Transport communications

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“K” LINE Selected for the 7th consecutive year on the “A List”, the highest rating in the CDP “Climate Change”

December 14, 2022 by

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) was selected as an “A List” company for 2022, the highest rating in the CDP Climate Change Questionnaire, on December 13th.

This is the seventh consecutive year that “K” LINE has been selected as an “A List” company, after being selected an “A List” company in 2016, in recognition of its leadership in transparency and performance in corporate sustainability on climate change.

CDP is an international non-profit organization (NGO) headquartered in London that works with more than 680 institutional investors worldwide with assets totaling US$130 trillion under management in 2022. Each year, CDP sends a questionnaire to companies regarding climate change risks and opportunities and their responses. The results of the survey are then used to evaluate the companies on an 8-grade scale (A List being the highest rating). The results of the survey are used as a universal indicator to measure corporate value.

Our long-term environmental guideline named “K” LINE Environmental Vision 2050 (Note 1), sets our own GHG reduction targets that exceed those of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN), and promotes activities for the low-carbon and decarbonization of our company and society as part of the long-term management vision in our medium-term management plan.

Specifically, we are actively working to reduce GHG emissions through the introduction of LNG-fueled vessels and advanced initiatives such as the installation of the “Seawing” automated kite system, as well as through various councils and demonstration projects for the practical use of ammonia/hydrogen fueled zero-emission vessels. We are aware that our efforts to reduce the environmental impact of our business activities through the operation of our environmental management system have been highly evaluated.

This year, the number of companies certified as “A List” companies for CDP Climate Change is 283 worldwide, 74 for Japanese companies including “K” LINE.(200 worldwide, 55 for Japanese companies in 2021)

As a globally trusted logistics company rooted in the shipping industry, “K” LINE Group will continue to work to reduce its environmental impact in order to realize a sustainable society and increase its corporate value, based on its corporate philosophy of “contributing to the enrichment of people’s lives”.

(Note 1) Please see the following for details of our “K” LINE Environmental Vision 2050.

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/csr/environment/management.html

Filed Under: "K" Line

Dachser sets the course for air and sea freight

December 12, 2022 by

Dr. Tobias Burger to succeed Edoardo Podestà as COO Air & Sea Logistics, effective January 1, 2024. Successors are also lined up to manage the ASL EMEA and ASL APAC business units.

Dr. Tobias Burger

Kempten, December 9, 2022 – Dachser is setting the course for future growth in its Air & Sea Logistics (ASL) business field through long-term succession planning.

Dr. Tobias Burger (45) will succeed Edoardo Podestà (60) as COO Air & Sea Logistics and member of the Executive Board, effective January 1, 2024. After a Dachser career spanning 20 years, a little over four of them at the helm of ASL, Podestà will step down from active working life at the end of 2023.

“Dr. Tobias Burger is an experienced logistics strategist and we are helping him prepare to take his seat on Dachser’s Executive Board. With his holistic, forward-thinking logistics outlook, he will prove a valuable addition to our Executive Board team,” says Bernhard Simon, Chairman of the Dachser Supervisory Board. “Dr. Burger will also be in charge of all of Dachser’s marketing activities. This means we will be best placed to proactively address complex market changes, particularly in air and sea freight, and to position ourselves accordingly.”

A former management consultant, Dr. Burger joined Dachser in 2009. He worked in controlling and strategy development before being given responsibility for Corporate Governance. At that time, he was already overseeing the development of air and sea operations toward a seamless global network. As Deputy Director Air & Sea Logistics, Dr. Burger has served as Podestà’s right-hand man since 2019. During this period, he was first put in charge of ASL global sales, a position whose responsibilities currently include strategic development for the entire business field. Since 2021, he has also been leading the ASL EMEA business unit.

Marc Meier to head ASL EMEA from January 1, 2023

Effective January 1, 2023, Dr. Burger will hand over the role of Managing Director ASL EMEA to Marc Meier. To prepare himself for managing the regional business unit, Meier (53) joined Dachser already on October 1, 2022. As a logistics manager whose expertise includes air and sea freight, overland transport, and warehousing, he has built up more than 30 years of international experience in the logistics industry. Together with the owner, he served as CEO of Hamburg-based air freight forwarder Senator International until that company was acquired by Maersk in 2021. Prior to that, he spent over five years as CEO of Fr. Meyer’s Sohn, a forwarding agency specializing in sea freight. He began his career at Kühne + Nagel, where he held various management positions, lastly as President of the Canada country organization.

