Smooth transition at the top of the HGK Group

Focus on integrated and sustainable logistics

Steffen Bauer is taking over as the CEO of Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln AG (HGK) on 1 October 2025. The Supervisory Board already appointed the graduate in business administration to this position on 1 July 2025. He follows in the footsteps of Uwe Wedig, who is leaving the company after reaching retirement age following many years of successful business activities.

Steffen Bauer will specifically focus on the ongoing development of integrated logistics solutions at HGK. “We’re a strong corporate group, which provides end-to-end services along the transport chain from the seaports to our terminals along the river Rhine – and that makes us unique. We also guarantee supplies of raw materials for the industrial conurbations through our sustainable range of services using inland waterway vessels and rail operations. That’s what I want to build on: we’ll deliberately continue to develop our portfolio and dovetail our processes even more closely. Additional value-added services, which are data-driven and supported by artificial intelligence, will complete our profile to form an integrated, flexible and market-oriented logistics group,” says Steffen Bauer, explaining his approach. “To put things in a nutshell, we’ll continue to breathe life into the word “Integrated” in our corporate slogan.”

Actively shaping change – through innovations and adopting a responsible approach

The new CEO of the HGK Group views the current changes in business practices and industry as a clear mandate to shape the future. “The transformation of the markets, new standards for sustainable supply chains and technical advances are opening up enormous potential for us. Using digital, innovative transport concepts and a clear orientation towards climate protection, we want to make use of this potential – and further establish the HGK companies as reliable partners for industry in the future.”

In addition to its nation-wide orientation, HGK AG’s responsibility for Cologne and the entire Rhineland region is a crucial assignment for Steffen Bauer. “Given our extensive range of logistical services, we’re safeguarding supplies and people’s mobility in the local area – and are therefore making an important contribution to the provision of public services. At the same time, we’re developing a sustainable industrial and logistics site through FUSION COLOGNE in the north of Cologne, which is not only strengthening the competitiveness of existing industries, but also deliberately enabling new companies to set up their business operations in Cologne and the Rhineland area.”

The new Board of Directors at HGK AG is now complete through the appointment of Steffen Bauer

Steffen Bauer (CEO), Susanne Pietsch (CFO) and Dr Jens-Albert Oppel (COO) will form the management team at Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln AG in future. Mr Bauer will also remain CEO of HGK Shipping until further notice.