H.P. Therkelsen, which just celebrated its 100th anniversary, is a family-owned company and has been for four generations. But in addition to the consanguinity, another family has developed over the years – namely with the employees. At least that is what it feels like to Ursula Fischer and Werner Hansen, who just celebrated their 50th anniversary at H.P. Therkelsen.
In 1968, only two weeks apart, the two schoolmates Ursula Fischer and Werner Hansen from the business school in Bov took an apprenticeship at what was then called Padborg Transit, which was acquired by H.P. Therkelsen in the 1990s. They worked mornings three days a week and attended school in the afternoon.
‘I began in Import Account in 1970’, Ursula says. ‘Back then everything was done using paper and pen, and all import was recorded in a rough draft. And once it had been approved, with neat check marks, it was typed’.
‘I later transferred to the department of freight forwarding, where I handled papers for the US Army for whom we transported dairy products to American bases in Germany’.
Werner Hansen, now Quality and Insurance Manager at H.P. Therkelsen, has an impressive resume:
‘After completing my apprenticeship, I came to the paper department, where I worked on import and export and was responsible for documents relating to customs and freight’, he says.
‘After that I have, among other things, handled fish shipped from the Nordic countries to Switzerland via the Netherlands etc., and I have made customer visits, participated in food fairs etc., been responsible for bidding and for apprentices and the recruitment hereof’.
About 10 years ago Werner was given the title of Quality Manager, and since then he has been responsible for IFS certification, which is a quality control system for haulage and storage of foodstuffs. In addition, he solves administrative tasks relating to the authorities and to insurance cases concerning vehicles and goods as well as various business liability insurances.
‘Yes, I perform several roles here’, Werner says and adds that he also sits on the working environment committee.
The Digital Development
Keeping pace with the digital development has been difficult for many who have been used to pen and paper. Ursula and Werner consider it a positive experience, though.
‘The first computer was introduced 10 years after I started working here’, Ursula says. ‘It was huge and extremely noisy – and then it printed endless sheets of paper. Later actual EDB systems were introduced – and then the development picked up speed. Keeping pace with the development is extremely exciting. In time, new procedures become routine, and as long as you are interested, you will learn’.
Werner adds: ‘H.P. Therkelsen has managed to develop throughout the years and make some good investments. This includes the right IT solutions, which are of a very high quality’.
The Working Environment
When you ask Ursula and Werner about job satisfaction, they do not hesitate for a moment. ‘It is the best place to work’, Werner says. ‘Peter and Mogens are great bosses, and their door is always open if there is something on our mind’.
And the fact that it is a family-run company is a positive thing, he finds. ‘Because you can tell that they feel responsible for the company and for us, the staff. It feels like we are one big family’.
Ursula agrees: ‘They make a great effort with regard to the social aspect and our health. We get subsidies for sports activities, healthcare schemes, and we both have a staff health representative and an in-house masseur. The company also supports several organisations. It makes you feel proud to work here, and we are all friends. You always look forward to going to work and to seeing your colleagues’.
The Future
Even though Ursula and Werner are both 67 years old, they do not plan to retire just yet.
‘You see, when we stop working a lot of knowledge and experience will be lost’, Werner says. He has promised to let the company know in good time before he chooses to retire.
‘I still have not decided’, Ursula says. ‘I will continue until 2020, and then we will see’.
Ursula, who runs five to six kilometres a day, continues: ‘The development causes you to age more slowly – both physically and mentally. We are more aware of how we live and what we eat today’.
‘Ah, I am not so sure’, Werner adds.
Ursula laughs. ‘No, Werner, of course you prefer that’, she says and points at a bowl of chocolate.
There is no doubt that Ursula and Werner, who have known each other for many years, have a unique relationship – and on 1 October they will be travelling to Copenhagen together with Peter and Mogens Therkelsen to be presented to The Queen and receive a medal of honour.
H.P. Therkelsen has just celebrated its 100th anniversary – and two members of staff have followed the company for 50 of those years.
Ursula and Werner have been colleagues ever since they both took an apprenticeship in 1968.
