Stewart Bird retires after 47 years
January 6, 2025
Global logistics veteran Stewart Bird bids farewell to a remarkable career spanning nearly five decades, reflecting on challenges, triumphs, and friendships forged along the way.
Global logistics veteran Stewart Bird has announced his retirement, bringing to a close a remarkable 47-year career that has seen him take on leadership roles across multiple industries and continents. His retirement follows a tenure as Director of Operations at Static Control Components (Europe) Limited, where he served from 2018 until January 2025.
Reflecting on his journey, Bird shared on LinkedIn, “I have met some great people in my career and made some very good friends, but the last four years in global logistics have been a challenge, to say the least.” His decision to retire early was accelerated by a welcomed redundancy, marking the end of an illustrious career.
Bird’s professional path began with a 15-year tenure at Katun Corporation, where he managed the UK distribution centre, overseeing £12 million ($15 million/ €14.45 million) in annual turnover and operations spanning Europe and the Far East. In 2004, he joined Static Control Components as Chief Operating Officer, managing EMEA and Far East operations. During his time there, he oversaw a £5 million operating budget and 100 staff, achieving an annual turnover of £60 million.
At the end of 2011, Bird left Static Control to bring his expertise to other sectors, broadening his leadership experience. However, he returned to Static Control in early 2018 as Director of Operations, demonstrating his continued dedication to the imaging supplies industry.
Grateful for the opportunities and connections forged throughout his career, Bird expressed his appreciation for colleagues and mentors. “I would like to express my deepest appreciation to my past bosses for believing in me and my abilities by providing me with opportunities and visiting countries I would never have experienced. I am deeply indebted to my peers and my teams over the years, as they played a massive part in my career progression.”
Bird’s LinkedIn post has drawn an outpouring of congratulations and well wishes from industry colleagues, celebrating his decades of leadership, innovation, and mentorship. As Bird steps into retirement, he leaves behind a legacy of professional excellence and a lasting impact on the global logistics and operations sectors.
Categories : Around the Industry
Tags : Business Retirement Static Control Components Stewart Bird
