Jim McKelvie moves to Volvo post
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MAINSPRING behind the introduction of Volvo trucks to the UK in 1967, J. M. (" Jim ") McKelvie is giving up his post as managing director of the Ailsa Trucks Group in order to take a corporate appointment with AB Volvo, of Gothenburg. This, says the company, will allow Volvo to utilise Mr McKelvie's experience in the wider fields of their growing worldwide operations.
Jim McKelvie will remain on the Ailsa Trucks Group board as vice-chairman. His place as manag:ng director will be taken by Stig Arne Olson, aged 45, who since 1972 has been managing director of Forss-Parator AB, the Swedish trailer manufacturing company jointly owned by Volvo, Scania, Fruehauf and Incentive (the railway works associated with Saab).
As chief of Volvo's sales engineering dept in 1965-8, Mr Olson was closely concerned with the choice of the F86 for the initial Ailsa venture. He has had truck and bus design experience with Scania and Volvo—he was responsible for the design of the B59 chassis— and has also had senior posts in the products and contract sales areas.
In another important move in the truck manufacturing world, International Harvester has become more closely involved in running the Seddon MARTIN HUCKETT has been made News Editor of Commercial Motor. He succeeds MARTIN HAYES who has joined British Leyland's truck and bus group as chief press officer. Martin Huckett, who is 25, joined Cm three months ago as News Assistant after five years in the local newspaper field, latterly as editor of a paper in south-east London. Martin Hayes joined CM from Commercial Vehicles and was successively passenger transport writer, passenger transport editor and news editor. Atkinson group, 'through changes in top management.
The board of Seddon Diesel Vehicles Ltd, the parent holding company, has elected L. H. Weeks as a director. They have also appointed him vice-chairman and chief executive officer.
Mr Weeks is president of International Harvester Europe with headquarters in Paris. F. G. Woodhead, former manager of manufacturing account ing of International Harvester of Great Britain has been appointed secretary and comptroller of Seddon.
There are already two International Harvester men on the Seddon Diesel Vehicle board, both corporate vice-presidents of the US arm of the international manufacturing giant.
Seddon Diesel Vehicles Ltd has been an International Harvester subsidiary since 1974. H. Redmond will continue as chairman of the group and G. J. Redmond and D. W. Redmond will remain as joint managing directors.
In the operating world too there are management changes to report, especially in the express freight business. Brian Ford, 37, has become managing director of Wilkinson Transport Ltd and Russell Black, 36, has become deputy managing director. Both were previously regional managers and have worked for the Lex Transportation group since 1973.
In a parallel move, Eric Walters, 31, has become managing director of a new Specialised Transport Division of Lex Transportation : this comprises Bees Transport (Hinckley) Ltd, Wilkinson Van Hire Ltd and Albany Freight Ltd. Mr Walters was formerly marketing manager of Wilkinson and planning manager of Lex Transportation.
The Aussie-owned Kwikasair also announces an appointment this week. Vincent Monsey has been made sales manager to the International Division of KwikaSair Ltd, Camberley. He jcins the company at 29 after five years with Williames Transport Group, where he was manager of the company's Heathrow terminal.
Surfair Freight Services Ltd, the forwarding and storage company formed earlier this year, have appointed Trevor Brookin and Jim Milson as resident directors at their depot and warehousing complex in Leicester.
Brent Gowing has joined Western British Road Services as branch manager designate at Bridgwater. He will succeed Douglas Bowerman who retires at the end of the year after 26 years with the company.
F. J. R. Craig has been appointed a director of Christian Salvesen (Transport) Ltd.