It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Bernard Molloy.
Bernard was chairman of Superport Liverpool from 2013, giving his time generously to champion the city where he was born. He became an international ambassador for manufacturing and logistics for the UK and specifically for the North West of England; leading international delegations to Panama and directly representing Liverpool and the UK across Europe, USA, Mexico and Jamaica to forge close working relationships.
Bernard’s area of expertise and knowledge was the warehousing, logistics and materials handling industries, for which he was recognised nationally and internationally as a leading expert. He received many awards and recognitions during his career including being named Automotive Logistician of the Year in 2014/15 and a Lifetime Achievement Award from The Manufacturer in 2018.
A regular face at industry events, Bernard was a consummate networker. His charming personality, good humour and extraordinary industry knowledge will be greatly missed by those lucky enough to have spent time in his company. He was a passionate, inspirational and well-loved professional, and a role model to a generation of young engineers. Bernard was born in Liverpool in 1948 and become an apprentice engineer, with the Liverpool Corporation, at the age of 16. During his career he became an energetic champion for skills development and worked tirelessly at every level to encourage the adoption of apprenticeships in the UK.
Bernard was General Manager with BT Rolatruc (now Toyota Material Handling) in the late ’60s. In 1986 he was appointed Managing Director of Hako Machines UK, where he oversaw the design and development of a new product range, which grew to make up 30% of the total group turnover. In 1999, he returned to the forklift world to become joint group Managing Director of Lansing Linde, where he increased market share from 19.5% to 33% over five years. In 2009 Bernard took over as Managing Director of HOPPECKE Industrial Batteries, installing new facilities and systems that have helped transform the company’s fortunes. In 2011, Bernard became Global Director of Unipart Industrial Logistics, a role in which he used his considerable guile, experience and connections to help promote the brand.
Bernard also played an active part in the CILT (chairing its warehouse and materials handling forum), chaired the Northern England Regional Committee of the German-British Chamber of Industry & Commerce and was Director of the UK arm of German materials handling manufacturer LKE.
Always the diplomat, Bernard seemed to have his finger in several pies, and as he often fulfilled multiple briefs he would talk passionately across a number of subjects with great authority. Bernard excelled in the public domain, and was exemplary at bringing people together whom he felt could mutually benefit from a meeting.
As well as following multiple business pursuits, Bernard was an advanced alpine skier and, in his younger days, he was a competition level water skier. Always generous with his time, Bernard and his wife Ann volunteered as ‘gamesmakers’ for the 2012 Olympics.
Bernard had tremendous spirit and an utter determination to do his very best in everything. He had an infectious sense of fun; love of life and of people, and at all times his kindness and never-ending strength shone through. Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) sends its deepest condolences to Bernard’s wife Ann, his family, colleagues and many friends.
Asif Hamid MBE, Chair of Liverpool City Region LEP said: “Bernard had it all – knowledge, passion and charm. He gave 100% to each and every business pursuit with his remarkable drive and willpower, and he made a massive contribution to the growth of the City Region that he loved so much. As a fantastic people person he was warm, friendly and kind with incredible generosity. He leaves a huge hole in the local business community and will be sorely missed by those of us privileged to have worked alongside him.”
There will be a private funeral for family and friends in June, and on the 10th October a celebratory event will take place between 4 and 6pm in Liverpool; providing an opportunity for all who knew Bernard, to come together to remember him and his legacy in Liverpool. More information will be available in due course on the Liverpool City Region LEP website.