Swedish transport Hector Rail has moved to strengthen its position in the German and continental European marketplace with a key new management appointment. Stig Kyster Hansen has become the firm’s Managing Director for its Germany division, which Hector Rail regards as a highly strategic sector with the potential for growth. It comes on the back of several new contract wins, as the group looks to expand its long-term operations.

Kyster Hansen, a Dane, has a strong and diverse background in the European rail freight industry, having held leading positions with the DB Cargo group in Germany and Scandinvavia. A graduate of the Copenhagen Business School, he also played a vital role in the launch of ERS Railways in The Netherlands and Germany.

‘Strong and innovative’

“I am very much looking forward to using my experience and knowledge in leading and implementing the proven strong business model of Hector Rail and GB Railfreight as a strong and innovative challenger on the German rail freight market to the benefit of the German rail freight customers,” said Kyster Hansen. Joakim Landholm, Group CEO, added: “In his role, Stig will be a new strong member of the Group Executive Management team.”

The appointment will formally take effect from January 1 next year, enabling Hector Rail in Germany to have a well-planned and smooth transition to a stand-alone business unit, as well as a controlled separation from Hector Rail Scandinavia, Until then, Kyster Hansen will support the Hector Rail Group full time on a consulting basis. David Knowles remains the Managing Director for both Scandinavia and Germany.

Significant

Hector Rail has also signed two new significant contracts. The first is a five-year deal, due to begin in January, with mgw Service for servicing and maintenance of Hector Rail’s modern fleet of locomotives, including the Vectron 243, Taurus 242 and Traxx 241, along with the ongoing maintenance of the 441 locos.

Michael Lautenback, Managing Director of mgw Service, said: “We are thrilled to have won this important contract. It demonstrates confidence in our growing and effective company and it reinforces mgw Service as a high-quality maintenance provider in Sweden. Through this successful partnership with Hector Rail, mgw Service will go on developing maintenance services that will continuously improve fleet performance and availability.”

Environment

Hector Rail has also entered into a three-year haulage contract with Collicare Logistics that will provide a direct and vital link between Italy and Norway. It will transport general freight cargo from Parma (It) to Rolvsoy (No), from where wagons will be unloaded then transported to Gothenburg. The locomotive will then travel back to Basel in Switzerland in preparation for the next route. This contract is for one train a week, which runs from Friday to Monday.

Collicare is based in Norway but also has offices in Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, Lithuania, China, India, Germany and Turkey. Ronny Nordmark, Development Manager, said: “We chose to invest in a rail service now to offer the most price efficient transport from Italy to Norway. In addition, this is the most environmentally-friendly method for transporting goods. We wish to keep focusing on the environment, and this train is definitely a step in that direction.”

Headquartered in Sweden but also operating in Norway, Germany and Denmark, Hector Rail is owned by the private investment fund EQT, as is the UK-based GB Railfreight.