Leadership Change at Züst & Bachmeier Düsseldorf
Marcel Groß took over as branch manager of Züst & Bachmeier’s Düsseldorf location on 1 October 2022, succeeding Hans Unger, who will continue to provide advisory support to his team until the end of the year before embarking on a well-deserved retirement. We conducted interviews with both individuals regarding this leadership transition.
Q: Mr Unger, how long have you been working at Züst & Bachmeier in Düsseldorf, and what are the key milestones that have shaped the branch’s development?
Hans Unger: I have been part of the Düsseldorf branch since its inception in June 2004, starting out with just three colleagues. Today, we have grown to a team of ten. Three years ago, we expanded into larger premises, bringing Universal Transport’s Cologne location under our roof to consolidate expertise and streamline processes. Over the years, we have not only expanded our staff, but also developed solid business operations. Despite challenging economic times, such as the 2008/2009 crisis and the 2020/2021 pandemic, we maintained a steady order volume. A specific focus of our activities is Southeast Asia, where we execute projects for the energy sector, among other areas.
Q: What were your particular highlights over the past 18 years?
Hans Unger: A significant achievement was transporting a complete gas drilling rig, the largest cargo we have ever handled. We gathered various construction materials, including 120,000 tonnes of pipes, from global manufacturers and transported them to the Caspian Sea off the coast of Turkmenistan. This involved road, rail, and chartered vessel transport, depending on the section of the route and the goods.
Q: Mr Groß, hearing these words, are you looking forward to starting your new role?
Marcel Groß: Absolutely. However, I am well aware that I have big shoes to fill following in the footsteps of Hans Unger. Together with the team, he has achieved and built a great deal here over the past years, and I had the privilege of witnessing and learning from him. I started my apprenticeship at Züst & Bachmeier in 2009. At that time, my father had to sign the training contract because I was under 18. After that, things progressed steadily. Before moving into branch management, I worked as a Senior Project Manager.
Q: What responsibilities does your new position entail, and have you already set goals for the coming years?
Marcel Groß: I have plans for the further development of the branch, always in collaboration with the team. We operate with flat hierarchies and mutual support. As branch manager, I report to Group management. Currently, my focus is on expanding our regular business in the United States and boosting our activities in Turkey, which is very close to my heart. We have also hired a new team member to expand our operations there.
Hans Unger: I truly enjoyed my time here, but now I look forward to dedicating more time to volunteering, travelling with my wife, and learning new languages. I believe it is the right time for a change at the helm. After 18 years, certain processes can benefit from a fresh perspective. Marcel Groß will bring this perspective and lead our Düsseldorf team into the future. I wish him every success!
The Universal Transport Group expresses its gratitude to Hans Unger for his dedication and outstanding performance over nearly two decades, which significantly contributed to the company’s success. We wish him all the best in this new chapter of his life!
We also warmly welcome Marcel Groß to his new position. We look forward to continuing our collaboration and wish him every success in his current and future responsibilities!