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Freight forwarder calls on women to combat industry stereotypes

[ March 14, 2022   //   Chris ]

Suffolk  forwarder Regine Haertel is calling on more women to combat industry stereotypes in male-dominated industries as part of International Women’s Day.

Haertel, who works at Great Blakenham-based Morrison Freight, said she has never let her gender stop her from pursuing her goals. Born in Germany, previously worked as a building engineer, a carer and at a yachtbuilders before taking on the role at Morrison Freight last April.

In her first year she has had to deal with the challenges of the pandemic and Brexit but has quickly become a valuable member of the team.

She now wants to see more women take on roles in industries many wrongly seem as being made for men.

She said: “Working on building sites in Germany, I was used to being the only woman. I got used to it, but I’ve never let being a woman stop me from doing my best.

“I’ve never shied away from living in a ‘man’s world’ or doing what people see as a ‘man’s work’. As a child I would help my dad tune the car – things like that have never fazed me. I was brought up like this.”

“Women shouldn’t have to feel like they are unable to do something.”

Morrison Freight has a team of men and women from around Europe, working in markets across 25 countries in four different languages.

She says that she has never faced any prejudice during her time at the business, adding she is already seeing changes in the wider logistics industry in her short time in freight forwarding.

She said: “The industry is changing for the better and that is a good thing. There are more and more female drivers now and they are not afraid of demanding better and safer facilities on the road.

“It is one area Morrison Freight is so strong in – we are lucky to have such young and progressive directors who listen to feedback, it is a good place to work at.

“Thankfully I have never faced any issues, but I know I have the strength to challenge these should they arise.”

Tags: Morrison Freight