Panalpina Appoints Global Leadership Positions

Panalpina appoints three industry experts to lead its core products ocean freight, air freight and logistics. In parallel Sven Hommken, head of supply chain management, was also named global head of marketing and sales. The fulfilment of these positions marks the closure of the adaptations to its organizational structure announced in March 2010.

"Air freight, ocean freight and logistics are the three major pillars in Panalpina's product portfolio and it is an important achievement for us to fill these three positions with recognized, experienced and respected industry leaders. I am convinced that with our three new colleagues, we are in a strong position to push our strategy forward and expand our presence as a global supply chain management leader", said Monika Ribar, CEO.

All appointees will report to Karl Weyeneth, COO, who explained that "the new positions are the result of an increased product focus and drive to enhance service offerings for end-to-end supply chain solutions to customers across all industry verticals."

Frank Hercksen, global head of ocean freight, brings 26 years international experience at Kuehne + Nagel with him to his new role. He has worked in Hong Kong, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany and most recently in North America as senior vice president, sea freight, North America region. In his new position at Panalpina which begins in March 2011, he is returning to his roots. He began his career at Panalpina Welttransport in Germany in the late 70s. As global head of ocean freight he will focus on strategically growing and solidifying Panalpina's global market share in the ocean freight sector. He will have overall global responsibility for ocean freight FCL and LCL product management, trade lane management, procurement and operations.

With 28 years international air freight experience, Henrik Lund, global head of air freight, has worked for major companies like Samson Transport, Avia Cargo, Shipco Transport, Exel Logistics (now DHL) and most recently DHL Global Forwarding where he was vice president, global head consumer sector based in Germany and Hong Kong. He will assume his role as global head of air freight in early 2011. He will drive Panalpina's global air freight business as an integral part of its supply chain management strategy and will have overall global responsibility for air freight product management including Panalpina's own controlled network, trade lane management, procurement and operations.

Mike Wilson, global head of logistics, has 20 years global supply chain and technology management experience at Celestica, Exel Logistics (now DHL), Deutsche Post DHL and most recently Timex Group. At Timex, he held the position of senior vice president, global supply chain and manufacturing operations based in the US and Hong Kong. As global head of logistics, a role he will assume by January 2011, he will have overall global responsibility for logistics, including the road and rail and the warehousing and distribution sub-products encompassing product management, network management, procurement and operations.

The executive board also promoted Sven Hommken to the position of global head of marketing and sales. Prior to joining Panalpina in late 2008, Sven Hommken spent many years working for international companies and consulting firms. He joined Panalpina from DHL where he held the position of senior vice president for global business intelligence. He has also held positions with Exel (now DHL) and the Cap Gemini Ernst & Young consulting company in Frankfurt. Between 1996 and 2001 he worked in South Korea where, among other roles, he held the position of managing director for Thyssen Haniel.