Shawn Richard has been chosen for the newly created role at SEKO Logistics of vice president global airfreight, taking responsibility for international air procurement and maximising SEKO’s air utilisation.
He joins with 30 years of logistics industry experience and brings extensive knowledge of carrier management, procurement and cross border e-commerce, which now accounts for 50 per cent of SEKO’s airfreight volumes.
Richard began his carrier managing in bound and out bound handling operations for air carriers at New York JFK before joining the predecessor to DHL Global Forwarding in Miami and played an important role in the integration of Danzas, Exel and Airborne Express into DHL.
He later moved back to the US Northeast with Geodis, and prior to joining SEKO, held posts of chief operating officer at Worldnet Shipping USA and as Northeast regional sales manager for Delta Cargo.
Richard will report to SEKO’s chief commercial officer for the Americas, Terry Unrein, who says: “SEKO’s roots are in airfreight but the real significance today is how it is driving the growth of our cross-border eCommerce business and encouraging us to introduce home delivery products like our new Airfreight+ Final Mile service in North America.
“This comes at a time when our traditional omni-channel and white glove business are increasing our domestic and international heavyweight airfreight volumes and exceeding our expectations.”
Unrein says 2018 is already on track to be a record year for airfreight volumes so Richard’s experience will prove very useful.
He adds: “This is a great time to be joining SEKO. Our focus on airfreight has never been greater and we are a leader in a part of the market where airlines also see great growth potential, notably cross-border eCommerce.
“The fact that SEKO has a fast-growing client base of retailers and etailers – as well as in other industries such as automotive, aerospace, energy, medical, technology and tradeshows and events – means we’re looking to build stronger relationships with forward-thinking airline partners that want to talk to us.”
