Interview with Hella Koenigsmann: Eschweiler site manager at Nagel-Group

Congratulations on your new position as site manager.
How do you feel after the first few weeks in your new role?

Thank you very much for the congratulations. I feel that I have already settled into my new role well. Thanks to the support of my colleagues, I am able to focus on it very well.

You have an impressive 20 years of service with Nagel-Group. Could you briefly introduce yourself and tell us about some of your most important professional experiences and milestones that have led you to your current position?

I am 59 years young, have been married for 36 years and am the proud mother of a 31-year-old son. I completed my business studies at the RWTH in Aachen. After 12 years as a controller at Dachser GmbH in Alsdorf, I joined Nagel Group on 1 May 2002. My journey began as a branch controller, a new position at the time, which required the personal approval of Mr Nagel. In 2016, I took over as Head of Administration, and in 2017 I was given responsibility for HR and CIP. According to the regional concept from 2019, I was in charge of the commercial department for what was then Region West. This concept was overhauled in November 2020 and my role extended to the Eschweiler and Andernach branches until 30 September 2023. Since January 2021, I have also been Head of Business Service for both branches.

With your previous experience in business services and regional controlling, how do you think this experience will help you in managing the branch?

I believe that my competences represent a successful mix of forwarding knowledge and administrative know-how. Thanks to my structured way of working and many years of experience in finance and freight forwarding controlling, I am not only familiar with the business aspects, but also with the challenges of the freight forwarding business. I therefore know the branch, my colleagues and the business very well.

To what extent did your first impressions and expectations of your new position as branch manager match the reality?

The description of the tasks and the collaboration with Robert Schloenvoigt, the branch manager for the Eschweiler, Andernach and Voelklingen locations, have developed extremely harmoniously following numerous discussions and objectives. The Next Steps I defined in August for the next 100 days are going extremely well. The move to my new office, the first 1:1 meetings with the managers on site and the works meeting on 28 October make me optimistic about the future.

What particular challenges do you see in your new role and how do you plan to deal with them?

My challenges lie in my limited experience in the area of customer care and the lack of basic knowledge as a haulage manager. I will actively continue my training in the area of customer service, with Robert Schloenvoigt at my side as a sparring partner. In Lorenz Buffen, I have an experienced colleague at my side who will support me in the area of freight forwarding.

Can you give us some insights into the industry and the location of Eschweiler? What opportunities and challenges do you see in this region?

Our primary economic area mainly covers Belgium and the Netherlands. At the Eschweiler site, we have just under 19,000 storage spaces in the warehouse.
Despite the positive outlook for the probable achievement of our EBIT target this year, we still have a considerable way to go to regain our former strength and economic success. We currently have around 4,000 free warehouse spaces available, which also serve as a significant opportunity for our growth and reorganisation. This free capacity gives us the opportunity to implement targeted transport services and at the same time strengthen the Eschweiler site as a strategic hub for access to the BENELUX countries.

What goals and visions do you have for the Eschweiler branch?

It is particularly important to me to realise economic success as an integral part of the western region for Nagel-Group in Eschweiler, as has already been done successfully in the past. In doing so, I am focussing on ensuring consistently high quality. Together with our high-performing team and our social partner, I am optimistic about the future and look forward to taking on this responsibility.

The logistics industry is still largely dominated by men. What experiences have you had as a woman in this field?

My direct entry into the logistics industry after graduating in 1990 was a real culture shock for me. The open, very rustic language and unconventional manners were completely new to me. In view of these challenges, I quickly developed a “thick skin” and endeavoured not only to contribute theoretical knowledge, but also to immerse myself practically in the operational processes. In this way, I gradually gained the necessary acceptance from my male colleagues.

Over the years, the logistics sector has changed. Nowadays, the focus is increasingly on individual performance. Women and men have different ways of working, and mixed teams often prove to be particularly productive.

What advice would you give to women and schoolgirls?

Solid professional training is the cornerstone of professional success. Stay curious and eager to learn. Broaden your horizons and be open to change. Strive for continuous further development – both professionally and personally. Seize opportunities and be motivated to utilise them. Have the courage. It will be worth it.

What was the biggest challenge in the 2023 Christmas business?

Purchasing behaviour was initially rather cautious, stocks at warehouse customers high – the biggest challenge was to transport an increasing quantity in the short period before Christmas.

Which product category is particularly popular during the Christmas season?

From Eschweiler, chocolate products, fruit juices and smoothies as well as baked goods are particularly popular during the Christmas season.