Hamburg, November 19, 2024 – Port International, a company with a long-standing tradition in the global trade of fresh fruit and vegetables, reinforces its strategic focus on future and growth by expanding its management team. On September 26, 2024, Karlsson Port and Mathias Marten were officially appointed as Managing Directors of Port International GmbH and have since joined Mike Port in leading the family business. Together with André Lüling and Philippe Peiró, the other Managing Directors of the Port Group, they will play a key role in driving the company’s further development.
“This is an important step in the transition to the next generation, which sends a clear signal of the vitality and innovative strength our industry consistently demands. At the same time, our customers and partners can continue to trust in the high quality and reliability that the Port family and the entire company group have stood for nearly 150 years,” emphasizes Mike Port, Managing Director of Port International.
Karlsson Port – A Strong Representative of the Next Generation
Karlsson Port has been part of the company for six years, representing the Port family’s sixth generation in the fruit trade. For the past two years, he has served as Managing Director of the Banana Division, excelling not only in sales but also in the expansion of sourcing operations in South America through the establishment of Exclusive Partner Farms. His strategic thinking and commitment to sustainability throughout the entire supply chain bring significant value to the company’s leadership.
Mathias Marten – Extensive Expertise in Consulting and the Food Industry
Mathias Marten brings many years of experience from a leading auditing firm and the senior positions he held in the food production industry. As an auditor and business consultant, he specialized in mergers and acquisitions, finance transformation, and digitalization. His seven years of experience in the food industry and deep understanding of transformation processes make him an excellent addition to the management team, strengthening the company for future challenges.
About Port International GmbH
Port International GmbH is a family-run fruit trading company based in Hamburg. When Tiete Port founded the firm T. Port in 1875, he laid the foundation for today’s corporate group. With approximately 120 employees and representatives worldwide, the company offers the wholesale and retail market a wide range of fresh fruits and vegetables from Europe and overseas all year round.
The Port family has nearly 150 years of experience in the global fruit trade and is considered a pioneer in the industry. For instance, the company imported organic and Fairtrade bananas to Europe as early as the late 1990s and launched the BE CLIMATE brand in 2019, which promotes and implements sustainable climate goals such as the reduction and offsetting of CO2 emissions. With the Exclusive Partner Programme, established in 2022, Port International continues its commitment to future-oriented industry development by establishing long-term partnerships with producers worldwide and promoting the optimization of sustainable farming methods.
Contact:
Daniel Blanke
daniel.blanke@port-international.com