January 2003

newsmakers

• Swisslog’s board of directors has appointed Remo Brunschwiler as the company’s new CEO, effective March 1. Brunschwiler was the head of the Eurocargo business and a member of Danzas Management AG’s executive board. Swisslog, which describes Brunschwiler as “a logistics and pharmaceutical product expert and proven manager with international experience,” says he will guide the company’s operational management through the process of optimization and integration. Brunschwiler replaces Juhani Anttila, who had been CEO and delegate of the board of directors since 1996. Anttila, chairman of the board of directors of Ascom AG, took over the function of CEO of that company as well on Jan. 1, 2003. He will remain a member of Swisslog’s board of directors.

• Robert C. Kennedy has been named the new chief executive officer of 7Hills Global Systems, a supply chain solutions provider. The company’s founder and former CEO, Sitaram Geddam will now serve as chief technology officer. Kennedy, who brings more than 20 years of experience in the supply chain software and services industry, is noted for his expertise in warehouse management systems. Prior to joining 7Hills, Kennedy was one of the founding partners of MARC Global Holdings, a supply chain execution systems and services company. 7Hills Global Systems is a U.S. subsidiary of 7Hills Business Solutions, a company based in India that specializes in supply chain software development.

• FedEx Freight Corp. has named several executives to head up its regional less-than-truckload (LTL) operating companies. Patrick (Pat) L. Reed, who was corporate vice president and chief operating officer for FedEx Freight East, has been named president and CEO of the carrier. He replaces Thomas (Tom) R. Garrison, who is retiring. Keith Lovetro, who was senior vice president of FedEx Freight West, has been named president and CEO. He replaces Tilton G. Gore, who is also retiring. Reed joined FedEx Freight East, formerly known as American Freightways, in 1996. Lovetro joined FedEx Freight West, formerly known as Viking Freight, in 1994.

  As a member of the FedEx Corp. family of companies, FedEx Freight is a $2 billion regional LTL freight services subsidiary of FedEx Corp.

  In a separate appointment, FedEx Freight named Debra Phillips managing director of communications. This is a new position reporting to Dennie Carey, senior vice president-marketing for FedEx Freight. Phillips, who served as executive director of NASSTRAC, a shipper organization, for the past three years, will be responsible for internal and external communications.

• G-Log, a provider of global logistics and transportation software, has appointed Chris van der Harst managing director of its EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) region. His responsibilities include overseeing all sales, marketing, implementation and support services activities.

  Van der Harst comes to G-Log with 18 years of experience in the supply chain and logistics market, including assignments for the Descartes Systems Group and webMethods.