EUROPE: Deutsche Bahn has announced the new management team for the European rail-based logistics activities which have been grouped under the DB Schenker Rail brand. This now contains three geographic and two sector-based business units.

DB Schenker Rail encompasses the former Railion Group and English Welsh & Scottish Railway Holding Ltd, now DB Schenker Rail (UK) Ltd, as well as Spanish firm Transfesa and Italian operator Nordcargo in which DB owns stakes. Polish operator PCC Logistics is also included following the acquisition announced in January for which DB is awaiting regulatory approval.

The business is structured into West, Central and East regional businesses, and Automotive and Intermodal businesses operating across the regions. Each business is responsible for sales and operations and has profit and loss responsibility.

'With this new structure, which is designed to meet the needs of the market, we are responding to the constant pressure to consolidate on the European marketplace', said Dr Norbert Bensel, DB Mobility Logistics board member responsible for Transport & Logistics.

'Effective use of our resources will provide our customers with greater flexibility and attractive offerings. The focus of the new management team will be to improve the further integration of the rail network'.

DB Schenker Rail has around 36 000 employees, 120 000 wagons and 3 900 locomotives, and Bensel says 'we intend to further strengthen our position as the leading rail freight carrier in Europe.'

Dr Klaus Kremper is Chief Executive of DB Schenker Rail, and also heads the Central region. The other members of the management team are Karsten Sachsenröder (Sales), Matthias Reichel (Finance) and Dr Rudolf Müller (Human Resources), Chief Executive of DB Schenker Rail (UK) Keith Heller (West), Dr Christoph Wolff (East), Hans-Georg Werner (Intermodal) and Axel Marschall (Automotive