Specialist tanker operator Hutchinson Group has appointed Chris McGirr as commercial manager amid an ambitious plan by the Middlesbrough firm to win major national contracts in the chemicals, gases and bulk liquids markets.
McGirr joins Hutchinson from Schenk UK where he was general manager – chemicals and held commercial and contractual responsibility across Northern England and Scotland.
He brings more than 30 years of supply chain and logistics experience, including six years with Highland Spring as group supply chain and optimisation manager and blue-chip experience with Sainsbury’s across both commercial and operational roles.
McGirr said: “What attracted me to Hutchinson was the ambition Rhys and Nathan have for the business and the way they work with customers.
“They know their customers, they respond quickly and, when something changes or challenges arise, they make decisions and deal with them. You are speaking directly to the people who own and run the business.
“There is a genuine opportunity to show chemical manufacturers and distributors that there is a credible alternative to the long-established names in the market.”
His appointment comes as Hutchinson looks to increase its share of the chemicals market, strengthen its position within the Teesside process industries cluster and compete for larger national contracts.
Rhys Hutchinson said: “We want Hutchinson to be competing for major national contracts with some of the UK’s leading manufacturers and distributors.
“We already have the fleet, the people and the technical capability. Chris brings experience of managing large-scale transport operations and, equally importantly, of sitting on the customer side and understanding what businesses expect from the companies they trust with their supply chains.
“We believe there is a strong opportunity for an independent operator that can give major customers the capability they need while remaining proactive, responsive and easy to work with.”
