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At the 18th presentation of the prestigious DVZ LEO Award, Christiane Bauer, HR Manager at Emons, was honored in the “Manager” category — for her courage to break new ground, for her commitment to tackling the shortage of skilled workers and for a team effort that sets standards in the logistics sector.
The jury thus honored their commitment to the “Why not Logistics” training project, which provides young people from West Africa with vocational training in Germany and brings urgently needed young talent to the industry.
New ways to combat the shortage of skilled workers
It quickly became clear to Christiane Bauer that things would not continue like this. The shortage of skilled workers in logistics was no longer just an issue, but a specific problem, particularly in the commercial sector. Traditional recruiting measures fizzled out and there were no applications. So she decided: We're rethinking it.
This is how the “Why not Logistics” project was created, an international training program that specifically recruits young people from West Africa. A pilot who has now brought over 60 trainees to Germany.
From pitch to award
The idea for the project was further developed as part of the Emons | Digital incubation program. During the first pitch in autumn 2022, she was able to convince the jury at Emons Demo Day. Because Christiane Bauer not only had a vision, but also a clear plan: language as the key to success, close local support and intercultural competence as a basic attitude.
On August 1, 2023, less than 12 months later, eight trainees from the Democratic Republic of Congo started at Emons. Today, there are already 28 more to follow this year: including young people from Burkina Faso and Côte d'Ivoire.
Professional driver, warehouse specialist, warehouse logistics specialist and mechatronics technician are trained. Four women are also there. The program is closely linked with the Goethe-Institut, the BAMF and local authorities, and integration is actively supported.
“This award belongs to all of us”
For Christiane Bauer, the prize is one thing above all else: a team success. She expressly acknowledged the commitment of colleagues from the HR sector, the support of the Supervisory Board and the backing of the entire Emons workforce.
She also emphasized the courage of young people who are starting their education in a new country: “You are a great motivation for us — and an important social signal. ”
Emons breaks new ground
The DVZ honored Bauer as a “determined, cosmopolitan and inspiring personality” who shows what modern personnel work in logistics can look like. And how important it is to actively address societal challenges instead of sitting them out.
For Emons, the LEO Award 2025 is a special award and at the same time confirmation that our commitment can open up completely new paths, even in an industry steeped in tradition such as logistics.
🔗 Find out more about the “Why not Logistics” project and our training work in logistics at: www.whynotlogistics.de
Photo: DVZ/Marco Grundt or DVZ/Hinrich Franck
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