Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL) has appointed Xavier Leroi as its new managing director in China. Leroi moves from his position as head of WWL South Africa and will now be based in Shanghai with responsibility for driving all growth in China.
“The Chinese market has enormous potential, in terms of import and export opportunities, as well as the prospect of developing effective Supply Chain Management (SCM) solutions,” said Leroi. “This market is also extremely challenging and it will be my job to make sure our customers succeed in China.”
Leroi has more than 15 years of experience with WWL, having served in management roles for the company in Norway, France and South Africa.
Talking about the company’s goals for China, which include the considerable task of improving supply chain efficiency in such a vast country undergoing fast-paced change, Leroi outlined that complex regulatory structures and business practices will be amongst the challenges he will focus on.
“However,” he said, “as our operations here, in terms of both the people and the company, are almost 100% Chinese, I believe we’re well positioned to stay on top of both regulatory changes and market developments. We will succeed by combining WWL’s global quality mindset with all the benefits that our local presence offers us.”
As WWL made clear at last month’s Automotive Logistics China conference in Shanghai, the demand for a faster speed to market from carmakers operating in the country comes at a time when shipping costs are increasing, something that will be exacerbated by new fuel restrictions being imposed over the next few years. While carmakers and their LSPs will be forced to accept the cost increase, WWL’s president Anders Peterson said that the company would work to optimise movements with OEMs to limit that cost.
Dr Christian Kuhn, managing director of Production at DB Schenker Rail, is resigning from the company at short notice. Kuhn has served DB Schenker Rail in various capacities since 2005. No explanation for the departure has been given.
He will be replaced on 1 June by Dr Mark Hunkel, who will be responsible for European production at the company and becomes a new member of the DB Schenker Rail Management Board.
Hunkel joined the DB Group in 1997 and since October 2008 has headed strategy in the Transportation and Logistics department.
We would like to thank Christian Kuhn for the exceptional commitment he has shown to rail freight transport at Deutsche Bahn," said Dr. Alexander Hedderich, CEO of DB Schenker Rail. "With Markus Hunkel, we will continue our commitment to actively developing our European rail freight operations. Hunkel has been active for years in this important area he will now be managing, and I am pleased to welcome him to our Management Board."
Con-Way subsidiary, Menlo Worldwide Logistics, has named Corey Tyler as senior director of transportation.
In his new role, Tyler becomes responsible for carrier negotiations, relationship management, transportation strategy and vision and growing the transportation management business. He will be based at Menlo’s national transportation management center in Aurora, Illinois.
Tyler joins Menlo following 10 years with Baxter Healthcare Corporation where he served most recently as director of logistics and global transportation. He has also spent more than a decade working in senior level marketing, sales and transportation management positions at a range of companies including Hellman Worldwide Logistics, and Norfolk Southern.
“Corey’s expertise in managing global transportation initiatives at large, multinational companies makes him the ideal candidate to help us drive the effective strategies and continuous improvement our customers require,” said Anthony Oliverio, vice president, supply chain services for Menlo. “We welcome Corey to the Menlo team and look forward to his contributions.”
Kenichi Kuroya has resigned as president and CEO of Japanese ocean forwarder K-Line and will be replaced by the company’s vice president Jiro Asakura. Kuroya, who was only in the role for 13 months, will remain as a director of the company.
