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.
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 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.
Situated 14 kilometers from the shores of Europe, the Tanger Med port complex is the Mediterranean’s leading container port and a crucial component of Morocco’s ability to compete logistically. In response to growing demand among its customers, DACHSER Morocco has opened a new warehouse in this dynamic area.
In response to the restricted air freight capacity situation caused by COVID-19, DACHSER Air & Sea Logistics has drawn up a charter contingency plan. As a result, customers can currently rely on a robust and reliable premium flight service from Frankfurt to China.
Brexit – what does it mean for Air & Sea Logistics?
We face the possible event that the United Kingdom will leave the European Union by the end of October 2019.
This will affect shipments from and to the UK and delays are to be expected. Reasons are amongst others that a higher percentage of shipments has to be processed by customs authorities and that European shippers might switch to Air Freight to avoid border controls.
We expect delays particularly for shipments that do not move into the UK directly or out of the UK directly but via continental Europe. For example if Sea Freight shipments are unloaded in Rotterdam and then forwarded to the UK via truck and ferry:
Fiscal representation in continental Europe will no longer be possible for goods to the UK. Instead, a transit procedure must be opened.
The expected problems in Calais/Dover will cause delays in the delivery of goods to the UK.
Incoterms for subsequent deliveries from the EU to the UK may also have to be converted if necessary, as costs for customs clearance have to be included.
Therefore we strongly suggest to ship directly to the UK whenever possible, at least for some time following the Brexit until things clear up.
In addition to that, you can also find a “Brexit checklist” here.
DACHSER offers parcel services via Global Sky Express
Due to the current special times in dealing with COVID-19, consumer behavior has shifted strongly to online commerce which leads to an even higher utilization of the courier / express sector, especially during the festive seasons. To provide convenience for our customers, DACHSER is offering an add-on service – Global Sky Express – in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand for the dispatch of promotional goods or large one-off consignment volumes.