ASUTIL Founding Member Kauffmann passes away

By Luke Barras-hill |

Kaufmmann

In memory of ASUTIL Co-Founder Samuel Kauffmann, who is understood to have passed away yesterday (18 May).

It is with great sadness that TRBusiness reports the death of Samuel Kauffmann, one of Asociacion Sudamericana de Tiendas Libres’ (ASUTIL) original founders.

TRBusiness learned of the passing of the former ASUTIL President and Brasif executive early this morning (19 May) through tributes pouring in via social media.

FORMER PRESIDENT

Kauffmann served as ASUTIL President from January 2003 to December 2005 and was an IAADFS board member at the same time.

Alongside Santos de Araujo Fagundes, he represented Brasif at a meeting attended by a group of South American DF&TR operators in early 1994.

This led to the start of the process that culminated in the creation of ASUTIL.

Kauffmann also represented Brasif at the first formal assembly on 29 September 1995 in Buenos Aires.

Honoured along with other ASUTIL founders at the 2014 conference in Mexico, he also attended the gala dinner at the final ASUTIL event in Rio de Janeiro at the Copacabana Hilton last year.

In a statement, ASUTIL said: “With deep sorrow we report the death of Samuel Kauffmann today [17:00pm, 18 May].

“Samuel was part of the driving team of ASUTIL and is one of its founders, as well as its president for several years. Thanks to his contribution and determination, ASUTIL is now 24 years old.

“All of us who work with him and shared years of effort and camaraderie will remember him with great respect and appreciation since besides being a great professional he was above all a great person. R.I.P.”

A further statement received later by TRBusiness from José Luis Donagaray, Secretary General, ASUTIL said: “Duty free in the Americas loses one of the iconic promoters and defenders.

“ASUTIL loses one of its founders, Presidents and someone who always provided great support.

“We all lose a friend and an excellent person who was always open for a chat and to give advice.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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