Following the successful rebranding of the first four Colombian companies a few weeks ago, this strategic leadership appointment underscores Leschaco’s commitment to driving growth and innovation within the region.
Ensuring a smooth transition and continued excellence in operations, Mayerline will be guided into her new role by Jochen Raute, who co-founded Coltrans S.A.S. (today Leschaco Colombia S.A.S) in 1988 and still manages the company and its dedicated and talented employees today. He is planning his retirement by the end of this year.
Mayerline Santamaria Neira brings over 20 years of experience in the logistics industry, with a strong focus on sales, strategic planning, financial management and organisational development. Her in-depth knowledge of the chemicals vertical market and her close collaboration with key pharmaceutical customers in her previous roles make her an important addition to the Leschaco team.
Mayerline’s career began in 2004 at Maersk Line in Bogotá, Colombia, where she held various senior management positions. She later served as Country Operations Manager at Crane Worldwide in Bogotá. From 2011 to 2015, she was the Maritime Product Manager at DHL Global Forwarding Colombia, leading the marketing strategy for maritime products both nationally and internationally. Most recently, she was the Commercial Manager at Puerto Industrial Aguadulce, a leading container terminal at the Port of Buenaventura, where she directed the development and execution of the company’s commercial and customer service strategy, aligning it with strategic objectives.
“Mayerline’s extensive network and expertise in the Colombian logistics market, along with her proven people management skills and deep experience in business transformation, position her well to drive our growth ambitions and lead our Colombian branches towards a prosperous future. We are happy to welcome her to our team,” said Martin Sack (Regional Head Americas). “Her strong experience and strategic vision will be key to advancing our objectives and reinforcing our position in the Colombian market.”
The Coltrans Group was acquired by Leschaco (Lexzau, Scharbau GmbH & Co. KG) on December 28, 2022. Coltrans S.A.S. has been a cornerstone of the Colombian logistics market. Over decades, it has established itself as a leading player, offering a comprehensive range of global logistics services, including import and export services, customs clearance, warehousing, and intermodal transportation. With a longstanding partnership with the Leschaco Group spanning over 30 years, Coltrans has been an integral part of Leschaco’s agent network, significantly contributing to its operations in Colombia, one of the largest emerging markets in Latin America.