“In Marc Meier we have gained a seasoned air and sea freight manager with an international reputation. He is the ideal person to guide our ASL business in the EMEA region to a successful future,” says Dachser CEO Burkhard Eling. “And dovetailing this business with our European overland transportation network will lead the way to further growth.”

Roman Müller to take over in ASL APAC from January 1, 2024

Roman Müller

Dachser has also already planned the succession in its ASL APAC business unit. Effective January 1, 2024, Roman Müller (41) will succeed Edoardo Podestà, who has led the regional business unit with great success since 2014, and in conjunction with his other role of COO ASL since 2019. Swiss-born Müller has worked in Asia his entire career. Over the past 15 years, his management positions at Dachser include Manager of the Korea country organization and Senior Sales Manager for the entire APAC region. Since July 2021, he has served as Deputy Director Asia Pacific in the ASL APAC business unit, reporting to Podestà.

“Roman Müller knows the Asian markets and their requirements inside out. In all his previous positions—especially those in sales—he achieved outstanding success and helped advance our presence in Asia,” Eling says. “So he is ideally placed not only to continue the stellar development of the ASL APAC business unit but also to take it to a whole new level by focusing even more on offering integrated services. In 2023, he will work closely with Edoardo Podestà to chart a course for this success.”

Dachser’s Air & Sea Logistics business field employed more than 4,300 people and generated EUR 2.1 billion in revenue in 2021. It operates 139 branches in 36 countries. Dachser’s ASL 3 EMEA business unit comprises 21 country organizations with 71 locations and employs more than 2,100 people. The company’s ASL APAC business unit is represented in 11 countries, with more than 1,500 employees working across 43 locations.

About Dachser

Dachser, a family-owned company headquartered in Kempten, Germany, provides transport logistics, warehousing, and customized services in two business fields: Dachser Air & Sea Logistics and Dachser Road Logistics. The latter consists of two business lines: Dachser European Logistics and Dachser Food Logistics. Comprehensive contract logistics services and industry-specific solutions round out the company’s range. A seamless shipping network—both in Europe and overseas—and fully integrated IT systems ensure intelligent logistics solutions worldwide.

Thanks to some 31,800 employees at 376 locations all over the globe, Dachser generated consolidated net revenue of approximately EUR 7.1 billion in 2021. The same year, the logistics provider handled a total of 83.6 million shipments weighing 42.8 million metric tons. Dachser is represented by its own country organizations in 42 countries. For more information about Dachser, please visit dachser.com

Filed Under: Dachser UK

GEODIS gana el premio “Empleador internacional del año 2022” otorgado por Investors In People (IIP) por sus operaciones en España

December 12, 2022 by

GEODIS en España ha sido galardonada con el premio “Empleador internacional del año” en la categoría “Plata”, otorgado por IIP. IIP es una norma internacional que evalúa la calidad de gestión de las empresas.

Cada año, IIP premia a las empresas más eficaces en el desarrollo y la implicación de los empleados en la estrategia y la organización de la empresa.

Para conceder estos premios, IIP se basa en una serie de criterios: la capacidad de los directivos de dirigir, inspirar, potenciar e implicar a su personal, así como de recompensar y reconocer el alto rendimiento.

“Este premio es un reconocimiento a las buenas prácticas de gestión y al compromiso de cada uno de nuestros empleados en España. También es fruto del trabajo de nuestros equipos, que se esfuerzan diariamente para satisfacer a nuestros clientes”, ha declarado Ivan Sánchez, director general de GEODIS en España.

GEODIS en España cuenta con la etiqueta IIP «Plata» desde 2021, lo que le ha permitido competir por primera vez en los “Investors In People Awards 2022” y ganar el premio.

En España, la empresa cuenta con 283 empleados en 15 centros.

