Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) mourns the death of Metrans founder and longtime CEO, Jiri Samek, who passed away on 27 April 2018 at the age of 63 following a severe disease.
Angela Titzrath, Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board of Metrans and CEO of HHLA, honours the deceased in a press release as a far-sighted entrepreneur with a pioneering spirit. The success story of Metrans bears the signature of Jiri Samek. It was thanks to his entrepreneurial courage that an idea born in the aftermath of the fall of the Iron Curtain became one of the leading private railway operators in Europe.
What began in October 1991 with a leased terminal in Prague, developed under the leadership of Jiri Samek into an efficient network with further hub terminals in Dunajska Streda, Ceska Trebova and Budapest. Angela Titzrath: “Jiri Samek did a great job and left us a big task. We will treat this legacy responsibly and always keep an honourable memory for Jiri Samek.”
As of April 1, 2018, HHLA had acquired the remaining shares of the Metrans Group from the Management Board, and is now the sole owner of the railway operator. In the course of this decision, the Supervisory Board of Metrans approved personnel changes at the top of the group. Peter Kiss was appointed as the new CEO. He has been with the company since 1999 and has been a member of several Metrans companies. Further Members of the Board are Martin Horinek (COO) and Pavel Pokorny (CFO).
Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) is a leading European port and transport logistics group. Its container hubs are the heart of a network that connects ports with inland regions. The business model relies on innovative technologies and is committed to sustainability.