Dr. Tobias Burger becomes COO Air & Sea Logistics at DACHSER
Focus on growth in global markets and integrated groupage transport
Since the turn of the year, Dr. Tobias Burger (46) has been the new Chief Operations Officer (COO) Air & Sea Logistics and a member of the Executive Board at logistics provider DACHSER. The former Deputy Director Air & Sea Logistics replaces Edoardo Podestà (61), who has retired from active professional life after a career at DACHSER spanning more than 20 years, the last four of which he spent leading the air and sea freight business.
The thoroughly prepared handover at the top of the Air & Sea Logistics business field reflects the targeted and long-term oriented further development of our intercontinental network," explains Bernhard Simon, Chairman of the Supervisory Board at DACHSER. "Edoardo Podestà has built up our Asian business since 2003 and has made a significant contribution to the growth of our company over the past four years as COO Air & Sea Logistics. With Dr. Tobias Burger, we now have an experienced logistics strategist at the helm of our Air & Sea Logistics organization who has a deep and holistic understanding of the complex challenges facing the global logistics markets now and in the future."
The central task of Tobias Burger as COO Air & Sea Logistics is to drive DACHSER's growth in the global markets. “We are convinced that the main impetus for our future growth will come from our business in Asia and the Americas,” says Burkhard Eling, CEO of DACHSER. “By closely interlinking intercontinental transport with our efficient European overland transport network, we want to offer our customers a comprehensive solution for groupage services around the world. This Global Groupage offering, delivered by an integrated network with comprehensive contract logistics capabilities, definitely calls for a powerful air and sea freight organization with a global presence.
This Global Groupage offering, delivered by an integrated network with comprehensive contract logistics capabilities, definitely calls for a powerful air and sea freight organization with a global presence.
Burkhard Eling, CEO of DACHSER
Burger holds a doctorate in business administration, and he began his career as a strategy consultant at Siemens Management Consulting. He joined DACHSER in 2009. After working in controlling and strategy development, he was given responsibility for Corporate Governance. At that time, he was already overseeing the strategic development of the global air and sea freight network. Burger was appointed Deputy Director Air & Sea Logistics in 2019, becoming Podestà’s right-hand man. During this time, he was initially global sales manager for the air and sea freight business. In 2021 and 2022, Burger led the ASL EMEA business unit’s operations as Managing Director with great success.
Edoardo Podestà: Two decades of growth and profitability for DACHSER ASL
Podestà concludes his successful career as a logistics manager by handing over the reins to Burger. An Italian who has lived in Hong Kong for many years, Podestà joined DACHSER in 2003 following its acquisition of a joint venture. As Managing Director, he was initially responsible for Greater China; as DACHSER’s Asian business grew, he soon took on responsibility for the entire Asia-Pacific business unit. Since 2019, he had also been at the helm of the global air and sea freight business as COO Air & Sea Logistics. “Against the backdrop of an extremely volatile market environment, he applied his depth of experience and his creativity to always chart a clear course for growth and profitability,” Eling says.
DACHSER announces new Managing Director for Greater China
Germany-headquartered logistics service provider DACHSER has appointed Kevin Chen as Managing Director Air & Sea Logistics Greater China, taking effect on July 1, 2021. He reports to Edoardo Podestà, Chief Operating Officer Air & Sea Logistics of the company and the Managing Director of DACHSER Air & Sea Logistics Asia Pacific Business Unit.
Courage and confidence are always good companions, and at the moment they are more important than ever—there seems to be no end to the challenges and crises. Amid all the uncertainty, we at DACHSER take matters into our own hands in order to get the best for our customers. The stories in the new DACHSER magazine make this clear.
COVID-19 update: Impact on DACHSER’s operations in India
Due to the outbreak of second wave of Coronavirus, we would like to give you an update about the impact on DACHSER’s operations in India. The situation as of today, April 28, 2021, is as follow:
DACHSER branches in India
Most branch offices across India are being kept closed as a precautionary measure due to the sudden rise of COVID cases. Our teams are working from home, with only skeletal staff at the offices and hence there are likely to be delays in responses due to the ongoing crisis.
As a consequence of the lockdown, there are some operational impacts for air, sea, customs clearance and domestic trucking.
Air freight
Most countries have barred passenger traffic from India leading to no passenger carrying flights operating on International routes from/to India.
This has created some additional constraint on already stressed space availability situation.
Rates are bound to inch upwards for all sectors.
Transit times too have increased as a consequence of capacity crunch.
Sea freight
Sea freight was already facing the challenges due to the Suez Canal blockage end of March.
Ports and terminals are functioning normally, but vessel schedules are impacted on account of the Suez Canal blockage as well as the sudden rise of COVID cases in India.
Delays, roll overs are expected. Customers are advised to factor in delays of 1-2 weeks while planning their inventories.
Expect more delays in communication or operations due to increasing COVID infections among staff at ports, customs, CFS and shipping lines.
Customs
We do not have any unexpected disruptions in cargo movement in India, nor is any work stoppage expected at present.
Customs clearance activities are functional at the movement.
Customs is working with less manpower, no Customs Brokers are allowed to meet the customs officials, all processes is done faceless and things are moving in slow phase.
At DACHSER, we have undertaken significant measures to ensure our employees’ health and safety, at the same time continue to manage our day-to-day operations with minimal impact to our customers’ supply chains. Our teams are working diligently by all possible means in these testing times to assist and to overcome the challenges being faced.
Please rest assured that we will keep you updated of any changes to the current situation. hould you have any concerns and/or queries, please feel free to contact your local DACHSER representative in the region.
The European Union (EU) will implement the Import Control System 2 (ICS 2) on March 01, 2023. ICS 2 will fully replace the current ICS 1 system, which has been in place for many years.