Andy Watkins (pictured) has been appointed operations director at UK logistics and transport provider AV Dawson. Watkins has been at the company for 30 years, originally starting there as a stevedore.
The company said in a statement that he would oversee operations as AV Dawson expanded into new markets.
“Andy has made himself invaluable to the business and has shown real commitment and dedication. His knowledge and experience on the operational side of the business are second to none and he was the natural choice to take the position,” said Gary Dawson, managing director of the company.
In other moves, Mark Wells has joined the business as head of engineering and Shaun Cuthburt has become infrastructure manager, reporting to Watkins.
“It is a privilege that I can now take the position as operations director and relish the opportunity to drive further growth and improvements,” said Watkins. “I am pleased to welcome Mark and Shaun. They bring with them years of combined knowledge and experience and have a genuine passion for the job.”
In addition, AV Dawson said it had made strategic appointments in its procurement, transport and commercial and marketing departments to grow and diversify the business and develop existing customer relationships.
Among other recent developments, AV Dawson has begun expanding its automotive steel handling facility in the north-east of England, which feeds material brought by rail from Tata Steel’s facility in South Wales to automotive customers in the region, including Nissan Motor UK’s plant near Sunderland.