GEODIS – www.geodis.com   

GEODIS es un proveedor logístico lider a nivel mundial reconocido por su experiencia en todos los aspectos de la cadena de suministro. Como socio de crecimiento de sus clientes, GEODIS se encuentra especializado en cinco líneas de negocio: Optimización de la cadena de suministro, Transporte de mercancías, Logística de contratos, Distribución y transporte urgente, y Transporte por carretera. Con una red global que abarca mas de 170 países y de 44 000 empleados, GEODIS ocupa el puesto número 1 a nivel mundial y 7 en su sector. En 2021, GEODIS generó 10 900 millones de euros en ingresos. 

Filed Under: GEODIS

GEODIS adds to its capacity in Sweden

December 12, 2022 by

Leading supply chain provider, GEODIS extends its contract logistics capabilities in Sweden with the addition of a 20,000 sqm warehouse close-by its existing facility at Arendal, near Gothenburg.

Just twelve-months after establishing an operational footprint adjacent to the strategic Swedish port, GEODIS’ contract logistics line of business is expanding its capacity with a second warehouse next door to its existing 16,000 sqm facility.  With all the benefits the location just 12 km west of central Gothenburg can offer, including access to the E6 and E20 highways and the port itself, additionally the extension has a railhead within the property, clearance heights of twelve meters and thirty-five loading docks. The second warehouse will be fully operational as of March 2023.

In introducing the options for customers that the development brings, Managing Director of GEODIS in Scandinavia, Magnus Tornerhjelm said, “Our role in serving our customers contract logistics demands involves a variety of multimodal means of product supply and distribution to ultimate destinations.  Our choice of location and warehouse facilities has been influenced by these dynamics and we are well-placed to access variable transport options.”

GEODIS’ Arendal site will feature cross-dock unloading and loading activities backed by full contract logistics services of inventory control via WMS, re-packaging and distribution throughout the Nordic region.  The two warehouses will operate in harmony and access to the rail mode will be utilized fully whenever it is appropriate. The availability of extra storage capacity will also aid customers of GEODIS’ freight forwarding activities when their own yard resources are exhausted.

GEODIS’ expansion of its contract logistics business has been rapid. Thomas Kraus, GEODIS President & CEO North, East and Central Europe, commented “We are growing our footprint in Sweden in line with customer demand and our strategy for the future development.  Customer reaction to our comprehensive services has been very positive over the last year, and synergies with end-to-end management of customers’ product supply chains offered by our international freight forwarding operations have been most beneficial to them.”

In Sweden, the GEODIS group operates from 8 locations (Helsingborg, Jönköping, Borås, Norrköping, Lund, Gothenburg, Stockholm and Malmö) and employs 350 employees.

GEODIS – www.geodis.com 

GEODIS is a leading global logistics provider acknowledged for its expertise across all aspects of the supply chain. As a growth partner to its clients, GEODIS specializes in five lines of business: Supply Chain Optimization, Freight Forwarding, Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, and Road Transport. With a global network spanning nearly 170 countries and more than 44,000 employees, GEODIS is ranked no. 7 in its sector across the world. In 2021, GEODIS generated €10.9 billion in revenue.

Filed Under: GEODIS

Publication of “K” LINE REPORT 2022

December 12, 2022 by

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) is pleased to announce publication of “K” LINE REPORT 2022.

In the “K” LINE REPORT, we explain from both financial and non-financial information with the goal of helping all stakeholders, including shareholders and investors, better understand our efforts to improve corporate value over the medium to long term.

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/ir/library/report.html

Filed Under: "K" Line

Paper on Seaborne Ammonium Nitrate Safety Published

December 5, 2022 by

Global cargo handling association ICHCA International (ICHCA) focusses on helping ships transporting ammonium nitrate to manage risks in a whitepaper detailing guidance for fire prevention and mitigation.

The risks posed by poor conditions of storage of this common compound, which is used extensively in the Fertilisers and Explosives industries, have been well documented but awareness of the dangers of fire during transportation by sea is less well known.  The objective of this guide, entitled ‘Ammonium Nitrate Fire Risk on Board Ships’ is to outline best practice with respect to the management of risk on vessels chartered to ship the compound through ports around the world.

