Hutchinson Group has appointed Chris McGirr as Commercial Manager as the Middlesbrough-based specialist tanker operator steps up its plans to win major national contracts across the chemicals, industrial gases and bulk liquids markets.
McGirr joins Hutchinson following two years as General Manager – Chemicals at Schenk UK, where he held commercial and contractual responsibility across Northern England and Scotland.
His remit covered a 24/7 operation involving around 150 drivers and units and 250 tankers, alongside responsibility for customer contracts, new business development and commercial performance across multiple sites.
He brings more than 30 years of supply chain and logistics experience, including six years with Highland Spring as Group Supply Chain and Optimisation Manager and blue-chip experience with Sainsbury’s Supermarkets across both commercial and operational roles.
That gives McGirr experience from both sides of major transport contracts, managing complex logistics operations as well as working within large manufacturers and understanding what customers expect from their transport partners.
His appointment comes as Hutchinson looks to increase its share of the chemicals market, strengthen its position within the Teesside process industries cluster and compete for larger national contracts.
McGirr 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.”
Hutchinson remains family-owned and is led by brothers Rhys and Nathan Hutchinson, who are closely involved in the day-to-day running of the business.
The group provides specialist tanker transport across chemicals, industrial gases and bulk liquids, alongside Hutchinson Technical Services, its commercial vehicle and tanker maintenance operation.
Rhys Hutchinson said:
“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.”
McGirr will work alongside Rhys and Nathan Hutchinson as the group develops its customer base across chemicals, industrial gases and bulk liquids and builds its position in emerging renewable and lower-carbon supply chains.