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5. August 2020The Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln AG (HGK) announces completion; the acquisition of the European inland shipping activities of Imperial has been finalized effective August 1, 2020. This transaction significantly advances HGK’s position in the logistics service provider rankings. Imperial has played a dominant role primarily in liquid and LNG shipping. The new division will operate under the name HGK Shipping GmbH.
(Cologne) Effective August 1, 2020, Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln AG (HGK) has, as previously announced, acquired the European inland shipping activities of Imperial Logistics International B.V. & Co. KG. HGK will fully assume all existing contractual relationships of the companies previously operating under the name “Shipping Group.” “This is a milestone in the development of HGK towards an integrated logistics holding,” says Uwe Wedig, Chairman of the Board of HGK.
The acquisition was preceded by the necessary decisions from the relevant approval bodies. Reservations from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Municipal Affairs, Construction and Equality of North Rhine-Westphalia and the supervisory authority of the district governments in NRW have been resolved.
“We are very pleased that a broad majority of Cologne’s political landscape and the other responsible authorities have supported our initiative. This allows HGK AG to strengthen its position as a reliable provider of sustainable and dependable transport chains and logistics services for the local industry,” explains Uwe Wedig. The new entity will be established within the HGK group under the name “HGK Shipping GmbH.” The HGK Shipping GmbH will be managed by the existing management of the “Shipping Group,” with Steffen Bauer and Walter Steinig as managing directors. “This step means security for the planning of many of our customers and their production facilities in the Cologne area and along the Rhine. Integrated into the HGK group, we can better align our offerings in the future,” comments Steffen Bauer on the transition.
Inland Shipping Division Enhances Trimodal Service Portfolio
With the acquisition of HGK Shipping, the HGK group completes its portfolio for trimodal freight transport. Like few other companies, HGK can now ensure sustainable, efficient, and above all reliable transport and logistics services for the major industries along the Rhine corridor. “Our goal is to expand and closely integrate the logistical offerings of our business areas on rail and waterways. We are not only acquiring one of the largest inland shipping companies in Europe but also the know-how for growing markets that are of great importance to the industry in our region, such as in the gas and chemicals segment. HGK Shipping GmbH, as a well-managed and economically successful company, fits perfectly with HGK AG,” says Uwe Wedig. Within the Stadtwerke Köln Group (SWK), HGK acts as a holding company managing an operational investment portfolio for logistics and freight transport services. The HGK group includes, among others, the 100% subsidiaries Neska and HTAG, as well as the 50% stake in RheinCargo. A total of about 900 employees will join the HGK group, which now employs more than 2,500 people.
New HGK Brand Appearance Puts Integrated Logistics Offering in the Spotlight
The integration of HGK Shipping GmbH provides HGK with the opportunity to reposition the brand appearance of the corporate group. In the future, the company will operate under the name “HGK Integrated Logistic Group” and will receive a new logo. Three bright red bars represent the combined services of the group across the transport modes of rail, waterways, and road. “This also visually illustrates our transformation process and the enormous potential that is integrated for our customers under the roof of the HGK group. The subtitle in English reflects the language of our customers and business partners – the industry thinks and acts internationally,” explains Uwe Wedig regarding the change.
From containers to paper rolls, from mineral oil trains to chemical tankers, from railway maintenance to real estate development and storage rental – customers will find all of this in the future under the roof of the HGK Integrated Logistics Group with the business areas HGK Logistics and Intermodal, HGK Shipping, HGK Rail Operations, HGK Infrastructure and Maintenance, and HGK Real Estate.
“We will change with care and consideration,” says Uwe Wedig. “Therefore, the impulse will initially come from the umbrella brand. Step by step, the involved subsidiaries will then be included in the process – starting with the new HGK Shipping.”
About HGK AG
Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln AG (HGK) is the logistics company within the Stadtwerke Köln Group. From its origins as a port operator, HGK has developed into a Europe-wide group for integrated transport and logistics services. The HGK group includes, among others, HTAG (Häfen und Transport AG, 100%), the neska group (100%), and the 50% stake in RheinCargo GmbH & Co. KG, a joint venture of HGK and Neuss-Düsseldorfer Häfen GmbH & Co. KG. The HGK group operates, through its subsidiaries and investments, among other things, the largest inland port network in Germany, one of the largest private freight railways, its own rail network, workshop operations, and various specialized logistics companies. In July 2020, HGK Shipping GmbH was founded, and the European inland shipping activities of Imperial Shipping Holding GmbH were acquired. With this acquisition, the HGK group is now also one of the largest inland shipping companies in Europe.
Photos: © HGK / Photo 1: The new HGK logo flutters in the wind / Image 2: HGK Board Member Uwe Wedig (on the right) and HGK Shipping Managing Director Steffen Bauer (on the left) raise the new company flag in front of the operational headquarters of HGK Shipping GmbH in Duisburg Ruhrort.
