CEO of Greenville-based ACL Airshop to step down, successor named

Listen to this article

Steve Towns has initiated what is known as an “orderly retirement” in one of the three companies in which he has a stake, according to a news release.

Greenville-based ACL Airshop, a leader in air cargo unit load device logistics solutions to over 200 airlines, air cargo carriers and other transportation clients, has announced the appointment of Bernhard Kindelbacher as CEO, effective March 1.

Kindelbacher has an extensive background in air cargo leadership, logistics management, business development and strategy, global operations and full enterprise general management, stemming from his professional career for over 30 years with Lufthansa Cargo, according to the release.

Townes will continue serving ACL Airshop in an advisory role as vice chairman. For the past nine years, Townes exhibited transformational leadership which resulted in significant growth and market positioning.

“Bernhardt is the right leader for the next chapter of ACL Airshop, with deep professional roots and impeccable expertise in the global air cargo sector,” Townes said in the release.

Townes’ majority shareholders in ACL Airshop expressed appreciation for his nine years of leadership as CEO of ACL, which has grown to 57 major air cargo hubs on six continents, according to the release. The company has won industry awards for technology innovations, and built a manufacturing center in Greenville.