Effective 1 April 2025, the Rhenus Group has appointed three experienced leaders from within the company to its Management Board. Dr. Joana Bätz will oversee Human Resources, Sustainability, and Compliance; Jan Harnisch will be responsible for Air & Ocean; and Dr. Marcus Ewig will handle Automotive, Procurement, Health & Safety, and Quality Management.
This strategic expansion of the Management Board underscores Rhenus Group’s transformation into a global logistics leader and aims to strengthen the company’s leadership structure at the highest level to support its ongoing growth and innovation.
Over the past 30 years, Rhenus has evolved from a mid-sized German logistics firm into the world’s largest family-owned logistics provider, offering tailored and resilient supply chain solutions to a variety of industries. To navigate the complexities of the global market and drive sustainable transformation, Rhenus has recognized the need for enhanced strategic leadership, making this Management Board expansion a critical next step.
Dr. Marco Schröter, Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Rhenus Group, commented: “We are pleased to welcome three exceptional leaders to the Management Board. Their appointments reflect our commitment to utilizing internal talent and expertise to further propel Rhenus Group’s growth in the rapidly evolving logistics landscape.”
Tobias Bartz, CEO of Rhenus Group, added: “The expansion of our Management Board reinforces our people-centered approach and ensures the continued resilience and adaptability of our company. As we focus on strengthening our global divisions, we are positioning Rhenus to deliver more agile, customized logistics solutions to meet the specific needs of our customers, even in times of geopolitical volatility and market change.”
New Board Member Appointments
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Dr. Joana Bätz will now be responsible for the Group functions of Human Resources, Compliance, and Sustainability. She brings nearly 20 years of experience in the logistics sector, with seven of those years spent at Rhenus. As Group CHRO since 2022, she led a professionalization of HR practices, cultural transformation, and the introduction of global HR technologies and employer branding. Dr. Bätz earned her doctorate in Human Resources and Organizational Development from Johann Wolfgang Goethe University.
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Jan Harnisch has been appointed to the Management Board as the Global CEO of Air & Ocean. With Rhenus since 2012, Jan has held key leadership roles, including Global COO (2020) and Global CEO (2022). His leadership has been integral in expanding Rhenus’ Air & Ocean division into new international markets, driving digital transformation, and enhancing customer-centric logistics.
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Dr. Marcus Ewig has been promoted from CEO of Rhenus Automotive to the Management Board. Under his leadership, Rhenus Automotive expanded internationally into China and the US, and he spearheaded a joint venture for battery lifecycle management. In addition to overseeing Automotive, he will now be responsible for the Group functions of Procurement, Health & Safety, and Quality Management. Dr. Ewig holds a doctorate in Business Informatics from the University of Leipzig.
Following this expansion, the Management Board of the Rhenus Group will consist of seven members: Tobias Bartz (CEO & Chairman), Gilles Delarue, Dr. Stephan Peters, Andreas Stöckli, Dr. Joana Bätz, Jan Harnisch, and Dr. Marcus Ewig, each contributing their expertise to the company’s continued success.