group CEO.

Business Structure of Girteka Group

Girteka Group operates through main business areas. Girteka Logistics specializes in temperature-controlled and high-care cargo transportation across Europe. TNDM Trucking delivers dedicated fleet services tailored to customers. ClassTrucks ensures supply, management and sale of trucks and trailers, supporting efficient transport asset management. Girteka Group also owns Thermo-Transit which provides logistics services in fresh fish, food, and beverages delivery to and from Scandinavia.

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Stoecklin Logistics Announces New CEO

Stoecklin Logistics, a leading provider of automated material handling and warehouse storage systems, announced the company’s new CEO, Juerg Frefel, at MODEX 2024 in Atlanta recently. Appointed for his expertise as a natural scientist and engineer, Frefel (pictured) is passionate about supporting Stoecklin’s efforts in achieving sustainability and reducing its overall environmental impact.

For nearly 30 years, Urs Gruetter has successfully led Stoecklin Logistics, developing it into the international systems provider it is today. Now, in the company’s 90th year, Gruetter continues to support Stoecklin as Chairman of its Board of Directors, while Frefel takes the reins as CEO.

“I’m honoured to have been appointed to the position of CEO at Stoecklin Logistics,” said Frefel. “Stoecklin is a family business with dedicated employees, specialists, and solution-oriented engineers. With Urs still by my side, I’m excited to shape the future of Stoecklin Logistics together and create the next generation of innovative solutions.”

As an automation partner, Stoecklin Logistics is helping manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and wholesalers revamp warehousing operations through efficient sustainable product handling solutions.

Notably, Stoecklin’s green automation and robotic solutions combine intelligent software with automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), pallet conveyor systems, shuttles, and more to help companies efficiently move products and preserve the environment through reduced waste and less emissions. And, with continuous routine maintenance, Stoecklin ensures its customers operations are running smoothly and in accordance with ESG targets.

“In this new generation of technology, we plan to continue to focus on providing automated solutions that not only meet today’s needs, but needs for the unprecedented future. Our vision is to become the champions of automation, and I believe that our end-to-end, intelligent solutions are capable of achieving this,” Frefel added.

As a natural scientist, engineer with an MBA, and CEO, Frefel sustainability efforts will involve reducing environmental impacts in product development, production, building infrastructure and internal sustainability management to achieve a significant reduction in overall CO2 footprints.

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Stoecklin Logistics Opens New North American Headquarters

 

Schmidt Named CEO of Beumer USA

BEUMER Corporation, the wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of Beckum, Germany-based BEUMER Group, today named Markus Schmidt as president and chief executive officer. Schmidt joins the company effective immediately. BEUMER Group is pleased to welcome a seasoned leader with a proven track record of collaborative partnerships.

With more than 30 years of industry experience and 18 years of executive experience, Schmidt brings to BEUMER decades of expertise in intralogistics automation, market segment-oriented strategy, understanding of the unique challenges facing operations throughout North America and a dedication to collaboration with both internal and external partners. Schmidt’s leadership style and commitment to excellence align perfectly with the company’s vision and values.

As the new CEO, Schmidt will work closely with the talented team at BEUMER Corporation to build on the company’s strong legacy and drive continued growth and success. The company is committed to delivering innovative solutions and world-class service to customers, while prioritizing safety, quality and sustainability.

“We are pleased to have Markus join BEUMER to lead our North American operations,” said Rudolf Hausladen, CEO of the BEUMER Group. “Markus’ expertise in intralogistics automation coupled with strategic leadership within multinational organizations will enhance our sustainable success by creating valuable solutions for our customers in Canada, the United States and Mexico.”

“I’m honoured to join the BEUMER team at such a crucial time for our industry, said Markus Schmidt, incoming CEO at BEUMER Corporation. “As the industry faces exceptional growth, technological advancements and a continuing e-commerce surge, I look forward to working with the exceptional North American team to provide solutions that enhance productivity, efficiency and create unparalleled customer value across the many markets we serve.”

Schmidt earned his diploma from the University of Cologne (Germany) and has sought advanced education focused on leadership development at the University of California, Berkeley, the University of Virginia, Darden School of Business and the University of St. Gallen (Switzerland).