Ammonium Nitrate (NH₄NO₃), a white to grey odourless chemical has a melting point of 169 degrees C and decomposes at 210 degrees C. While it does not burn by itself, significantly it will accelerate burning of combustible material, producing toxic oxides of nitrogen and ammonia, which will support combustion, even in the absence of oxygen.

“These properties in particular demand careful consideration of how and where ammonium nitrate is stowed on board vessels that are used to ship large volumes around the world,” says the paper’s lead author Brian Devaraj, who is a member of ICHCA’s Technical Panel. “Ammonium nitrate fires can escalate out of control very rapidly. To mitigate consequential loss of life and damage, the provisions laid out in the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code) should be complied with at all times.”

The whitepaper outlines in detail ammonium nitrate’s peculiar reactions to heat and subsequent conflagration, as well as the nature of its decomposition.  These characteristics mean that the specifications of vessels’ equipment, including deck cranes, hatch covers, hold linings, fuel tanks and pumps, also forklifts and other handling devices, must be precise.  The whitepaper offers comprehensive guidance on these particulars.

Above all however from a fire prevention point of view emphasis is put on compliance with IMDG Code, which typically requires ammonium nitrate to be stowed on deck only.  The Code does however allow an exception for certain forms of the compound and fertiliser containing it to be stowed under deck.  The rules for this are outlined in clause 7.6.2.8.4.

“This seemingly unremarkable clause is in fact crucial to safe shipping of ammonium nitrate,” explains Devaraj in the whitepaper. “7.6.2.8.4 states that certain UN Numbers of the product may be stowed under deck in a clean cargo space capable of being opened in an emergency, including need to open hatches in case of fire to provide maximum ventilation and to apply water.  This of course precludes a hold containing ammonium nitrate to be over-stowed with another cargo.” 

The whitepaper is at pains to underline that while all IMDG clauses are pertinent to fire risk, all ships and cargo operators must be particularly cognisant of Clause 7.6.2.8.4. as it is crucial to the ability to respond effectively if an ammonium nitrate fire on board a ship is out of control and the risk of an explosion is imminent.

The intention of the clause is that all a vessels’ hatches – including tween decks- shall be openable in case of an ammonium nitrate fire. There is however potential to misunderstand this point and ICHCA is working with the IMO and stakeholders to clarify the wording of the clause.  Several jurisdictions, that handle the product in significant quantities, have taken heed of this risk and the related IMDG requirements. At the time of publishing, three countries that have specific arrangements are Australia, South Africa and Chile. The guidance of these authorities is contained within the whitepaper which is available for free download until Friday 9 December 2022:

Paper on Seaborne Ammonium Nitrate Safety Published

About ICHCA International

Established in 1952, ICHCA International is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving the safety, productivity and efficiency of cargo handling and movement worldwide. ICHCA’s privileged NGO status enables it to represent its members, and the cargo handling industry at large, in front of national and international agencies and regulatory bodies, while its Technical Panel provides best practice advice and develops publications on a wide range of practical cargo handling issues.

Operating through a series of national and regional chapters, including ICHCA Australia, ICHCA Japan and Correspondence and Working Groups, ICHCA provides a focal point for informing, educating, lobbying and networking to improve knowledge and best practice across the cargo handling chain.

www.ichca.com

Filed Under: ICHCA

GEODIS awarded “Strategic company” of the year by the Sovereignty Initiative of the Institut Choiseul

December 1, 2022 by

The “Strategic company” Prize rewards a major French company that has played an eminent role for national sovereignty.

The Institut Choiseul, an independent think tank dedicated to the analysis of contemporary strategic issues and international economic questions, has presented Marie-Christine Lombard, Chairwoman of the Executive Board and CEO of GEODIS, with the “Strategic Company of the Year” award as part of the Sovereignty Initiative. This initiative brings together high-level decision-makers to address strategic issues affecting national and European sovereignty. 

Pascal Lorot of the Choiseul Institute presents the “strategic enterprise” award to Marie-Christine Lombard

This prize rewards GEODIS for its eminent role in French sovereignty. As a global leading transport and logistics provider, the Group is an essential contributor to the world economy. It plays a decisive role in boosting the growth and competitiveness of French companies internationally and supports the relocation of certain strategic industries in France.

