The retirement of Kruger has seen Toll Group replace its managing director and also appoint a new chairman
Toll Group has announced major changes to its top-level personnel; unveiling Michael Byrne as its new managing director and former Asciano chief John Mullen as its new executive chairman.
The appointment of Byrne comes after the retirement of Brian Kruger, who has ended his time with the company after five years as managing director and eight with the company.
Bringing 14 years of CEO experience from three companies, most recently as the CEO of Coates Hire and before that the CEO of Linfox Logistics from 2006 to 2014, Byrne says the opportunity is “tremendously exciting and a great privilege.”
“Toll is a wonderful 128-year-old global company with much history and much potential under Japan Post’s ownership to expand its already leading position in the Australian logistics market as well as overseas,” he says.
“I am in particular looking forward to meeting our customers across the world to learn how we can serve them even better.”
The retiring Kruger, who will remain available to the company over a handover period, says his time at Toll has been “an honour”.
“The acquisition by Japan Post 18 months ago was a clear highlight for me and I have enjoyed being involved in the successful integration of the two companies,” Kruger says.
The arrival of Byrne comes alongside the announcement of Mullen as the company’s new chairman, who used his first comments to thank Kruger and welcome the retiree’s replacement.
“I have known Brian for many years and greatly respect the contribution that he has made to Toll and to the logistics industry,” Mullen says.
“Brian has led a number of transformational changes at Toll over the last five years and his unwavering focus on the importance of safety has become deeply ingrained across Toll’s 30,000 strong workforce.
“We thank Brian for his tremendous contribution to the company and wish him every success in the future.”
On Byrne, he says the company is “delighted to have an executive of his calibre”.
“Michael has an excellent track record in our industry and we are sure will lead Toll to new levels of performance and customer excellence in the years to come,” Mullen says.
Both appointments are effective as of January 1.