Administrerende direktør, Henrik Clausen

Summary

Henrik Clausen, CEO of Davidsen, shares the company's history, growth, and strategic decisions. Founded in 1944, Davidsen expanded significantly, especially after being acquired by Kesko in 2024. With a focus on the B2B market, Davidsen made key acquisitions to become a nationwide player in Denmark. The company emphasizes strong local presence, sustainability in the building industry, and CO2 reduction, while fostering a close connection with its customers. Clausen highlights Davidsen’s journey, the importance of focusing on key segments, and the exciting developments in the industry, particularly around sustainability and innovation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Henrik Clausen, the CEO of Davidsen, has worked in the trade industry for nearly 30 years, focusing primarily on the B2B market.
• 😀 Davidsen was established in 1944 by Christian Davidsen and has grown significantly, with recent acquisitions making it a nationwide company with 23 branches across Denmark and Greenland.
• 😀 Kesko, a Finnish conglomerate, now owns 90% of Davidsen after acquiring shares in 2024, with the Davidsen family retaining 10% ownership.
• 😀 Davidsen's strategy shifted six years ago to focus more on B2B customers, specifically targeting professional tradespeople, rather than a broad consumer market.
• 😀 The company's transformation included narrowing its product range to better serve its primary target audience, emphasizing expertise in selected areas rather than trying to cover too many categories.
• 😀 Kesko's acquisition of Davidsen was driven by an ambition to expand in Denmark, leading to a rapid growth strategy with plans to reach 50 locations across the country by 2055.
• 😀 Davidsen's revenue has grown from 1.8 billion DKK to an estimated 6 billion DKK, thanks to strategic acquisitions and focus on increasing volume.
• 😀 A key part of the growth strategy is to increase local presence, with each store being managed by a local director who has full responsibility for its performance.
• 😀 The company's leadership structure ensures close connection with local markets, with regions managed by directors who are integral to decision-making at the executive level.
• 😀 Davidsen is focused on sustainability, addressing CO2 emissions in the construction industry, and exploring trends like recycled materials, prefabrication, and reduced transportation to support environmental goals.

Q & A

Who is Henrik Clausen, and what is his role in the company?

Henrik Clausen is the CEO of Davidsen, a position he has held for seven years. He is 49 years old and has worked in the trade industry for nearly 30 years, with a focus on B2B markets.

What is the history behind the establishment of Davidsen?

Davidsen was founded in 1944 by Christian Davidsen in Sommersted, Southern Jutland. The company has since grown and evolved, merging with other businesses over the years, including a significant merger in 1969 that shaped its future as a timber trade company.

What significant change took place in 2024 regarding Davidsen's ownership?

In 2024, 90% of Davidsen's shares were sold to the Finnish conglomerate Kesko, while the Davidsen family retained a 10% stake. Despite this, Poul Davidsen, who is now 82, remains actively involved in the company, and his son, Søren Davidsen, is on the board.

What was Davidsen's strategy in terms of market focus in recent years?

Davidsen decided to focus exclusively on the B2B segment, specifically targeting professional customers like craftsmen. This was a strategic decision aimed at simplifying their offerings and focusing on areas where they could excel.

Why did Davidsen decide to narrow its product focus?

Davidsen realized that their previous broad range of products, including everything from candy to building materials, was too wide to be competitive. By focusing on the B2B market, they aimed to specialize and deliver higher value to their primary customer base.

How has the ownership change to Kesko influenced Davidsen's growth strategy?

Kesko's acquisition of Davidsen has been a driving force for expansion. With Kesko's ambition for growth, Davidsen has been focusing on consolidating the Danish market, including acquiring other businesses to increase their presence nationwide.

What significant acquisitions did Davidsen make in 2024?

In August 2024, Davidsen announced the acquisition of three companies—Roslev Trælasthandlen, Tømmergården, and CF Petersen & Søn. These acquisitions allowed Davidsen to expand its operations nationwide in Denmark.

How does Davidsen plan to maintain a strong local presence while expanding?

Despite their expansion, Davidsen emphasizes local management. Each branch is run by a local director with full responsibility for their region. This structure ensures that the company remains closely connected to the communities it serves.

What is the significance of sustainability in the construction industry, according to Davidsen?

Sustainability is a crucial issue for the construction industry, especially regarding CO2 emissions. Davidsen is focusing on trends like recycled materials and prefabrication to reduce their environmental impact and contribute to more sustainable building practices.

What key trends is Davidsen observing in the building industry?

Davidsen has noted several trends, including the use of recycled materials, increased use of prefabricated building components, and production closer to construction sites. All these trends are linked to sustainability efforts within the construction sector.