OUR OUTLOOK - Pressalit A/S

What does globalisation
mean for Danish companies
such as Pressalit Group?
How does the world look in
the wake of the financial crisis?
And do women managers
have special skills that
mean we should strive towards greater diversity
in business? These were some of the questions
which Dan Boyter (DB), Vice President & COO,
asked one of Denmark’s leading labour market
researchers, economist and professor Nina
Smith (NS), when they met for a dialogue on
insight and outlook.
Y TOWER
The conversation began with a discussion about
Pressalit’s decision to build a production facility
in Thailand.
DB As a production company with a strong
brand, we could have chosen to outsource our
entire production facility to Asia. We don’t want to
do this, however. We are firmly established in
Denmark and will continue to be so. But the
move in Thailand was an important step in
strengthening Pressalit as a whole because of
the tremendous hidden opportunities for growth
in the region – but also in light of the financial
crisis, which has impacted our business.
NS Once the crisis is over, we will see a new
world order. In a few years, China will be the largest
economy in the world because of its current high
rates of growth. And Danish industrial companies
will be transformed from what they are today.
Then it will no longer matter whether a division is
located in Ry or in Thailand. On
the contrary, in order to secure
jobs in Denmark, it is crucial that
companies employ staff in other
parts of the world. Your decision
therefore admirably reflects
the opportunities that globalisation
provides and demands.
DB I also think that Pressalit will
increasingly become a knowledge
company. Our employee
composition in coming years is
based on more staff with longterm
education. But we continue
to stress competency development
for our production staff.
NS Some of the jobs that have
disappeared during the crisis
will not return. We are well
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Out of the
Ivory Tower