Rebranding to NG.network was the Right Step

The general cargo market is in motion like never before – volumes are decreasing, costs are rising. To assert themselves in this environment, the shareholders of the former System Alliance have made bold decisions. Today, it is clear to them: The rebranding to NG.network, which was accompanied by a real paradigm shift and demands a new mindset, was the right step.

(Hamburg) A year and a half after the launch as NG.network, the shareholder representatives appeared together for the first time at a press conference. In addition to the existing shareholders, represented by Jürgen Wolpert (Managing Director and Chief Product Officer of ZUFALL logistics group), Jens Wollesen (COO of Hellmann Worldwide Logistics), Wolfram Senger-Weiss (Chairman of the Management Board of Gebrüder Weiss), and Bernd Schäfer (Chairman of the Management Board of the Streck Transport Group), Thilo Streck, Managing Director of Rhenus Road Europe, also participated. Together with Stephan Opel, Managing Director of NG.network, they provided insights into the strategic development and optimization of the general cargo network.

Excellent Basis for Long-Term Collaboration

An important milestone will be reached in the third quarter of 2024, as the shareholder status of Rhenus will then become legally effective. According to Thilo Streck, the pragmatic and goal-oriented agreement between the parties involved was a prerequisite for enabling the early transition to NG.network. “We are confident that this group of shareholders, which is currently in place and will be complemented by us in the future, can provide an excellent basis for long-term collaboration,” explained Streck. The expectation for a shareholder to actively shape the network and take responsibility was also crucial for Rhenus in the cooperation change.

Jürgen Wolpert added that Rhenus is an ideal complement to the shareholder group: “There are strong connections between the individuals involved.” He sees the conditions for a trusting and long-term collaboration, as well as the willingness to face significant challenges together, as being present at Rhenus.

Future-Proof Through Collaboration

Wolfram Senger-Weiss sees a particular future viability in collaboration. “We live in a time characterized by a certain uncertainty. We talk about disruptions; everything has become more fragile. And this is our response: antifragility. One could positively say stability, robustness, strength. That defines us. We are a group of strong partners who have come together here, who share a similar mindset,” he said.

Jens Wollesen also referred to the new mindset as a prerequisite for economic success and high quality in the network and collaboration: “We firmly believe that this positive, people-oriented culture is the decisive basis for successful entrepreneurs today.” These principles are lived by NG.network and its shareholders “with a reasonable, honest partner structure,” Wollesen continued.

Bernd Schäfer confirmed that the shareholders “interact on equal terms.” “For us, size does not matter, but the common task. And we want to solve that together. We are growing healthily,” he summarized. AI simulations support important strategic decisions such as the activation or acquisition of additional locations, but ultimately decisions are made collectively.

Consolidating Energies in the Network

The issue of ecological sustainability is also being addressed by the cooperation in the consortium. Stephan Opel plans to consolidate energies in the network: “Ultimately, we will have to bring this green product to market. The network headquarters will be a kind of Green Data Hub, where primary data is consolidated.”

Photo: © NG.network / Caption (l.r.) Thilo Streck, Wolfram Senger-Weiss, Jens Wollesen at the NG.network press conference