Austrian Post dismisses trans-o-flex chief
Austrian Post has dismissed Klaus Heinz, head of its German parcel logistics subsidiary trans-o-flex, but is not planning any change in the company’s business model, according to CEP-Research information.
“Klaus Heinz has been relieved of all his functions”, a trans-o-flex spokeswoman said. She declined to disclose the reason for the decisions but added: “A re-positioning of trans-o-flex is neither intended nor planned.”
Wolfang Weber, head of operations and formerly deputy head of the management board, has taken over as management board spokesman in addition to his existing responsibilities. The other management board members are Thomas Mohorn, head of sales and marketing, and Thomas Doll, responsible for finances.
German transport publication Verkehrs-Rundschau reported that Heinz had been dismissed following a disagreement with Austrian Post over the future positioning of the company, and a possible focus on the parcels business in future. Trans-o-flex is a “combi-freight” specialist offering both express parcel and heavier pallet deliveries, and focuses mostly on the healthcare/pharmaceuticals sector. But the magazine cited Carl-Gerold Mende, Austrian Post board member for parcels and logistics, as saying: “A re-positioning is not planned. Trans-o-flex will remain positioned as a combi-freight service provider in the market.”
Austrian Post is building up a European parcels network through acquisitions while also offering combi-freight services through trans-o-flex in Germany and several European subsidiaries. It also aims to strengthen trans-o-flex’s Eurodis cooperation network. Austrian Post bought a 74.9% majority stake in trans-o-flex in December 2006 and gained 100% ownership as of June 30, 2008. The German company had turnover of some €500 million in 2007.
