Tobias Burger to be COO, Air & Sea Logistics, Dachser

Dachser is setting the course for future growth in its Air & Sea Logistics (ASL) business through long-term succession planning.

Tobias Burger (45) will succeed Edoardo Podestà (60) as COO, Air & Sea Logistics and member of the Executive Board, effective January 1, 2024, says an official release. After a Dachser career spanning 20 years, a little over four of them at the helm of ASL, Podestà will step down from active working life at the end of 2023, the release added.

"Tobias Burger is an experienced logistics strategist and we are helping him prepare to take his seat on Dachser's Executive Board," says Bernhard Simon, Chairman, Dachser Supervisory Board. "With his holistic, forward-thinking logistics outlook, he will prove a valuable addition to our Executive Board team. Burger will also be in charge of all of Dachser's marketing activities. This means we will be best placed to proactively address complex market changes, particularly in air and sea freight, and to position ourselves accordingly."

A former management consultant, Burger joined Dachser in 2009. As Deputy Director, Air & Sea Logistics, Burger has served as Podestà's right-hand man since 2019, the release said. "During this period, he was first put in charge of ASL global sales, a position whose responsibilities currently include strategic development for the entire business field. Since 2021, he has also been leading the ASL EMEA business unit."

Effective January 1, 2023, Burger will hand over the role of Managing Director, ASL EMEA to Marc Meier.

Meier (53) joined Dachser on October 1, 2022. He has served as CEO of Hamburg-based air freight forwarder Senator International until it was acquired by Maersk in 2021, the release said.

"In Marc Meier, we have gained a seasoned air and sea freight manager with an international reputation," says Burkhard Eling, CEO, Dachser. "He is the ideal person to guide our ASL business in the EMEA region to a successful future. And dovetailing this business with our European overland transportation network will lead the way to further growth."

"Roman Müller knows the Asian markets and their requirements inside out," says Eling. "In all his previous positions —especially those in sales— he achieved outstanding success and helped advance our presence in Asia. So, he is ideally placed not only to continue the stellar development of the ASL APAC business unit but also to take it to a whole new level by focusing even more on offering integrated services."