Karlsson Port has been Managing Director of Port International Bananas GmbH as well as Port International Organics GmbH since first of October 2022. With his entry into the management, the family tradition of the company is being continued in what is now the 6th generation. With immediate effect, Karlsson will steer the fortunes of the banana business of the company subsidiaries alongside the other Managing Director, Mike Port.
André Lüling and Philippe Peiró, who as Managing Directors of the companies Port International European Sourcing GmbH (Europe) and Port International Fruit GmbH (overseas) are responsible for the steadily growing operative business with fruit and vegetables, except bananas, are pleased about this step. “We are in very dynamic times and are pleased with the additional reinforcement in the management team, which means future for our company.”
Mike Port: “By appointing my son Karlsson as Managing Director, we are taking another important step towards continuing to be what we have been for 147 years: the ever-responsive partner who tackles challenges seriously, globally and with foresight, even if it means going the extra mile, as it is not uncommon.”
After a year in South America, Karlsson completed the dual study programme in Business Administration. This was followed by further practical experience in import & export and in the food sector at a well-known online retailer. In 2018, at the age of 24, he joined Port International as Key Account Manager for bananas and shortly afterwards, together with the project team, developed the first brand for climate-neutral fruit and vegetables “BE CLIMATE”.
Karlsson Port: “I am very much looking forward to this new challenge within the Port Group and confidently look forward to further good cooperation with my three partners. It fills me with pride to be able to form a part of the long family history and to make my own contribution. We are in challenging times where we, as a global company with a broad network, have to present flexible solutions for our customers. My mission is to fill this with a sustainable vision for the future.”
About Port International:
In 1875, the family Port established the company T.Port and, by doing so, laid the foundations for today’s group of companies. Nowadays, Port International supplies wholesalers and supermarket chains all over the world with fresh fruit and vegetables from every continent. The fruit importer with international locations is one of the market leaders for organic and Fairtrade products in Europe and in 2019 launched BE CLIMATE, the first brand of climate-neutral fruit and vegetables. At the end of 2021, the company was awarded the Sustainability Heroes Award in the category “Carbon Footprint”.