Schenker moves ahead with Iberian integration of Spain-Tir

THE merger of the Spanish logistics services provider Spain-Tir is enabling Schenker to provide customers with a procurement and distribution network at 72 more locations on the Iberian Peninsula.

"By linking Spain-Tir's strong national network and its international transport operations with the closely linked transport network of Schenker, we are giving customers a clear competitive advantage," said Hans-Joerg Hager, Schenker's board member responsible for European land transport.

"Our customers can now benefit from improved end-to-end services in Europe, from Portugal right through to Siberia, and from Finland to Sicily, all from a single source," he said.

A Schenker statement said that commercial and industrial companies in Spain and Portugal can now make use of its European network to serve Scandinavia and Eastern Europe through the development of additional services.

The integration of Spain-Tir with Schenker and further development of the Spanish organisation, with more than 1,500 employees, will be directed by a board of managers drawn from both companies, under Lluis Gay i Mundo, chairman of Spain-Tir and president of the new company Schenker Iberica SA.

The company's air and ocean freight business will be handled by Rafael Lopez-Chapi, while Juan Martin will be responsible for sales. In the land transport area Lluis Gay is responsible for international transport, and Ernest Obach for the national network, with sales being managed by Paco Gay. Frank Gutzeit remains managing director with responsibility for Portugal, where the Spain-Tir subsidiary Pantrans is being integrated. An officer will shortly be appointed to manage the area of Contract Logistics.

The challenge facing management will be integrating Spain-Tir with Schenker's worldwide network, as well as to make the entire range of Schenker's services available to Spanish and Portuguese customers, the company statement said.