Hans Mellstrom 1942 - 2020

Hans Mellström died on on the Sunday nineteen April 2020 due to the Covid-19 disease. Before entering boating Hans Mellström started the company WM-data together with Thord Wilkne in the late 1960s, in 1985 the company is listed on the A2 list of the Stockholm Stock Exchange, and in 2006 is sold to Logica. At its peak WM-data had around ten thousand employees. Hans passion with boats starts in 1979 when he purchases his first Storebro boat, an SRC 31. His passion to boats will lead to five other Storebro purchased and eventually the purchase of the 1946 founded Swedish boat builder.  When Elsebeth Gustafsson-Furthmair wanted to sell her shares in 1995, Hans stepped in as buyer and shortly afterwards he also acquired the shares of Roy and Lennart Ivarsson in 1997 and thus became the sole owner of Storebro Bruks AB and AB Storebro Royal Cruiser. The Viamare Group was created as a holding company for the acquired shipyard.  Under Mellström's leadership, Storebro made a number of changes to the product portfolio.  The most revolutionary act under Hans ownership was the 62ft Grand Series No. 1 model, Storebro second largest vessel with this flybridge yacht entering the Argentinean German Frers as designer, to the usual Wilke. Hans Mellstrom will in 1999 also acquire Nimbus. Due to cancer Hans Mellström was at difficulty in managing the business, giving the duties to Nimbus founders Hans and Lars Wiklund.  In 2004 Hans Mellström then sold 51% of his shares in the Viamare Group, this resulting in Storebro responsible for boats over thirteen meters, Nimbus for those below.