New CEO for Cimcorp

The Board of Cimcorp Group has appointed TeroPeltomäki as CEO, with effect from 1 February 2021. Peltomäki has worked in the company since 1983, beginning his career as a mechanical engineer, then spending many years in sales and business development until his current role as Executive Vice President of Operations and Technology.

“Tero has extensive experience from his years with Cimcorp,” commented outgoing CEO, Masatoshi Wakabayashi, “and he is a highly regarded and well-known professional among our customers, stakeholders and all Cimcorpers around the world.”

Masatoshi Wakabayashi has been Cimcorp’s CEO since 2015, following the group’s acquisition by Murata Machinery Ltd (Muratec) in October 2014. During this time, the company has grown significantly in terms of revenue and profit, as well as in personnel and its subsidiary network. Cimcorp and Muratec continue to enjoy great opportunities to benefit from each other’s strengths, expertise and competencies. With Peltomäki taking the reins as CEO, Wakabayashi will continue to work for Cimcorp as General Advisor and a member of the Board, with a particular focus on strengthening the collaboration between Cimcorp and its owner, Muratec.

Tero Peltomäki commented, “One of my core tasks is to lead our company to the next level, together with all our employees and in collaboration with our owner. Together we can create a formidable, mutual base for growth and development. As a long-time Cimcorper,” continued Peltomäki, “I would also like to thank Masatoshi Wakabayashi for his tremendous work for Cimcorp, and I’m grateful that he will continue to contribute to our company and our community.”

New CEO for Interroll

Ingo Steinkrüger (48), currently Chief Executive Officer at thyssenkrupp System Engineering, will take over as CEO of the global Interroll Group on May 1, 2021, succeeding Paul Zumbühl, who announced his retirement last June and will be nominated as future Chairman of the Interroll Board of Directors.

Ingo Steinkrüger brings more than 20 years of proven management and technical expertise with a focus on project and product business, automation, engineering, and production technology, and has extensive global sales and service experience in the highly competitive automotive industry. He holds a degree (Dipl.-Ing.) in mechanical engineering (production technology) and a degree (Dipl.-Ing.) in industrial engineering from the University of Cologne.

Steinkrüger began his career in the thyssenkrupp Group in 2000 at Johann A. Krause Maschinenfabrik GmbH in Bremen as a sales/project engineer. After holding several successful management positions in project management, business development, service business, and global key account management, Steinkrüger took over overall responsibility for Global Sales & Service as vice president. From mid-2016, due to his continuous success, Steinkrüger was assigned the position as CEO of the same stand-alone business unit thyssenkrupp System Engineering with sales of EUR 1.1 billion (approximately CHF 1.2 billion, 2019), 4,600 employees, and 15 locations worldwide.

“We are very much looking forward to working with Ingo Steinkrüger, whose strategic focus on future topics that are important for Interroll, such as digitalization and technology platforms, as well as his great success in global sales and the service business, have convinced the Board of Directors,” says Urs Tanner, chairman of the Board of Directors of Interroll Holding AG. “The appointment was preceded by a careful selection process and a global search for the best candidate, both internally and externally.”

“With Ingo Steinkrüger, we have been able to attract a proven and successful leader who, in addition to outstanding technological expertise, brings a strong customer focus and the right feel for our corporate culture and values,” says Paul Zumbühl, CEO Interroll Worldwide Group. “These are the best prerequisites to further drive our growth and lead the company and its employees to the next level of success with our long-term strategy.”

“I am very much looking forward to taking over the management of the Interroll Group and contributing my experience to the company,” says future Steinkrüger. “My goal is to continue Paul Zumbühl’s successful activities and, together with the employees, to sustainably strengthen the company’s growth path through customer orientation and the further development of the technology platform.”

