Former Kuehne + Nagel Managers Forge Alliance

Peter Ulber (52), who stepped down from the K+N Management Board at the end of 2011, has now switched to the role of entrepreneur by founding Charleston Enterprise Group based in Charleston, South Carolina (USA). See www.charlestonenterprises.com. In addition to a number of investment activities, the new company's core focus is on consulting in the areas of Growth Strategies, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Private Equity.

For many years now, Hans J. Willam (56), former Global Head of Sea Freight at K+N, has been successfully running WCL (see www.wcl.de), a globally operating consulting firm that focuses on:

- Strategic Management Consulting (incl. Risk Management)

- Executive Search and Recruitment

- Mergers & Acquisitions

Based on the extensive synergies between the two companies, the official cooperation partnership will be launched in the 4th quarter of 2012. The working title is:

Ulber + Willam – Investments in Logistics and Strategic Expansions (UW-ILSE)

"The goal we have set for ourselves is to support investors in making intelligent investments based on solid global logistics expertise," Peter Ulber says.

Hans J. Willam adds: "Success will continue to depend on which type of manager is running a company and/or which strategic direction or structure is being used. We want to provide investors with comprehensive support."

Ulber and Willam are firmly convinced that pooling their global expertise in this form essentially represents a unique selling point. Over the course of their careers, both men have lived and worked in multiple countries: Ulber in Germany, the United States, Argentina, England and Switzerland; Willam in Germany, Taiwan, the United States and France.

Investors are showing an increased interest in the logistics sector, resulting in a collision of different worlds and cultures with varying requirements. The two partners will actively work to help investors understand exactly what they need to know in order to recognize what matters in the logistics sector – including support during the investment phase, followed by the implementation and realization of previously adopted strategies.

Both parties also plan to actively consult global logistics companies in order to jointly develop sustainable growth strategies.