ESC elects new Chairman

Denis Choumert, Procurement and Logistics Director of Ciments Calcia managing such activities for all French and Belgium affiliates of Italcementi Group/Ciments Français, was elected Chairman of the European Shippers’ Council today.

Mr Choumert, well known in the French and Benelux transport and logistics industry, has been a long standing member of the French Shippers’ Council of which he is also the President. On accepting the chairmanship he said “shippers should seek to have a stronger voice in Europe; the competitiveness of European industry relies on extended, efficient and sustainable supply chains. It remains a priority to increase this efficiency through better integration of the modes and optimising the functioning of each single mode. At the same time we see the costs of logistics increasing whilst being confronted with serious issues such as climate change, pollution and security threats. This is impacting the competitiveness of European industry. We cannot sit by and let this happen.

“I look forward to working with the ESC team in what are challenging times. One of our priorities will be to fully assess the implications on business of the new framework for the EU from the Commission’s Transport Policy which will be launched shortly by the European Commission. There is still a vital role to perform in shaping the detail of the EU’s policy to the benefit of industry in a socially and environmentally sustainable manner.”

Mr Choumert also thanked his predecessor, Mr Dick van den Broek Humphreij, for his outstanding efforts, commitment and leadership of the ESC over the last 10 years.