The vital nature of logistics was clearly demonstrated during the health crisis. GEODIS leveraged its expertise to set up an emergency airlift between China and France for the delivery of masks. Months later, the Group also supported the vaccination campaign by supplying vaccines throughout the country. This enabled France to keep control of the autonomous supply and distribution of these essential products.

Receiving the “Strategic Company” award for GEODIS, Marie-Christine Lombard declared: “On behalf of the 45,000 employees of GEODIS, we are very proud to receive this award, which recognizes our role as a strategic company. It is also an opportunity to highlight our business sector, because without transport and logistics, the economy would come to a standstill. This is the reason why France must have a national logistician of international scope.”

About Marie-Christine Lombard

Marie-Christine Lombard joined the GEODIS Group as CEO in 2012, before becoming Chairwoman of the Executive Board a year later. She has held senior management positions in the international transport and logistics sector for over 22 years. Since 2013, the Group’s turnover has grown from €6.9 billion to €11 billion by 2021.

GEODIS – www.geodis.com 

GEODIS is a global leading transport and logistics provider recognized for its commitment to helping clients overcome their logistical constraints. GEODIS’ growth-focused offerings (Supply Chain Optimization, Freight Forwarding, Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, and Road Transport), coupled with the company’s truly global reach thanks to a global network spanning nearly 170 countries, is reflected by its top business rankings: no. 1 in France and no. 7 worldwide. GEODIS employs over 44,000 people globally and generated €10.9 billion in revenue in 2021.

Filed Under: GEODIS

Dachser Strengthens Management Structure in the UK

December 1, 2022 by

Northampton, 1st December 2022

Dachser UK has recently announced two new appointments designed to strengthen its business growth potential in the UK and Ireland. Mark Cosgrove fills a newly created role as Regional Sales and Commercial Manager responsible for both countries in a move that will bolster the Company’s ambitious growth plans, while Chris Radley as Branch Manager, Air & Sea Logistics, Northampton assumes full responsibility for Dachser’s Air & Sea Logistics (ASL) activities across the UK.

Changing trading conditions for exporters and importers in both the UK and Ireland have brought new opportunities for customers which Dachser’s extensive road distribution services within Europe, as well as its logistics capabilities, can help them exploit. Cosgrove’s lengthy management experience will strengthen the UK and Irish subsidiary of Europe´s second largest distribution company in the groupage market segment coordinating key customer relationships. Radley’s task will be to build on the momentum created by record growth in its ASL business unit last year.

Mark Cosgrove

In announcing the appointments Mark Rollinson, Dachser UK’s Managing Director said, “Mark Cosgrove has an enviable depth of experience in the UK and Ireland’s road logistics market. I am convinced that his expertise in the sector along with his extensive market knowledge will be instrumental in the development of our services over the coming years, and will add significantly to the growth of our business in the UK and Ireland.”

Having most recently held the post of Head of Commercial Land Transport within the UK and Ireland cluster with DB Schenker and a previous twenty five year career with Redhead International, where he spearheaded that organisation’s development into one of the market leaders in the UK/Ireland trade lane, Cosgrove is well-placed to enhance Dachser’s role in the current competitive trading environment.

Cosgrove is relishing the challenges of his new role, “Dachser’s reputation in the European distribution and logistics arena is undoubted. We are the leaders for quality and innovation in the market and thrive on the reliability of our services,” he said. “New opportunities abound, especially given our significant investment in our customs infrastructure and I am confident that with the accomplished team of professional sales and customer service people already in place, we can help grow our customers’ business as well as our own.”

Chris Radley

Radley has nearly thirty years’ experience within the forwarding sector. Highly qualified, he has a career spanning both large and small ocean and air forwarding organisations with an extensive period holding both operational and commercial roles with DHL Global Forwarding. Recent and continuing dynamic conditions that characterise global trade offer many opportunities for shippers to re-configure their supply chains to their economic advantage. Radley will lead Dachser’s assistance to customers with the multiple service options that the Company offers across Europe which will play a significant part in such re-engineering when needed.

