Early career
Born in Melbourne, grew up in Germany. Started as an apprentice with DB Schenker in Stuttgart in 1978 — domestic transport, fairs, events, European trucking and rail.
Transferred to DB Schenker Sydney in 1985 as manager of ocean freight. By 1991, General Manager NSW, heading an organisation of more than 100 staff.
Sydney 2000 Olympics
In 1999, Ron was appointed Global Director for the Sydney Olympic Games at DB Schenker. He secured the contract as official international freight logistics provider — one of the largest peacetime logistics exercises ever undertaken.
700+ staff across 8 locations. Flawless execution.
CEO, DB Schenker Australia/NZ
Appointed Managing Director in 2002, then CEO in 2006. 17 years at the helm. Ron built DB Schenker Australia into the second largest operation by revenue in APAC, after China — well respected in the industry.
Under his leadership: 1,500+ staff, 25 locations, $800M+ in annual revenue with a CAGR of 5-10%. Air freight, ocean freight, contract logistics, domestic transport, projects, and events.
Key achievements:
- Gorgon LNG Project — moved over 1 million freight tons of cargo in a 4-year period. Offices in Scotland, Thailand, Perth and Barrow Island for 250 staff. The largest project globally for DB Schenker ever
- Bax Global merger — led full AU/NZ integration after DB acquired the global logistics provider in 2006, with significant cost reductions and synergies
- SB International acquisition — Christchurch, 2017. Successful integration with cost reductions
- Expanded 3PL footprint to 20 warehouses, 280,000 sqm
- Cool chain warehouse strategy — accelerated to Top 10 FIATA export forwarder for perishables
- Managed relationships with major global companies across vertical markets — automotive, aerospace, electronics, consumer goods & retail, healthcare, perishables & food logistics, oil and gas projects, renewable projects
German-Australian relations
Chairman and Board member of the German-Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for 11 years (2007-2019). Led Australian trade delegations to Germany with Lucy Turnbull (president), arranged the German APAC conference with Mathias Cormann (Australia's Finance Minister), and hosted senior political figures including Chancellor Angela Merkel during the G20 meeting in 2014.
Awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 2016 — recognising his contribution to bilateral trade and the German industry in Australia.
Today
Since 2019, Ron operates RMK Consultancy Pty Ltd from Sydney — providing consulting, M&A advisory, and executive search services to the freight and logistics industry.
He is the Australian partner for WCL (Worldwide Consultants in Logistics, Germany), a Non-Executive Director at National Intermodal Pty Ltd, and a consultant to EnergyCo (NSW Government) supporting the logistics for the energy transition to renewables.