Inside Nagel

From a career change to a leadership role

Your path in fleet management

Logistics thrives on people who roll up their sleeves, take on responsibility, and are willing to break new ground. Our colleague Sven Neumann embodies this very attitude: He began his career as an unskilled laborer in a pallet warehouse. Today, he is responsible for a large fleet management division in East Westphalia-Lippe and leads a team of administrative and operational staff.

We spoke with Sven Neumann about his career path, what motivates him in his day-to-day work, and the future of fleet management.

Can you give us a glimpse into how your professional journey began, from starting out as an unskilled laborer in the pallet warehouse to beginning your apprenticeship?

As is often the case with young people, I was an 18-year-old high school graduate at the time, without a clear plan but with a desire to earn money. That’s how I started at a medium-sized freight forwarding company as an unskilled empties loader. I quickly felt at home there. Ultimately, it was my father’s encouragement and the support of the company’s owner at the time that convinced me to begin an apprenticeship as a freight forwarding clerk.

Were there any defining moments or decisions in your career that significantly influenced your future path, particularly toward dispatching and fleet management?

Back then, at the medium-sized freight forwarding company, it was quite normal to not only have your set tasks but to pitch in wherever needed. Alongside vocational school, I worked in various departments: administrative processing, accounting, dispatching, clearance, and loading were all part of the job. Sometimes I even drove myself, for example on special trips with a 7.5-ton truck. Once I drove a pallet to Saarbrücken and right back again. This versatility shaped me greatly and gave me a broad understanding of the processes.

Taking on responsibility and growing professionally und sich weiterentwickeln

You’ve progressed from a dispatcher to a fleet manager. What about this role has particularly appealed to you and kept you motivated?

For one thing, it’s the work with people that continues to inspire me to this day. I simply enjoy getting to know new colleagues, supporting them, and helping them grow. On the other hand, I’ve always been interested in vehicles. Especially in the trucking sector, an incredible amount has changed over the past 20 years—from new drive technologies and improved ride comfort to performance optimizations. At the same time, the profession of a truck driver has also undergone significant changes: better working conditions, more training, and a greater alignment with today’s realities. Being an active part of shaping this development motivates me greatly.

Leadership in everyday life: Focusing on people and processes

Today, you’re in charge of a large division with a commercial team and operational staff. In your view, what are the most important qualities needed to succeed in this role?

For me, collaborative leadership and the ability to work in a team are crucial. I am responsible for driver and fleet management in OWL, but I can only fulfill this role successfully together with my team. I trust in the diligence and professionalism of my employees. If there’s a problem, we look for solutions together. A leader is only as good as their team. That’s why I see it as my responsibility to continuously invest in knowledge and professional development and to support my employees.

How do you structure your daily work to optimally manage both fleet utilization and driver satisfaction and scheduling?

I can rely on a truly strong team in driver and fleet support that works closely with the operations staff. We try to address daily challenges as effectively as possible. In the event of conflicts or difficult situations, we prioritize dialogue and work together to find solutions or viable compromises.

Commitment beyond the daily work routine

You recently obtained your commercial driver’s license in your spare time. What motivated you to take this step, and how does it help you in your current role?

Since I’ve had my Class CE license, I’ve already gained some practical experience. This helps me immensely in better understanding the challenges drivers face in their daily work. It’s also about seeing things from their perspective. I now know from personal experience the situations, risks, and demands our drivers face every day. At the same time, I can better assess how efficiently a truck can be utilized and what really matters when driving. I’m also very interested in the topic of alternative drive systems. I try to experiment with these as much as possible myself.

What personally motivates you to be part of our company, and what do you particularly appreciate about working here?

I feel very comfortable at the Nagel Group. I especially appreciate the strong sense of camaraderie. We work really well together as a large team. I’m also impressed by how strongly the family stands behind the company. There’s continuous investment, innovative thinking, and a focus on sustainability. Plus, appreciation is put into practice, for example by celebrating anniversaries. And everyone has the opportunity to grow. In my view, these are excellent conditions for all employees.

A look into the future of logistics

An important part of your work involves the further development of alternative propulsion technologies. What opportunities and challenges do you see here for the future of the fleet?

We have already made significant progress in the areas of electricity and e-mobility. At the same time, driving an electric truck also presents new challenges. Range and the concern about breaking down on the road remain key issues. Currently, drivers can cover about 600 kilometers in a single shift. Some modern vehicles can already achieve this. New developments are even moving toward 700 to 800 kilometers. Charging times are also improving steadily, and the charging network is being expanded. However, we currently still lack sufficient charging options along the route. We are continuing to work intensively on precisely these issues.

What motivates you in your daily work today, and what are your hopes for the future development of the logistics industry as a whole?

Above all, I’m motivated by the people—both the colleagues who have been with us for a long time and the new employees we’re able to recruit. I’m also excited to work on innovative ideas. For the future, I hope that the Nagel Group continues to position itself as a pioneer for more CO₂-neutral logistics.