It was with great sadness that Automotive Logistics learned of the death last weekend of Heinrich-Wilhelm Averwerser, managing director at BLG Automobile Logistics. Mr Averwerser was 39 and passed away after a short but very serious illness.
“We are missing a competent and engaged, as well as an always-reliable and esteemed colleague and superior,” said managing directors Bernd Kupke and Frank Lehner in a joint statement. “He will never be forgotten and we are grateful for the time we could work together. Our deepest sympathy is with his family.”
Mr Averwerser was married with one daughter and one son.
Mr Averwerser joined BLG Logistics in 2003 after three years as personal assistant to the Senator of Economy and Ports in Bremen. He rose quickly up the ranks at BLG, appointed in 2007 as managing director of BLG Automobile Logistics as well as managing director of EH Harms Automobile Logistics, BLG’s road transport subsidiary. At the same time he also joined the board of BLG Automobile. According to Kupke and Lehner, after having “decisively shaped the development of BLG’s Automotive Business Unit over recent years,” Mr Averwerser had also taken over responsibility of BLG’s Business Unit in Eastern Europe and Russia in January 2010.
He was also board member for the Association of European Vehicle Logistics (ECG). This past May, he put forward his candidature and was voted again to remain on the board, reflecting his ongoing commitment to the industry.
The ECG’s president, Costantino Baldissara, expressed the shock and sadness of everyone at the association.
“We will remember him always as a steadfast friend and youthfully energetic colleague, whose professionalism, humanity and goodness contributed immeasurably to the association of which he was proud to be a member. Our thoughts go out to his family at this tragic time.
Baldissara added: “When you are losing a friend, and one so young, there is a mixture of sentiments that is not easy to explain. But I would like to say that he was a true gentleman.”
Mr Averwerser worked closely with Automotive Logistics for its magazines and conferences and was a respected and supportive colleague. We would like to add our condolences to his associates, friends and family.
