ZIM restructuring to focus on profitable trades

The Israeli ocean carrier says changes to its management structure and business groups should make ZIM more agile and attentive to customer needs.    ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. announced Monday an organizational restructuring that it said is “based on the company’s business plan to focus on profitable trade areas in which ZIM enjoys competitive advantage.”
   Company management said that the aim of the program is “to build a lean and agile enterprise, attentive to the needs of customers and market trends.”
   Effective March 1, the Israeli ocean carrier will be split into three distinct business units, each headed by a vice president who will report to Rafi Danieli, president and chief executive officer.
     • Pacific Unit, headed by Nissim Yochai, will oversee Zim’s trade between Asia and North and Central America;
     • Intra-Asia Unit, headed by Danny Hoffhman, will oversee trade within Asia;
     • Cross Suez – Atlantic Unit, headed by Rani Ben-Yehuda, will, will oversee trade between Asia and the Mediterranean Sea , intra-European trade (including Israel ), and the trade between the Mediterranean Sea and the Americas.
   Yochai said customers in the United States will continue to be managed by ZIM’s USA sales team.
   Rafael Ben-Ari will continue in his role as Vice President of the Shipping Unit, and in addition will be responsible for the Countries. ZIM will continue its operations in other trades with no change.
   Danieli said “the new structure strengthens the position of ZIM in the trade in which it operates and is an important element in implementing our strategic plan and in improving the level of service to our customers.”
   The news comes shortly after the company announced in early January that Danieli plans to step down from his current role as CEO. ZIM said at the time, however, Danieli will continue to serve as CEO until a replacement has been found to “help ensure a smooth transition,” and as an advisor to the company following the appointment of a new chief executive.