Nordmann names Martin Rathke as new Managing Director
The appointment marks a strategic reinforcement of the leadership team at Nordmann, Rassmann GmbH, the Hamburg‑headquartered multinational chemical‑distribution arm of the Nordmann group.
GERMANY – Hamburg‑based Georg Nordmann Holding Aktiengesellschaft (GNH) has appointed Martin Rathke as the new Managing Director of Nordmann, effective May 1, 2026.
In his new role, Rathke will draw on this background to help steer Nordmann’s day‑to‑day management and long‑term strategic direction, particularly as the company seeks to expand its global footprint and sharpen its position in speciality-chemicals distribution.
Rathke will work alongside Ulrich Cramer, who will remain in his existing position, to form a closely aligned executive tandem at Nordmann.
The two will jointly drive Nordmann’s strategic development and oversee the company’s future course, including growth initiatives and portfolio management.
Irina Zschaler, CEO of Georg Nordmann Holding Aktiengesellschaft, stated, “Martin brings exactly the combination of entrepreneurial mindset, international experience, and leadership strength that we value in our relationships and for our path to grow”, said
“Our collaboration is based on responsibility, integrity, and the aspiration to create added value together for all involved and the entire group. We are therefore very much looking forward to welcoming our full Nordmann team.”
Nordmann, Rassmann GmbH has seen prior management shifts to support expansion, such as Ulrich Cramer’s role as Commercial Managing Director in 2023.
These updates aim to sharpen competitiveness in distributing speciality chemicals for industries like personal care and coatings.
Georg Nordmann Holding Aktiengesellschaft is a Hamburg‑based, family‑owned group active in international commodities and distribution.
Through its strategic management holding and subgroups Nordmann and ROWA GROUP, the entity reported approximately €656 million (USD 773.32 million) in turnover in 2024, with around 990 employees across Europe, Asia, and North America.
Historically, the group’s roots lie in the international trade of natural rubber (from 1912 to 2010) and cocoa (from 1915 to 1982), which evolved over time into today’s diversified distribution and industrial‑services portfolio.
Nordmann operates as a leading multinational distributor of natural and chemical raw materials, additives, and speciality chemicals.
With subsidiaries spread across Europe, Asia, and North America, the company serves as a sales‑and‑marketing bridge between global suppliers and industrial manufacturers in multiple sectors.
In 2024, Nordmann employed about 586 people worldwide and generated €517 million (USD 78.55 million) in turnover, underscoring its scale and reach in the chemical‑distribution landscape.
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