Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/1532529
34 STiR coffee and tea | 2025 Issue 1 Spring (Mar/Apr/May) eadquartered in Hamburg, Germany, Neumann Kaffee Gruppe (NKG) is a globally operating green coffee service group focusing solely on coffee. Sprawling out across more than 60 companies in 28 countries, the group employs more than 3,300 highly skilled personnel in business sectors such as milling, export and import, farming, services, as well as agents and representatives. As the coffee industry faces new and growing challenges and as global market dynamics evolve rapidly, NKG has started taking decisive steps to en- hance the group's flexibility, empower leadership, and streamline operations across its global network. The company's transformation highlight decentral- izing decision-making processes and creating strong regional leadership. "This journey is about more than just adapting; it is about securing NKG's position as a global leader for years to come," said David M. Neumann Group CEO and shareholder of NKG. "By enacting real regional empowerment and rethinking how we work, we are building a stronger, more dynamic organi- zation poised to navigate future challenges and opportunities. We are going closer to our business. We are opening up for talent where talent is and are moving away from our traditional setup with a very dominant center. We are building our organization for the future on the success of the past and basing it on trust and the shared values within NKG." Empowering Regional Leadership From February 2025 onwards, NKG will establish three regional offices to sup- port operations across the Americas; in Asia Pacific; and in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). Led by regional CEOs, these offices will serve as hubs for decision-making and strategic development tailored to their assigned Neumann Kaffee Gruppe Transforms for the Future market territories. By decentralizing operations and integrating regional insights, NKG aims to enhance decision-making speed, foster collaboration, and unlock new growth opportunities. Americas: Located in Hoboken, New Jersey, U.S., the regional office will oversee and direct business in the United States, Central and Latin America and is going to be headed by Nicolas Rueda Latiff. He will be leveraging his successful tenure as CEO of the NKG companies in North America as well as his ample experience in Latin America. Asia Pacific: Ruben Scholz, who will be tran- sitioning from his position as Group COO at Neumann Gruppe (NG), is going to lead opera- tions from the regional office in Singapore. Scholz brings decades of experience in coffee to the table, both at NKG and an important previous posting in Singapore. EMEA: For the time being, these regions will remain anchored in Hamburg under the direct leadership of David M. Neumann. Though at first glance the geographical grouping may seem a little odd, the decision to base operations in Hamburg was contemplated very carefully. "If you take a look at the distances and markets, Hamburg is not By Thomas Schmid The Germany-based green coffee service group has embarked on a major realignment to secure market leadership and sustainable growth. H Sponsored Content NKG headquarters in Hamburg. Photo courtesy: Neumann Kaffee Gruppe NKG Fazenda da Lagoa. Photo courtesy: Neumann Kaffee Gruppe Washing station, Kenya. Photo courtesy: Neumann Kaffee Gruppe