Wolfgang P. Albeck retires as trans-o-flex CEO

• Albeck joins the Supervisory Board and will advise GEODIS CEO Marie-Christine Lombard on the Group’s global strategic development
• Thomas Kraus, GEODIS CEO EUROPE, will take over the top management of trans-o-flex on an interim basis

Wolfgang P. Albeck has decided to retire from his role as CEO of the express service specialising in the healthcare, cosmetics, consumer electronics and other sensitive goods sectors and move to the company’s Supervisory Board. At the same time, he will use his experience from more than five decades in the transport and logistics industry to act as a personal advisor to GEODIS CEO Marie-Christine Lombard. He will advise Lombard on issues relating to the global strategic development of the Group. Albeck will hand over the management of trans-o-flex to Thomas Kraus, President & CEO EUROPE of GEODIS, by the end of January. From 1 February, Kraus will assume responsibility as trans-o-flex CEO in addition to his duties at GEODIS EUROPE until a final successor is found. He will be supported by the other two trans-o-flex Managing Directors Eugen Günther (Sales) and Michael Schmidt (Finance).

Lombard thanked Albeck for "his dedication, commitment and passion" and for the decisive impetus he has provided as CEO of trans-o-flex since 2017. "Under his leadership, trans-o-flex has managed to transform the company and become the market leader for the logistics and distribution of goods that are particularly temperature-sensitive or very valuable. Albeck has made trans-o-flex what it is today. We are very proud that we were able to take over this company last year."

Before taking over responsibility at trans-o-flex in 2017, Albeck worked for two decades at Deutsche Post DHL (DPDHL) in numerous management roles in the parcel and express organisation. Prior to that, the trained forwarding agent had worked for TNT Express for around ten years in management positions. Albeck began his career with medium-sized freight forwarders. Albeck: "In recent years, the entire trans-o-flex team has developed enormously. Together, we have been able to turn the flexible organisation with an unconditional focus on the quality of our service into the market leader in our special segment. With GEODIS as the new parent company, trans-o-flex can position itself even more strongly, especially internationally. Now is a favourable time for a generational change to take place at the top of trans-o-flex."

Before joining GEODIS, Thomas Kraus had held various management positions in sales and marketing at TNT since 1990. In 2006, he took over responsibility as CEO of TNT Innight, a multi-country organisation specialising in overnight distribution with 1,200 employees in seven countries. Following the successful turnaround of this business, he was appointed CEO of TNT Express Germany in 2007, a position he held for the following six years. In 2015, he moved to GEODIS as Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer. In 2018, he took over responsibility for the Northern, Eastern and Central Europe region. In January 2023, he was appointed CEO Region EUROPE. Commenting on the importance of trans-o-flex within the GEODIS Group, Kraus said: "With trans-o-flex, GEODIS has expanded its portfolio with a wide range of services for time-critical deliveries and offers a fast, reliable and time-definite delivery service in Germany, one of its most important market regions. The addition of the trans-o-flex network to the existing Freight Forwarding and Contract Logistics activities has significantly strengthened GEODIS‘ position in Germany. Together, we generate a turnover of almost 1.5 billion euros with more than 3,400 employees. By utilising all the strengths and resources of trans-o-flex – including the strong brand – we are creating synergies for both companies."