Thomas L. Gallagher | Sep 10, 2009 2:44PM EDT
American Commercial Lines will realign its transportation services division, bringing operations management closer to employees and customers.
The move to reduce costs, improve efficiencies, and streamline communication comes after the company lost $5.5 million in the first quarter and $3.8 million in the second quarter due to low barge sales and soft demand for river transportation.
The company is realigning its transportation services business into two regional divisions. The southern division, based in Harahan, La., will include the company’s network south of Baton Rouge, La. The northern division, including the rest of the network, will be based in Cairo, Ill.
Mario Munoz, previously vice president vessel operations, will serve as vice president and general manager southern division. Bill Foster, previously director of barge maintenance, will become vice president and general manager northern division. Prior to this realignment, this level of leadership was at headquarters in Jeffersonville, Ind. Vice President and General Manager of Transportation Services Bill Braman will continue to lead the group there.
“With this realignment, we will continue to reduce costs, improve efficiency in the organization, and move the company’s leadership closer to our employees and our customers. We will have improved communication, more informed and streamlined decision making, and greater accountability. All of these elements will generate significant operational improvements for our customers,” said Mike Ryan, president and CEO of ACL.
The realignment of the Transportation Services Division is expected to be completed in early October.
Contact Thomas L. Gallagher at tgallagher@joc.com.