Commenting on Radley’s role Mark Rollinson commented, “The growth trend of ASL provides us with an ideal opportunity to invest further in this element of our business. The international freight forwarding sector continues to be an attractive market and the synergies we can offer customers with our interlocked ASL & European Road distribution and logistics services are highly beneficial. Chris will be taking a leading role bringing these offerings to the market”

About Dachser:

Dachser, a family-owned company headquartered in Kempten, Germany, provides transport logistics, warehousing, and customized services in two business fields: Dachser Air & Sea Logistics and Dachser Road Logistics. The latter is divided into two business lines, Dachser European Logistics and Dachser Food Logistics. Comprehensive contract logistics services and industry-specific solutions round out the company’s offerings. A seamless shipping network—both in Europe and overseas—and fully integrated IT systems provide for intelligent logistics solutions worldwide.

Thanks to some 31,800 employees at 376 locations all over the globe, Dachser generated consolidated net revenue of approximately EUR 7.1 billion in 2021. The same year, the logistics provider handled a total of 83.6 million shipments weighing 42.8 million metric tons. Dachser is represented by its own country organizations in 42 countries on five continents. For more information about Dachser, please visit dachser.com

Filed Under: Dachser UK

Demystifying General Average

November 30, 2022 by

International freight transport insurer TT Club’s latest StopLoss publication, produced in collaboration with forwarder’s association, FIATA and the Global Shippers Forum (GSF), provides a straightforward summary of the topic, along with essential good practice advice. 

London 30th November, 2022

While the concept of General Average (GA) is widely utilised and is as old as maritime transport itself, it is a commonly misunderstood process. Its application as a result of a maritime accident often takes shippers (beneficial cargo owners, BCOs), and sometimes forwarders by surprise. Especially those without adequate cargo insurance.  GA’s complexities, owing to the amount and variation in value of cargo onboard modern-day large container ships, can be baffling.  The additional financial burden and extended delays in cargo delivery are also frustrating. 

“This situation gave TT and our partners ample motivation to create one of our StopLoss advisory publications on the issue, as there is obviously a need for a clear explanatory guideline,” said Mike Yarwood, MD of Loss Prevention at TT.  “Experience shows that the system is an effective means of dealing with large and complex casualties.  However with container ships now capable of carrying in excess of 23,000 TEU, GA adjustment is likely to be an extremely complex calculation and the administrative burden placed on the interested parties is significant.

GA is a globally applicable legal principle of maritime law by which extraordinary additional expenditure incurred during a voyage because of a defined incident can be recovered from all parties involved in the ‘maritime adventure’ on a pro rata basis against the ‘arrived’ value of goods and other property aboard.

“The concept of ‘maritime adventure’ sounds quaint,” comments Yarwood.  “But describes the total group of stakeholders involved in the voyage. GA is the system whereby the ship owner can recover the extraordinary expenses that are necessarily incurred following some maritime incident, in protecting the cargo and/or preserving the ship. The costs are apportioned between the ship, its bunkers (sometimes owned by a charterer of the ship) and stores, and the cargo (including the containers) in proportion to their value.”

The StopLoss publication is directed at an audience of freight forwarders, NVOCs and BCOs explaining in detail the circumstances in which GA can be declared and who declares it, as well as the process of declaration and the appointment of a GA adjuster.  It goes on to outline the role of the adjuster including how bonds and guarantees are assessed and lodged, and how uninsured and LCL (less than container load) cargo is dealt with.

“It is essential that all freight forwarders understand GA to efficiently manage matters and set realistic expectations for their clients and represent their interests effectively.  Equally, BCOs need to understand their obligations, particularly where they have chosen not to purchase cargo insurance,” concludes Yarwood.  As such a section of the StopLoss is dedicated to the actions required by each party and includes a useful checklist of preparations each can make in anticipation of a GA declaration effecting any of their cargoes.

