Dr. Wilhelm BENDER

Dr.-jur. Wilhelm Bender, Chairman of the Executive Board of FRAPORT AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwidespoke about the success factors of global, efficient management of complex processes and innovations in an integrated service company and why everything in transportation and logistics is nothing if capacities do not grow

Dr. Wilhelm Bender has been Chairman of the Executive Board of Fraport AG since January 1993. After graduating from the humanistic Heinrich-von-Gagern-Gymnasium in Frankfurt am Main, he began studying law and economics in Frankfurt am Main. This was followed by a doctorate in law at the Justus Liebig University in Giessen. Bender held various positions at Deutsche Bahn from 1974 to 1984 and was subsequently Managing Director of the industry association "Verkehrsforum Bahn" until 1990. From 1990, he held positions as Chairman of the Management Board of the major freight forwarder Schenker, member of the Management Board of Schenker-Rhenus AG and Chairman of the Management Board of Schenker Waggon- und Beteiligungs AG. In his position as Chairman of the Executive Board, Bender has been in charge of the Fraport Group with the Aviation, Ground Handling, Retail & Properties and External Activities business segments since 1993. Reporting directly to him are the Strategic Business Unit Ground Services, the central divisions Marketing, Strategy, Committees, Corporate Communications, Central Purchasing and Construction Procurement as well as Internal Audit. Bender floated Frankfurt Airport on the stock exchange in 2001. He is pushing ahead with the internationalization of the company and the expansion of the airport.

Fraport AG is one of the leading international groups in the airport business and operates Frankfurt Airport, one of the most important air traffic hubs in the world. As an experienced airport manager, Dr. Wilhelm Bender presents the idea and implementation of an integrated full-service provider and explains why it is so important that the range of services offered by a globally active company should not only focus on the core areas, but should also be oriented towards customer benefits. Fraport AG not only provides all services related to flight operations, but is also a competent partner for airport retailing and real estate development. Dr. Bender makes it particularly clear what "lean" means from the perspective of an integrated service provider and that ensuring safe, efficient and high-quality processes is of crucial importance.

Status: Beginning of 2008