The apprenticeship was just the beginning: the Nagel-Group honours its top graduates
Hamburg, 16 September 2026 – Successfully completing an apprenticeship marks an important milestone. For the Nagel-Group’s top graduates, it was also an occasion for a special honour: on 8 September, they were honoured in person in Hamburg. At the invitation of and under the patronage of Marion Nagel, Chairwoman of the Administration Board, the young professionals gathered at the branch office to spend the day with her and CEO Lars-Erik Poths. The focus was on their outstanding achievements, personal exchanges, and the opportunities and prospects open to them within the Nagel-Group.
Top graduates 2026
Recognition for outstanding achievement
The first connections across different locations were already being forged during the group dinner the previous evening. Those present included commercial and technical roles, such as freight forwarding and logistics specialists, professional drivers and warehouse logistics specialists, as well as students on dual degree programmes in Business Administration and Business Informatics.
The following morning, Marion Nagel opened the event at the Hamburg branch. In a subsequent open discussion, the graduates looked back on their apprenticeship period. They spoke about the experiences that had particularly shaped them, the support that had helped them, and the areas where they saw further potential for the apprenticeship programme. Among the positive aspects highlighted were the support from their apprenticeship supervisors, the wide-ranging insights into different departments, the provision of modern equipment, and the opportunity to take part in an inter-branch exchange programme. The group also discussed what it means for company culture, team spirit and the development of young talent to be part of a family-run business. In this way, the retrospective turned into a genuine dialogue about the future. The graduates spoke about the opportunities to take on responsibility, gain experience in different areas and develop both professionally and personally. The personal experiences of these top graduates provide important insights for further advancing talent acquisition, retention and development within the Nagel-Group. This was precisely what the event was designed for: listening, learning from one another and jointly considering how apprenticeships can be made even more attractive in the future.
Marion Nagel gives Jerome Tronicke his certificate
Marion Nagel then handed out to the top graduates a certificate mounted on acrylic glass, a high-quality water bottle and a backpack for their outstanding achievements. Marion Nagel praised not only their qualifications but also the personal commitment behind them: “Apprenticeship is our future and part of our corporate culture. You can be proud of yourselves, and so are we. You have achieved excellent results, overcome challenges and persevered right to the end. That is remarkable and deserves my special recognition.”
The event symbolises the Nagel-Group’s view that apprenticeships should be seen not merely as a gateway to working life, but as a vital building block for the company’s future. As a family-run business, the Nagel-Group makes a conscious effort to invest in the development of its young talent and creates opportunities that extend far beyond the completion of their apprenticeships. The personal recognition of the top graduates highlights the importance placed on apprenticeship, the development of young talent and long-term staff retention within the Nagel-Group. It is also an expression of appreciation for those young talents who, with their ideas, commitment and willingness to perform, will help shape the company’s future.
Career paths that motivate
Three colleagues, who spoke about their own career paths, demonstrated how an apprenticeship at the Nagel-Group can open many doors. Christian Köhn, now Operations Manager in Bochum, Alexander Röhn, Warehouse Manager in Bochum, and Anja Bechtold, who works in quality management and health and safety in Kehl and Muggensturm, all began their careers with an apprenticeship at the company.
They spoke about the various stages of their careers, new roles, personal challenges and the opportunities they have seized as they have progressed. Their stories made it clear that a career in logistics does not always follow a straight path. What matters most is openness, initiative and the courage to look beyond one’s own horizons.
Young talent as part of the Nagel-Group’s future
In the afternoon, the graduates had the opportunity to address their questions directly to Marion Nagel and Lars-Erik Poths during an open discussion. Whether it was personal career paths, experiences from day-to-day working life or the future of the Nagel-Group: the young professionals took the opportunity to raise topics that matter to them.
In his outlook on the Nagel-Group up to 2030, Lars-Erik Poths took the graduates on a journey into the company’s future. He demonstrated how investment in infrastructure, digitalisation and new solutions is driving further development. At the same time, he focused on the people who are driving and shaping this transformation. This is precisely what the “One Team” message stands for: collaboration, mutual support and a shared vision are crucial factors for success. He also encouraged the young professionals to actively make the most of their opportunities: “You can build a career in logistics. Each of you brings different experiences and strengths to the table, but we can only achieve our goals together. Be positive ambassadors for our culture and carry forward what ‘One Team’ means to us.”
A personal connection that lasts
For many participants, the close contact with senior management was one of the day’s highlights. For Damian Druckenmüller, a graduate of the professional driver apprenticeship in Bochum, it was the friendly atmosphere in particular that made the day so special. His verdict: “It was a really great day. My personal highlight was the opportunity to talk to the management in person.”
Luca Hafermann, a graduate of the dual degree programme in Business Administration and now Head of Business Services in Gotha, also looks back on the event with a special sense of appreciation: “The day was very varied. I found the one-to-one conversations – even those outside the official programme – and the direct contact with top management particularly valuable. At the same time, it was a great opportunity to look back on my own training period and to recognise the achievements I’ve made.”
To round off the day, the group changed their perspective and explored Hamburg from the water. During a guided harbour tour, the participants gained fresh insights into Germany’s largest seaport. A group dinner afterwards provided an opportunity to continue the day’s discussions and bring the event to a close in a relaxed atmosphere.
What remains from this day, above all, is the feeling of being recognised and valued for one’s own achievements. The graduates have achieved a great deal and, at the same time, demonstrated the potential they possess. As the next generation of talent today and the specialists and managers of tomorrow, they can play an active role in shaping the future of the Nagel-Group. The event highlights just how important it is to develop young talent for the company’s long-term development. Their apprenticeship was just the beginning.