Kuehne + Nagel has recently announced top management changes. In a statement, the logistics company said its Board of Directors appointed Stefan Paul as CEO starting August 1, 2022. 

At the same time, the current CEO, Dr. Detlef Trefzger, will step down for private reasons, Kuehne + Nagel added.

 Stefan Paul, new Kuehne + Nagel CEO

"It is planned to appoint Dr. Trefzger to the Board of Directors of Kuehne + Nagel International AG, with the term following completion of his successful nine-year leadership," the firm said.

Kuehne + Nagel noted that its new CEO, Paul, is a German citizen and has been a member of the Kuehne + Nagel Management Board since 2013, currently responsible for Road Logistics and Sales.

He started his career at Kuehne + Nagel in 1990 and between 1997 and 2013, he held management positions at various logistics companies in Germany and the UK, among others.

In 2013, Stefan Paul returned to Kuehne + Nagel, where he assumed responsibility for all Road Logistics activities and was able to expand and globalise the business while increasing profitability.

"One of Kuehne + Nagel's principles is long-term company development, which includes, above all, succession planning for management positions. In view of the company’s very successful performance, the focus thereby lies on ensuring continuity. With the appointment of Stefan Paul as CEO, the global strategy and corporate culture will be sustained," said Dr. Joerg Wolle, chairman of the Board of Directors of Kuehne + Nagel International AG.

"The Board of Directors has held Stefan Paul in high esteem for many years and considers him to be an outstanding leader for the company’s future. Hence, we are pleased having been able to appoint this crucial position from inside of our top management."

Wolle then cited the leadership of Trefzger over the past years which he said helped Kuehne + Nagel achieve "excellent results."