Just a few weeks after parent company – railroad conglomerate Deutsche Bahn AG -announced that logistics firm DB Schenker was dismissing charges against the carriers Nippon Cargo, SAS and Cargolux, Schenker chairman Thomas Lieb is leaving the company effective March 31. He has resigned from his position as head of business unit DB Schenker Logistics and as chairman of the management board of the company.
Deutsche Bahn AG filed suit last December against several air carriers in a long running “air cargo cartel” case, relating to alleged anticompetitive conduct by the airlines.
In a statement from the company it thanked him for his outstanding support and dedication as well as for his achievements. He assumed the chairmanship of the board in July 2008. Until a permanent successor is named, Lutz Freytag, member of the management board of Schenker AG for finance/controlling will serve as chairman of the management board on an interim basis.
Lieb will be taking on new responsibilities outside the Deutsche Bahn Group.
In a report last month in Cargoforwarder, an unidentified source at Schenker said that while discussing the issue internally with DB, the forwarder had made it clear that it was not in favor of a lawsuit, but was overruled by the parent company, Deutsche Bahn.