DB Schenker Rail tweaks structure

DB Schenker Rail tweaks structure    DB Schenker Rail, Deutsche Bahn AG’s European rail freight transport operator, said Friday it is reorganizing its management and operational structure from Jan. 1.
   The plans call for the freight rail operator to continue to be organized into three regional business segments: Germany/Region Central, Region West and Region East, as well as four pan-European divisions: sales, operations, human resources and finance.
   'The new dimension will be that the previous automotive and intermodal business segments will be integrated into the European and German sales organization,' DB Schenker said. 'The individual companies assigned to the regions will be responsible for their profit and loss.
Parallel to the structural modifications, there will also be changes in the management of the business unit and the business segments.'
   Karsten Sachsenr'der will continue as head of sales Europe and Region Central, and will also be temporarily responsible for intermodal activities. Axel Marschall will continue as head of automotive Europe.
   Christian Kuhn will be responsible for operations at the European management board level as well as in the Germany/Region Central business Segment. Kuhn is returning to DB Schenker Rail, although he will continue as a member of the IQ Martrade Holding and Management advisory board, as well as a member of the board of directors of their Indian subsidiary company, Tata Martrade International Logistics Ltd.
   Edmund Schlummer, who was head of Region Central, has decided to leave the company at the end of the year.
   “The current economic situation requires a lean organization with clearer, explicitly defined responsibilities for business results, and short decision-making paths,' said Alexander Hedderich, chief executive officer of DB Schenker Rail. 'We must restore operational and economic balance to DB Schenker Rail, especially in Germany. Our company’s numerous activities in Europe have to be linked together to form a real network in order to generate benefits for our customers and foster business success. A streamlined management structure and the clear assignment of responsibility for results within our company are the basis for achieving these goals.”