Global supply chain services provider UTi Worldwide has appointed Ditlev Blicher as president, Asia-Pacific. Blicher, who will be based in Shanghai, succeeds Brian Dangerfield, APAC president since 2010, who is leaving the company for personal reasons. Blicher moves over from Ceva Logistics where he was vice-president, Group Operations. There he was responsible for implementing the company’s standardisation of global freight forwarding systems.

“Ditlev brings to UTi a proven track record of success in China, as well as experience in global operations transformation,” said Ed Feitzinger, executive vice-president, global operations. “He has a unique combination of on-the-ground experience in Europe, Asia and the Americas, and has depth in sales as well as forwarding operations. We look forward to leveraging his significant expertise and the positive signs of recovery in the region to increase the trajectory of UTi’s growth.”

Asked about his decision to move to UTi Worldwide Blicher said the company was "a sweet spot for change" and highlighted the company's global scale but also its nimbleness in driving change with the client.

"More importantly, I found a mangement team poised to make the required changes to captialize on this position," he said.

"Operating in the rapidly evolving Asian automotive theatre, logistics providers have to be able to think on their feet while bringing world class operations excellence and solutions," Blicher told Automotive Logistics News. He said that the Asian automotive sector was a top priority for the company. "Recent successes in almost all key automotive markets in Asia by UTi tells me we have the right ingredients for success in the region. It will be my job to continue and further accelerate this growth," he said.

UTi provides supply chain services 10 different business sectors and automotive is one its strongest performing verticals.