Hutchinson appoints commercial manager

Middlesbrough-based specialist tanker operator Hutchinson Group has appointed Chris McGirr as commercial manager as it targets major national contracts across the chemicals, industrial gases and bulk liquids markets.

Chris joins after two years as general manager – chemicals at Schenk UK, where he held commercial and contractual responsibility across Northern England and Scotland.

He brings more than 30 years’ supply chain and logistics experience, including six years with Highland Spring as group supply chain and optimisation manager and earlier commercial and operational roles with Sainsbury’s.

In his new role, Chris will work alongside brothers Rhys and Nathan Hutchinson to expand the family-owned group’s customer base and strengthen its position within the Teesside process industries cluster.

Chris 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.

“That opportunity is already being demonstrated. 

“The recent expansion of our work with Univar Solutions shows that major chemical businesses are prepared to place more work with Hutchinson. 

“My role is to build on that and help the business win more national contracts.

“Chemicals will be a major part of our growth, but the market is changing too. 

“I also want to help develop Hutchinson’s position in renewable and lower-carbon products as those markets develop. 

“The North East is a particularly exciting and fast-developing region, and Hutchinson is well placed to be part of that.”

Chris’ appointment comes as Hutchinson looks to increase its share of the chemicals market, secure larger national contracts and build its presence in emerging renewable and lower-carbon supply chains.

The group provides specialist tanker transport alongside commercial vehicle and tanker maintenance through Hutchinson Technical Services.

Rhys added: “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.

“Chris joining us strengthens the team and is an important step in where we want to take Hutchinson.”

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