The morning coffee has just been drunk, and there is a commotion around the table at Hanstholm Skibssmedie. Almost before I have entered the door, Jesper Pedersen arrives quickly, efficiently and friendly to welcome me, provide a fresh cup of coffee from the Merrild coffee machine and show me the way to his office. Today, as CEO and second-generation owner-manager, he runs the company with an ownership stake of 51 percent together with two co-owners.
The director's office has a maritime feel with the ship yard's moldings, where a photo of himself with his father adorns it, along with a sea of certifications such as ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001, to name just a few.
This is also one of the reasons why Jesper Pedersen sees his own company as being very ready for the work that may come if Hanstholm becomes a shipping port for, for example, the Thor offshore wind farm.
- It is experience, know-how and certifications that have given us work. It will also be the case if we become a shipping port. There will be a synergy effect that creates jobs, says Jesper Pedersen.
Here he is not only thinking about his own company but also the others in the Port of Hanstholm. The port's director, Nils Skeby, has extensive plans for wind turbines, biogas plants, and PtX plants with both hydrogen and methanol production on the port area, which could become a reality as early as 2022.
- The companies are ready to step up. It is our duty to be ready when the green transition comes. It will be our task to sell ourselves. If I am skilled enough in my company, it will be a huge success, says Jesper Pedersen.
Frequent change of port directors has created frustration
As a company manager, Jesper Pedersen is used to the fact that it is long-term planning that creates good results. However, the Port of Hanstholm has lacked the important stability in senior management.
- We have had six different port directors in eight years. It is completely impossible to deal with as an independent person. It stops some processes when there are changes in management. It makes it difficult, says Jesper Pedersen.
Since August 2020, Nils Skeby has been director of the Port of Hanstholm, and it has been a collaboration that promises well for the future.
- I am really happy to have Nils Skeby as port director. Trust takes time to build, and it does not come overnight. That's why it's important that he stays, states Jesper Pedersen.
The change of chairman in the port's board in August also plays a role here, because then Kirsten Hede replaced the incumbent chairman Martin Vestergaard, who has held the position since 2014. Hede has been an ordinary member of the board since 2015.
Jesper Pedersen has full confidence in the new chairman, but there must be no more changes of guard in the director's chair.
- Stability is important. We have been fully up and ready for new things before, but then nothing happens, says Jesper Pedersen about the consequences of the frequent changes of directors.
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