03.04.2025 | Press release

Cooperation platform "Logistics Dialogue Rhineland" under the banner of sustainability

Cologne. What can the logistics sector contribute to driving forward the climate-friendly transformation in Germany? Questions such as these were discussed at the 3rd Logistics Dialogue Rhineland organised by HGK Logistics and Intermodal GmbH. Around 200 guests from business, politics and administration accepted the invitation to the cooperation platform on the 28th floor of KölnSky. The focus of this year's dialogue was the professional exchange on sustainable logistics concepts in order to successfully master the transformation to a more ecological economy together.

Representing the HGK Group at the 3rd Logistics Dialogue Rhineland (from left to right): Markus Krämer, CEO HGK LI, Rainer Görtler, Managing Director HGK Intermodal, Uwe Wedig, CEO HGK AG, Susanne Pietsch CFO HGK AG, Dr Jens-Albert Oppel, COO HGK AG, Jens Schmeidler, COO HGK LI.

Markus Krämer, CEO of HGK Logistics and Intermodal GmbH, welcomed around 200 invited guests to KölnSky.

In his welcoming speech, Markus Krämer, CEO of HGK Logistics and Intermodal (HGK LI), emphasised the unifying nature of the event and the importance of cross-industry dialogue: "We want to develop this event into a permanent platform for exchange. An exchange that strengthens our companies and our region. Let's start today to build long-term connections that offer real added value for all sides. Only through strategic cooperation will we be able to successfully tackle the challenges of the future."
This was followed by two keynote speeches to kick off the professional exchange: Prof. Dr Hubertus Bardt, Managing Director of the German Economic Institute, shed light on the economic framework conditions and presented possible development scenarios for the German economy.

"New economic growth requires a successful and growth-orientated transformation. If we fail to achieve this, we will jeopardise our future prosperity," says Prof. Dr Hubertus Bardt. The course for successful transformation processes is set in the boardrooms. Dr Daniel Haag, sustainability consultant at the consulting firm PwC Strategy&, explained in the second keynote speech: "Companies today are aware of the added value of sustainability strategies, and this trend is clearly recognisable. Larger companies in particular are increasingly turning their attention to logistics in order to drive forward their decarbonisation."

The fact that sustainability transformations are of strategic importance and that the corresponding course is being set at senior management level was underlined by a live survey conducted on site: more than 40 per cent of those present stated that their companies classify the climate-friendly transformation as a "top issue at management level".

This was followed by an expert discussion in a panel format on the topic of sustainability. "In our company, the goal of climate neutrality is clearly the focus of the Executive Board and employees. Our customers are already benefiting from this. HGK has already realised several sustainable projects. For example, we have installed photovoltaic systems and purchase one hundred per cent certified climate-neutral electricity," says Susanne Pietsch, CFO of HGK AG. "We support the City of Cologne's climate targets: climate neutrality by 2035. We can only achieve this goal together with all our partners."

"Only through strategic cooperation will we be able to successfully tackle the challenges of the future."

Markus Krämer, CEO HGK Logistics and Intermodal GmbH

"Small and medium-sized companies often perceive the pressure to transform as a challenge," said Nick Brandt, Head of Sustainability Consultancy at ProEco Rheinland GmbH. "Our sustainability consulting services help them to position themselves for the future in a targeted manner." The Sparkasse's consultancy firm had found that companies still very rarely focussed on their logistics as a potential source of emissions savings.

The second panel discussion of the evening focussed on the role that logistics can play as a cooperation partner in sustainability strategies. Florian Ullmann, Head of Logistics for the EMEA region at LANXESS, commented: "The logistics partner can be of immense importance for the_{carbon footprint}. By switching to intermodality, we have already been able to save a significant proportion of emissions in logistics. Now we are using efficient and sustainable modes of transport wherever possible."

Rainer Görtler, Managing Director of the Intermodal Business Unit at HGK Logistics and Intermodal, called not only the industry but also decision-makers from business and politics to account: "Today, it is crucial that we as a logistics service provider actively approach our partners in industry and trade with sustainable solutions. Significantly reducing Scope 3 emissions as part of a partnership must be part of our offering," says Görtler. "Due to sustainability considerations, we put an order in the area of 'last mile logistics' out to tender in the traditional way, whereupon HGK Logistics and Intermodal submitted proposals for alternative drive technologies on its own initiative," confirmed Jan Walper, Inbound Freight Manager at QVC. "The bottom line is that we were able to effectively reduce our emissions."

Afterwards, the participants had the opportunity to utilise the network and - in keeping with the spirit of the event - lay the foundations for sustainable cooperation. Markus Krämer expressed his satisfaction: "I was very pleased with the professional and personal exchange at the Logistics Dialogue Rhineland. We want to create strong connections for a sustainable Rhineland."

The invited guests from politics and administration, as well as network and cooperation partners, emphasised this impetus. Dirk Wasmuth, Managing Director of kölnmetall: "All of our association members are considering sustainability transformation. The professional exchange is a real benefit." Daniel Wauben, Managing Director of ChemCologne: "The valuable input sharpens the focus on logistics as a success factor for sustainability strategies and suggests cross-network partnerships."

Prof Dr Dörte Diemert, City Treasurer and Head of the Investment Department of the City of Cologne: "The attractiveness and competitiveness of our region benefits from the fact that we are working on joint solutions. The cross-industry dialogue on sustainable logistics is a valuable stimulus."