Changes to the BVL Executive Committee: Robert Blackburn leaves

Blackburn, who has been a full-time board member of Stanley Black & Decker Corporation, a manufacturer of power tools based in the USA, since 2019, will not be standing for re-election at the upcoming General Meeting and ended his mandate as Chairman of the Board at the end of the meeting.

As Senior Vice President Global Operations, Blackburn is responsible for the supply chain from sourcing through all 120 factories to the end customer. This requires a presence at the company headquarters in the US state of Connecticut as well as intensive travel.

Presidium expanded
The BVL Board has taken note of Blackburn's decision with great regret, but at the same time with understanding. The board has also decided on a new formation. An expanded Executive Committee will ensure the continuity and innovative strength of the association for a transitional period and drive forward the change process that was due to take place anyway. The BVL will gradually become younger and more diverse and this will also be reflected in the management structures.

The members of the extended Executive Committee are Frank Dreeke (BLG Logistics Group), Prof. Thomas Wimmer (BVL) and Dr. Stefan Wolff (4flow). Thomas Wimmer, who was elected Chairman of the Executive Board, is suspending his duties as Managing Director for the time being. Frank Dreeke was elected Deputy Chairman of the Management Board. Wimmer will concentrate on content-related work and the operational implementation of the strategic line. Wolff as Accounting Officer and Dreeke as a member of the Finance Committee stand for the financial solidity of the organization. "We all very much regret the departure of Robert Blackburn," says Wimmer. "Robert gave 'his' BVL very important and forward-looking impetus. We had planned to work with him for at least three more years. But we respect and accept his decision, which was made out of professional responsibility. Now it's time to look ahead, rethink and be bold."

The BVL's strategic direction will be on the agenda at the general meeting on April 20 in Bremen. A number of Board members who are reaching the end of their maximum term of office in accordance with the BVL Articles of Association will also leave the Board. These are the current Deputy Chairman of the Board Joachim Limberg (NLMK Group), Karl A. May (BMW Group) and Frank Wiemer (Dirks Group).