UPS has appointed Ufku Akaltan as country manager of the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. Akaltan thus replaces Tim Helsen (the Netherlands) and Fernando Falcón (Belgium and Luxembourg).
In his new role, Akaltan will be responsible for the entire operation, business development and strategy in the Benelux region. "Ufku Akaltan is an experienced leader who has already held various positions for UPS within Europe," said Carl Sturgeon, president at UPS West Europe. "The Benelux offers huge growth potential for UPS, and under Ufku's leadership we will continue to help companies achieve growth by connecting them with new opportunities through our smart global logistics network."
16-year career at UPS
Since 2002, Akaltan held various marketing roles at UPS, before being appointed marketing director of the UK, Ireland and Scandinavia in 2010. In 2013, Ufku became marketing director of UPS in Germany. His most recent position at UPS was in Istanbul, as country manager of Turkey.
Predecessors Tim Helsen and Fernando Falcón will both hold other positions within UPS. Helsen has been promoted to vice president Finance & Accounting for UPS Europe and Falcón will become country manager in Spain and Portugal.
Investments in Benelux
Akaltan's appointment follows shortly after several major investments by UPS in the Benelux countries. For example, it recently invested EUR 16 million in a new centre in Utrecht and another EUR 4 million in a new centre in Lummen. A record €130 million investment is also planned for the construction of a new sorting and distribution centre in Eindhoven, which is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2018. UPS's investments are part of a long-term investment programme until 2019, worth around USD 2 billion. The programme is aimed at creating capacity, and making UPS's European logistics network faster and more efficient.