The StopLoss publication can be downloaded free of charge HERE

About TT Club

TT Club is the established market-leading independent provider of mutual insurance and related risk management services to the international transport and logistics industry. TT Club’s primary objective is to help make the industry safer and more secure. Founded in 1968, the Club has more than 1,100 Members, spanning container owners and operators, ports and terminals, and logistics companies, working across maritime, road, rail, and air. TT Club is renowned for its high-quality service, in-depth industry knowledge and enduring Member loyalty. It retains more than 93% of its Members with a third of its entire membership having chosen to insure with the Club for 20 years or more. www.ttclub.com

Filed Under: TT Club

C4T Strengthens C-Level Team to Accelerate Growth in Customs SaaS Sector; Appoints New CEO

November 30, 2022 by

Customs solutions provider Customs4trade NV (C4T) announces a new CEO and two key executive appointments as it strengthens its management to take advantage of accelerating growth in the UK and across Europe.

30th November 2022, Mechelen, Belgium

Customs4trade, one of Europe’s leading SaaS platforms for customs management solutions, has strengthened its management team with the appointment of Rupert Spiegelberg as its new CEO. Rupert Spiegelberg will lead the team and is joined by Chief Revenue Officer Jo Buvens, ex Salesforce and Chief Product and Technology Officer Oliver Conze, ex SAP to drive C4T management and its digital platform CAS in a new direction to accelerate growth in 2023.

L to R – Jo Buvens, Chief Revenue Officer, Rupert Spiegelberg, CEO, Oliver Conze, Chief Product Officer

Spiegelberg succeeds Pieter Haesaert, who founded C4T together with Ilse Vermeersch as a customs consultancy in 2004 before developing the CAS platform ten years later. Founders Haesaert and Vermeersch will no longer be involved in the day-to-day operational management and strategy of C4T, but remain invested in the company as shareholders together with 83North, Hi Inov, 42CAP and 10x Group. Werner Koninckx will represent the founders on the board. Werner is chairman of 3E and DeltaQ and has extensive experience in scaling SaaS businesses.

“We are extremely proud of all the C4T’ers and our partners who have been relentlessly contributing to the progress we made at C4T the last years”, Haesaert and Vermeersch said. “We thank our clients and partners for the trust they put in our hands to service them in the complex and time critical world of customs compliance. C4T is now with CAS in a fantastic position to take advantage of all the changes in the customs world that we will see in coming years.”

Spiegelberg is a 20-year veteran of SaaS (Software as a Service) scale-up businesses in the UK, mainland Europe and the US. He is joined by Buvens as CRO, formerly Salesforce’s Regional Vice President and Country Leader for Belgium and Luxembourg, and by Oliver Conze as Chief Product and Technology Officer. Conze has spent 15 years at SAP – most recently as the German technology giant’s Chief Product Officer for Marketing Cloud.

 “C4T is leading the way in driving down costs, speeding up turnaround times for UK and European importers and exporters and simplifying the hugely complex world of online customs management,” said Spiegelberg. “In taking up the role to lead C4T’s ‘A-team’ of customs experts, I will support their tireless dedication to transform our company into a champion of the sector. We will help our customers go beyond compliance to make customs and trade a strategic component of their growth.”

C4T, whose CAS digital platform manages more than one hundred thousand customs declarations every month for major brands such as Honda, Mizuno, Agristo, and many others, and delivers to customers the benefits of the increased digitisation of the customs sector as national governments across Europe move to upgrade customs systems over the course of the next couple of years.

Notes for Editors

About Customs4trade (C4T)

C4T has developed CAS, a collaborative hub, built on the Microsoft Azure platform delivered as a service (SaaS). It is designed to manage regional and worldwide customs and trade compliance quickly and accurately, with a digital-first approach, helping customers stay ahead of the digitisation of customs processes. CAS provides customers with continual updates and feature enhancements, including the incorporation of any changes to legislation and compliance regulation—along with Azure’s signature accessibility, scalability, and security.

Forward-thinking companies are turning to C4T to help them navigate customs and trade with native-cloud software and managed services for their organisation’s highest strategic benefit.  

For more information or to contact the company, please visit www.customs4trade.com.    

C4T employs about 100 people in Mechelen, Belgium and Wigan, UK and has raised funding from European venture capital companies 83North, Hi Inov and 42CAP.

Filed Under: Customs4trade (C4T)
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