Since autumn 2025, Jan Bierewirtz has been part of Hellmann as Vice President Global Sales E-Commerce. With more than ten years of industry experience and a clear vision, he is responsible for the international sales of near. In this interview, he explains why cross-border e-commerce is particularly exciting right now, how near can support companies worldwide, and where you can meet him and the team in person soon.
 

Hi Jan, what brought you to Hellmann and what excites you about your new role?

I joined Hellmann last autumn. The role appealed to me right away. Building a true e-commerce product in a global logistics environment has huge potential. At the same time, the timing also worked well on a personal level. I live with my family in Hamburg, my wife is originally from South Africa, and I find it exciting that our partner SkyNet Worldwide Express is represented there with its own organization. International connections like that show how tangible and applicable our solution with near is for customers all around the world.

You’ve been working in e-commerce for many years. What do you bring to the development of near?

I’ve been involved in cross-border e-commerce from the very beginning. Over the past ten years, I’ve helped develop solutions that go far beyond classic parcel shipping, from intelligent address logic and automated rating to compliance topics. I’ve worked both on the last mile and on the systemic build-up of e-commerce services. That experience now helps us create a product with near that truly meets customer expectations.

The timing for near could hardly be better. Cross-border e-commerce is and remains a key growth driver, with annual growth rates of around 20 percent. We see a high level of maturity in some regions, while new markets such as Eastern Europe, the Middle East, or large parts of Africa are continuously opening up to online commerce. For many companies, cross-border is no longer just a question of reach, it is also a strategic lever for greater flexibility in the supply chain, especially in times of geopolitical shifts, new customs regulations, or strongly fluctuating demand.

Who is near designed for and what sets it apart from other solutions?

near is designed for anyone shipping internationally to end customers. That can be large online marketplaces, D2C brands, or traditional retailers looking to integrate new approaches into their supply chain. near is particularly strong in regions where transit times are long or returns are complex. The combination of Hellmann’s global air freight infrastructure and the e-commerce specialization of our partner SkyNet makes the product unique. It is flexible, scalable, and truly end-to-end, including returns, customs handling, and API integration.

What’s behind the name near and why does it need its own brand?

We wanted to make it clear that this isn’t simply another service launch. near is more than a product, it’s a new ecosystem that connects logistics, technology, and e-commerce expertise. The name stands for closeness to the customer, digital infrastructure, and global reach. At the same time, near is built on a broad technological and logistics foundation. The brand gives us the ability to make the offering visible and continue expanding it. I’m really looking forward to the official rollout, which will start very soon.

What’s next for near and where can people meet you in person?

We are starting in Europe, with a focus on the UK and central European markets. The US, Asia, and additional regions will follow. Anyone who would like to learn more about near can visit our landing page, subscribe to our newsletter, or follow us on LinkedIn. And of course, we’re looking forward to meeting in person, for example in February at the Ecommerce Berlin Expo. Together with SkyNet, we’ll be there in Hub 27 at booth J25, directly opposite the main stage. Also joining us is my colleague Daniel Höhle, who has been instrumental in building the project from the very beginning and whom I work very closely with today.

To learn more about near visit 
www.hellmann.com/near

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