UTi Worldwide Inc. said Monday it appointed Eric W. Kirchner, a former UPS executive, as its chief executive.

The Long Beach-based ocean freight logistics company said Kirchner, who takes over Jan.19, succeeds Roger I. MacFarlane, a company founder.

Kirchner, 49, has more than 27 years of experience in the transportation and logistics industry, the company said. Most recently he was president of freight forwarding at UPS Supply Chain Solutions. He joined the UPS division in 2004 when it acquired Menlo Worldwide Forwarding Inc., where he served as chief operating officer.

MacFarlane, 63, will become the company’s non-executive chairman. He will serve in a transitional role at the company through April and then retire.

UTi shares were down 30 cents, or 2 percent in morning trading on the Nasdaq.