Hapag-Lloyd restructures executive board

Hapag-Lloyd said it has restructured its executive board.

Ulrich Kranich, 58, will be responsible for global operations in future, taking over from Adolf Adrion, 68, who is retiring at the end of the year.

After a career of over 51 years, I would like to withdraw gradually from day-to-day business and am delighted that Ulrich Kranich as an experienced practical man is taking over the operative business and continuing the successful teamwork with our customers, Adrion said. 

As executive board member Adrion will continue to perform his various functions in the maritime industry as planned up to the end of the year. Adrion is chairman of the Far Eastern Freight Conference, World Shipping Council and Box Club.

Kranich is a trained forwarding professional and graduate in business administration. He joined Hapag-Lloyd in 1975 as controller. After holding positions in cost management and controlling in Germany and other countries, he was named 1989 director of various trade departments, including the North Atlantic.

He was named head of operating for Europe in 1993 and from 1995 held the same position for North America, based in New York. A year later, he headed ship and container management. In 1997, he was appointed managing director of Hapag-Lloyd Container Line, where he was responsible for fleet expansion, global operating of the ship and container fleet and the development of shipping alliances, including the Grand Alliance. In 2005, Kranich was appointed chief representative with responsibility for the financial area.

The supervisory board appointed him chief financial officer in July 2006. He was also responsible for the information technology and human resources areas. Kranich will continue to act as director of human resources.

Michael Behrendt, 56, will be responsible for the financial department in addition to serving as executive board chairman and chief executive officer.

At its meeting today, the supervisory board appointed Roland Kirch, 36, chief representative. Kirch will head the financial area, which also includes IT. Since April, he has been managing director responsible for strategic development and thus the divestment of Hapag-Lloyd AG from TUI Group.

With this smooth transition, we are guaranteeing continuity for Hapag-Lloyd and at the same time orienting ourselves to the future, Behrendt said. 

Source: American Shipper