On Thursday, November 13, 2014 approximately 100 executives from the British, Chilean, French, German and Irish American Business Councils gathered to Meet the CEO of BDP at The Westin Hotel. BDP is one of the largest privately held global logistics providers in the world. It is a family owned, non-asset based firm with headquarters in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Company is a recognized leader in the global shipping industry, with a total of 133 owned and joint venture offices, and an additional 195 offices in its Global Network group. These offices give BDP a presence in nearly 135 countries around the world, and employ approximately 4,000 supply chain professionals.
The honored guest, Richard J. Bolte, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BDP International spoke about BDP’s history and business practices. His formative experience at BDP centered on ocean exports and supply chain management, with particular emphasis on business operations. Mr. Bolte was Vice President of the company’s Northeast Region before taking the position of Chief Operating Officer. In 1996, he was named President of BDP International; in 2006, he became CEO following the passing of his father, BDP’s Founder and Chairman; and in 2013, he became Chairman of the Board.
During the past decade Mr. Bolte has been instrumental in the strategic development of BDP’s Global Network of wholly-owned subsidiaries and joint ventures in the Pacific Rim, Canada, Mexico, the UK, South America, the Middle East and Europe. Under his leadership during the past five years, BDP acquired logistics firms in Germany, France, Belgium and Italy; formed a strategic partnership in Japan; a joint venture in Qatar; and opened offices in China, Dubai, Korea and The Netherlands. In 2005, BDP acquired The Elite Group, a Houston-based logistics firm specializing in the chemical industry. With a keen sense of the changing dynamics of the logistics business environment, Mr. Bolte led the establishment of an independent supply chain consulting unit. Under the name Centrx, a BDP knowledge venture, the firm brings a diverse portfolio of strategic skill-sets to meet the growing demand for Lead Logistics Provider services and other process analyses and network design expertise among multi-national enterprises.
Mr. Bolte’s personal discussion of his family’s business; his detailed explanation of the global climate and trends; and how BDP has grown and changed with the times was fascinating. BDP’s success rests on a combination of factors, and in the CEO’s own words:
First, we listen to our customers, and then go the extra distance to provide the best and most appropriate service possible. Second, we continue to invest in our company with aggressive initiatives such as the global integration of our technologies and employee training, so we’re prepared to face tomorrow’s challenges and best serve our customers worldwide. Doing what’s right today while keeping our eye on the future is what keeps BDP moving forward in a positive direction.
The evening concluded with a dynamic question and answer session led by Mr. Bolte; a business card raffle draw for various exciting prizes, and networking.
Click here for access to photos from this event.
