Gebruder Weiss: Regional Manager Erich Schafer retires

Erich Schafer (63), Director and Regional Manager South for Gebrüder Weiss, will retire on December 31, 2017. Wolfgang Niessner, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss, will manage the region on an interim basis starting on September 1, 2017. The South Region consists of the Gebrüder Weiss branch in Graz as well as the locations in Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro.

Successful career track in the logistics sector

Erich Schafer looks back on a remarkable career in the logistics sector. The Salzburg native started his professional career in 1969 with an apprenticeship at a Salzburg freight forwarding company. In 1980, Schafer joined Gebrüder Weiss in Salzburg, where he played a key role in the development of the branch. In the early 1990s, he was promoted to Manager of the Import Department. In 1995, he took another career step by taking over the management of the Graz branch. About 10 years later, he was named Director and in 2008, he took over as Regional Manager South for Gebrüder Weiss.

In his position as Regional Manager, Erich Schafer integrated the Serbia locations into the Gebrüder Weiss network with sustained success and promoted the expansion of locations in Croatia and Slovenia. The locations in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro were also established under his leadership. He recorded positive results in the acquisition of renowned international companies in the automotive sector.

– A great Gebrüder Weiss career is coming to an end, leaving behind impacts that will be felt for a long time to come. I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Erich Schafer on behalf of the entire workforce and wish him all the best for his retirement –  says Wolfgang Niessner on the occasion of Schafer’s departure.

Erich Schafer worked at Gebrüder Weiss for a total of 37 years.