Höegh Names Heavy-Lift Specialist as VP Sales

Höegh Autoliners, the U.S. arm of the Norwegian car carrier, has appointed Matthew McKown, a specialist in sales of project and heavy-lift cargo, as its new vice president of sales and marketing.

McKown is a 12-year veteran of Höegh Autoliners and will be stationed in the company’s Chicago office.

He has previously served as regional sales manager and national sales manager for high and heavy cargo, which is the carrier’s only kind of cargo not hit by the current global economic recession.

Höegh and other global car carriers have been ramping up their sales efforts to attract more of the heavy-lift roll-on, roll-off cargos that project and engineering firms are shipping to major industrial projects that are still being developed around the world.

Ingar Skiaker, president of Höegh Autoliners, said, “His extensive background will allow him to develop a keen focus on growing our ‘high & heavy’ segment, as well as specialized and project cargo.”

McKown began his maritime career with Kuecker Steamship Services, in 1984. He moved to Norton Lilly in 1987 but returned to Kuecker in 1997 as vice president of sales.

McKown replaces James Perduto, who has left the company.

Contact Peter T. Leach at pleach@joc.com .