Dachser's management succession plan: Claus Wetzel named new Logistics Germany head

Photo: Dachser

German 3PL Dachser has named Claus Wetzel (above, left) as managing director of its European Logistics Germany unit, succeeding Andreas Fritsch.

He will take up the new role on 1 January next year and will oversee the business development of 41 branches.

The 44-year-old joined Dachser in November 2019 as head of operations for European Logistics Germany, where he was responsible for the development of uniform productivity and quality standards across all German branches.

Before joining Dachser, Wetzel worked for many years at the Raben Group, where one of his tasks was to establish and develop a dedicated network for groupage logistics in Germany, and has also held positions with P&O Ferrymasters and the Rhenania Group over the course of the past 20 years.

He will report Dachser’s COO Road Logistics, Alexander Tonn.

“The entrepreneurship of our branches is the foundation of Dachser’s success. Claus Wetzel knows the strength and full scope of our network, which is designed for sustainable growth.

“Working closely with Andreas Fritsch, he has spent the last few years acquiring the necessary skills to drive the targeted development of our German business and to continue the value-driven growth in our home market,” Mr Tonn said.

At the same time, Florian Zehetleitner (below, right) has been named the new head of Dachser’s European Logistics North Central Europe unit, taking over from Wolfgang Reinel on 1 January, who has been in the role since 2014.

He has most latterly been the unit’s deputy managing director as part of a management succession plan, and currently heads the Interlocking Recharged strategic focus program at Dachser. “

In this role, he develops and drives forward the synchronization of the Road Logistics and Air & Sea Logistics business fields. This enables the company to offer globally integrated, end-to-end logistics solutions that are optimally tailored to the customer,” company said.

He has over 20 years’ experience in logistics, including a stint with Panalpina and most recently managed the groupage and contract logistics business at BEXity Group Austria.

“Florian Zehetleitner is an internationally experienced logistics manager who will further develop and deepen cooperation with our Air & Sea Logistics business field at the European level. He will be instrumental in helping us further mine the potential offered by integrated groupage solutions to and from Europe,” Mr Tonn said.

Meanwhile, Mr Fritsch and Reinel will gradually step back from operational activities but will continue in an advisory capacity.

“The thoroughly prepared handover at the top of our European Logistics Germany and European Logistics North Central Europe business units reflects the targeted and long-term approach we take to developing managers from within our own ranks.

“Andreas Fritsch and Wolfgang Reinel both provide a stabilizing influence while at the same time driving growth,” said Dachser chief executive Burkhard Eling.