DHL Supply Chain Appoints Orkun Saruhanoglu As CEO For Middle East And Africa Region

DHL Supply Chain has taken a significant step by creating a specialized Chief Executive Officer position for its operations in the Middle East & Africa (MEA), appointing Orkun Saruhanoglu to fill this role. This move marks the first time the global logistics leader has introduced a CEO role dedicated exclusively to the MEA region. Saruhanoglu will focus on strengthening the company's logistics and supply chain services across this rapidly growing corridor.

Under the new organisational structure, Saruhanoglu will operate under the guidance of Hendrik Venter, the recently appointed CEO of DHL Supply Chain. Venter, transitioning from his previous role overseeing the Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) regions, expressed confidence in Saruhanoglu's capabilities.

Venter stated, "Orkun brings strong expertise and a proven track record of enhancing end-to-end supply chain operations and customer development. His knowledge of DHL's operations and commitment to our objectives will be invaluable and he will make a significant positive impact on the board. The MEA region within DHL Supply Chain is set for accelerated growth and having Orkun in the region will provide the required level of focus."

Saruhanoglu's track record with DHL spans 27 years, during which he has held leadership roles in Türkiye and the Central & Eastern Europe (CEE) region. Notably, his tenure as CEO of CEE saw substantial growth in the inbound-to-manufacturing sector, especially within the automotive industry. Saruhanoglu also played a key role in the formation of ASMO, a partnership between Aramco and DHL, further solidifying his reputation for fostering significant business developments and nurturing customer and employee relations.

This strategic appointment aligns with DHL Supply Chain's commitment to enhancing its logistics services across the Middle East and Africa, regions identified as key growth areas. The company aims to meet the increasing demand for comprehensive contract logistics solutions, offering a range of services from warehousing and fulfillment to aftermarket support.

By focusing on sectors such as technology, automotive, aviation, and e-commerce, among others, DHL intends to cater to both multinational corporations and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the MEA region.

The broader DHL Group has also underscored its investment in the Middle East and Africa's growth potential, earmarking more than EUR 500 million for development in key Gulf markets, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. This investment reflects an understanding of the region's expanding market opportunities, driven by factors such as e-commerce growth, improving infrastructure, and foreign direct investments.