As announced in June 2020, Paul Zumbühl will step down as CEO at the end of April 2021 after more than 21 years in this position. The Board of Directors of Interroll Holding Ltd. will nominate him to the shareholders as the future Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Interroll Annual General Meeting on May 7, 2021. The board has also announced that it will appoint him as Active Chairman if his election is confirmed. At the same time, Urs Tanner, the current Chairman of the Interroll Board of Directors, will stand for election as Lead Independent Director for the first year in order to ensure, together with the Interroll Board of Directors, effective control and supervision during the transition phase and strict compliance with recognized corporate governance guidelines. After two years, the function of active chairman will revert to the regular chairman’s office in 2023.

New Executive Board for Logistics Provider

On January 1, Burkhard Eling (pictured) became Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Spokesperson of the Executive Board of logistics provider Dachser. He heads the Corporate Strategy, Human Resources, Marketing executive unit, which also includes Corporate Key Account Management and the Corporate Governance & Compliance division. Eling succeeds Bernhard Simon, who will take over as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the family-owned company in mid-2021.

Also moving to the Supervisory Board with Simon is the former Chief Operations Officer (COO) Road Logistics, Michael Schilling. In response, Dachser has made further changes to the Executive Board as of January 1, 2021. Two Dachser managers of many years’ standing have been promoted to the logistics provider’s operational management body: Stefan Hohm as Chief Development Officer (CDO) and Alexander Tonn as COO Road Logistics. They are joined on the Executive Board by Robert Erni, who left DSV Panalpina to join Dachser on September 1, 2020 and has taken up the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The five-man Executive Board team is completed by Edoardo Podestà, who has been COO Air & Sea Logistics since October 2019.

Eling, 49, joined Dachser in 2012 as deputy head of the Finance, Legal and Tax executive unit. He joined the Executive Board as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) the following year, since when he has been responsible for the logistics provider’s group-wide strategic idea and innovation management program. With a degree in industrial engineering, Eling joined Dachser from the engineering and service group Bilfinger SE, where he was Head of the controlling and internal audit departments, CFO of a US subsidiary and of an international facility management service provider. Eling started his career with the construction companies Hochtief AG and Philipp Holzmann AG.

With sound judgment and agility

“My fellow board members and I are taking over an extremely robust and fast-growing company that even the challenges of the coronavirus crisis haven’t managed to throw off course. With their tremendous know-how and commitment, the people at Dachser have succeeded in maintaining the supply chains of our global customers even under adverse conditions,” says Burkhard Eling, CEO of Dachser. “With the trust and support of the founding family, we as an Executive Board team, will preserve the unique, people-oriented culture of Dachser as a family-owned company. At the same time, we will continue to develop the company with sound judgment and agility on its way to becoming the world’s most integrated logistics provider,” Eling continues.

Alexander Tonn is a new member of Dachser’s Executive Board as of January 1, 2021. As COO Road Logistics, he will be responsible for the European overland transport networks for industrial goods and food. In addition, he will continue to lead the European Logistics Germany business unit. Tonn, 47, has been with the company for over 20 years, having held managerial positions including at Dachser’s Allgäu logistics center in Memmingen and at company headquarters, where he was responsible for the logistics provider’s global contract logistics business for several years.

Stefan Hohm, 48, will head the newly created IT & Development executive unit as Chief Development Officer (CDO). Hohm has been working for Dachser for 27 years, during which time he has managed, among other things, the branches in Erfurt (Thuringia) and Hof (Upper Franconia). Most recently, he was Corporate Director for the logistics provider’s research and development work as well as its Corporate Solutions business. Besides the further development of IT, he is now also responsible for worldwide contract logistics.

Burkhard Eling’s successor as CFO is Robert Erni, an internationally experienced logistics finance manager, who took over as CFO on January 1, 2021 after a four-month induction and transition phase. Before joining Dachser, the 54-year-old Swiss national was Group CFO at logistics provider Panalpina for nearly seven years.

There are no changes to Dachser’s air and sea freight business, which has been led by Edoardo Podestà, COO Air & Sea Logistics, since October 2019. The 58-year-old Italian, based in Hong Kong, became Managing Director of Dachser’s air and sea freight business in the Asia Pacific business unit in 2014. Podestà is also a highly experienced Dachser manager. He joined the company in 2003 when it acquired the joint venture Züst Ambrosetti Far East Ltd.

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