Pullan moves into CSAV hot seat

There’s a new man at the helm of Durban-based CSAV Agencies, prepared to take on the challenges facing the shipping line in the SA market on his own home ground. New GM, Lance Pullan, was born in the port city of Durban, and read for his BCom in marketing and economics and post-graduate financial management at what was then the University of Natal. He replaces Rogelio Busto, who has been transferred to CSAV Malaysia. Pullan started his shipping career as a trainee in AP Moller/Maersk’s international training scheme (MISE), and spent time with Safmarine, Maersk Line and Maersk Logistics (now Damco). During that time he specialised in intermodal transport and imports with Maersk; logistics and operations with the team involved in the takeover of P&O Nedlloyd; two years in Vietnam with Maersk Logistics; and the last three years with Damco in SA in accounts management, then in key accounts management. It was a “pretty broad range of skills”, he told FTW, and gave him “the battery of knowledge” which he is now applying to running the SA operation of the sea carrier, CSAV. Pullan’s goal in his GM role, he added, is to make CSAV “more customer-centric”. “Being on the logistics side of things,” he said, “we tend to see shipping as old-fashioned in its attitude, and not really relating to what the market needs. “Providing more services is a main focus, and improving the product range CSAV offers to its clients.” Pullan also intends to take on the challenges these “tough global trading times” have placed on the shipping industry. “CSAV’s financial stress has mostly come from the major east-west trades, and forced us to rationalise a lot of services,” he said. “But here in SA we have been doing OK, and I mean to keep it that way. “2012 will be a tough time, but nothing comes without hard work anyway.”