HGK Inaugurates New Company Headquarters in Cologne-Niehl

In the presence of Oliver Krischer, Minister for Environment, Conservation and Transport of North Rhine-Westphalia, the HGK Group officially inaugurated its new headquarters. Key areas of the Ports and Goods Transport Cologne AG, the HGK Logistics and Intermodal division, and the RheinCargo participation have been integrated and working together in the representative building at the northern entrance to the Niehler Hafen in Cologne since July 2023.

(Köln) “The HGK Group is an innovative and committed company for more traffic on waterways and rail. With its climate-relevant services along the entire transport chain, it fulfills a significant supply mandate for the economic location of North Rhine-Westphalia. The new HGK headquarters is the ideal and attractive platform to expand this sustainable corporate strategy for the benefit of the population and the economy with customers and partners,” Minister Krischer stated in his speech. Around 80 honored guests attended the ceremonial event, including representatives from the city of Cologne, politics, business, and the transport and logistics industry. “In the thick of it, not just on the sidelines” – this is how Uwe Wedig, Chairman of the Board of HGK AG, described the location of the new HGK headquarters. “Here, where part of our operational business takes place, where the action is, we are exactly in the right place,” the CEO of the HGK Group further explained, “this is a temporary highlight in the development of the HGK Integrated Logistics Group – but just a temporary one, as we are continuously evolving.”

Completion on Budget and Schedule

On the 3,000 square meter site, an energy-efficient and representative building has been constructed, housing around 300 workplaces. The total gross floor area amounts to 8,500 square meters. The total costs remained within the planning framework at just under 23 million euros, including added enhancements, despite challenging conditions due to the pandemic and the Ukraine war, and the projected timeframe of less than two years of construction was adhered to. The building, constructed to KfW standard “Efficiency Building 55,” consumes 45 percent less energy than required by current building regulations. This is supported by the photovoltaic system installed on the roof with a peak output of 99 kWp, which is primarily used for its own needs. During the implementation of the construction plans, consistent attention was paid to nature and animal protection. A significant portion of the tree population was integrated into the project, and compensatory measures were established – for example, nesting boxes for local dormice. Cologne’s Mayor Dr. Ralph Elster emphasized the importance of the HGK Group for the regional economy during the inauguration. “Since its founding 31 years ago, HGK has been a reliable partner for business and industry in our region. Without the infrastructure of ports and railway connections provided by HGK, the reliable supply of numerous large industrial companies in our region would be unthinkable. Logistical infrastructure is essential public service and thus an important location factor,” said the official representative of the city of Cologne.

Applause from the invited guests for the new company headquarters of HGK

Comprehensive Transformation Program Launched

Michael Theis, full-time managing director of the HGK shareholder Stadtwerke Köln Konzern (SWK), praised the development of HGK into a modern and customer-oriented company: “HGK has launched a comprehensive transformation program and is successfully implementing it in many market areas despite all adversities. An integrated logistics group is emerging under the umbrella of a common brand.” The processes are not limited to its own company divisions but are also realized in cooperation with partners from the SWK group. As an example, he cited the HGK logistics project Fusion Cologne: “There, production and logistics will be innovatively, demand-oriented, and sustainably combined in the future. The key project as part of the city strategy ‘Kölner Perspektiven 2030+’ shows how important the strong connection of the SWK group is for Cologne.” Fusion Cologne stands for innovative concepts in areas such as digitization, mobility, circular economy, or heat supply.

Exchange on the Framework Conditions of the Logistics Industry

Prior to the event, the HGK board and the CEOs of the HGK business areas exchanged views with NRW Minister Krischer on the framework conditions and requirements of the transport and logistics industry. “We see ourselves as architects of freight transport. In this context, the waterway system, which explicitly includes all modes of transport, plays a crucial role. Only in the concert of ship, train, and truck will we be able to achieve the necessary changes and tap into potential for shifting that belongs to sustainable economic practices. To do this, we need to replace ideological ways of thinking with considerations on how to arrive at intelligent transport concepts,” explained HGK CEO Uwe Wedig, outlining his position.

Photos: © HGK / Image Caption: Aerial view of the new HGK headquarters in Cologne-Niehl