Almy Sousa Magalhães, global strategic procurement executive for fleet & mobility, e-commerce and distribution at Philip Morris International, was named the 2018 Global Fleet Manager of the Year at the Fleet Europe Summit 2018. The award was presented on Nov. 28, 2018, at the Palau de Congressos de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain.  

Magalhães, who is based in Madrid, Spain, manages a worldwide fleet of 22,930 vehicles dispersed across 82 countries for Philip Morris International. Cost efficiency and driver safety were the two key factors cited for Magalhães winning the 2018 Global Fleet Manager of the Year Award. Under Magalhães’ leadership, Philip Morris implemented a very successful cost management initiatives focused on acquiring vehicles with more fuel efficient powertrains and the adoption of an integrated mobility management program.

Also cited was the effective driver safety program implemented, which has resulted in a reduction in preventable accidents and decrease in employee injuries. In his acceptance speech, Magalhães cited senior management support and the implementation of technology solutions as the key factors that led to the success of the cost-efficiency and driver safety initiatives.

Magalhães joined Philip Morris International in 2006 and has held various positions with the company in Brazil, Switzerland, Poland, and Spain. Among Magalhães’ other job responsibilities at Philip Morris International are global vendor management, contract fulfillment, and cross-regional project management.

The runner-up for the 2018 Global Fleet Manager of the Year Award  was Franz Fehlner, head of international fleet - global travel, MICE & Mobility for Allianz Technology SE. (The acronym MICE stands for meetings, incentives, conferencing & exhibitions.) Fehlner, who is based in Munich, Germany, has served in this role since 2013.