In 1997, Wiking Gulve began producing laminated plank floors in Roslev near Skive, Denmark. This was at a time when Danish companies were, in droves, moving their production out of the country.

The two brothers, Hans Peter and Anders Korsgaard, who founded Wiking Gulve, wanted to do something different. They wanted to produce floors from Nordic wood here in Denmark, where they could attract the most skilled craftsmen and control a responsible production of beautiful and durable floors with consideration for the environment.

This is still the case, even though Wiking Gulve has changed ownership a couple of times. Now, it is the ownership trio of John Bojesen, Kim Axelsen, and Henrik Nielsen who are celebrating the company's 25th anniversary. The first two also celebrate their 10th anniversary as owners this year.

“We operate close to the market and thereby minimize both time consumption and transportation costs. We believe this is the most sensible approach. With the Corona crisis and the war in Ukraine, we have seen that it was also sensible in terms of ensuring secure supplies,” says Kim Axelsen.

Good for Business
It also serves as a good business strategy. The company employs 30 people, and in recent years, the gross profit has been close to DKK 15 million, with a final profit of DKK 2.5 million. “Every day, we do what we can to be relevant in the Danish market with new wood types, dimensions, and surfaces. We are doing well despite tough competition from imported floors. Some have called us bumblebees, because we could actually fly. We just think we have remained grounded,” says CEO and co-owner Henrik Nielsen.

Working with 360-Degree Sustainability
Sustainability has also become a competitive parameter in recent years, and it is something the owners invest in. Wiking Gulve's products, for example, became Cradle to Cradle Certified® at the bronze level in 2020. This means that the product and processes meet strict criteria in terms of health, environment, circular economy, climate, and social justice.
For example, the factory exclusively uses renewable energy, and the wood comes from responsible, FSC-certified Danish and Northern European forests.
"The scheme obligates us to continuously make our footprint on the world more and more sustainable 360 degrees around the company. We must document this with a recertification every two years. Among other things, we are developing new and healthier surface treatments and working to reuse wastewater from our gluing facility and utilize residues from production," explains John Bojesen, who hopes to advance to silver level at the next recertification.

"What we do, we do properly. That was the company's philosophy 25 years ago. It is today, and it is also the philosophy we will carry into the next 25 years," emphasizes John Bojesen.

Wiking Gulve marks its anniversary with an open factory for customers and suppliers in Roslev on Friday, June 17, 2022.

FACTS

1997: Brothers Hans Peter and Anders Korsgaard found Wiking Gulve.
2005: Dania Capital acquires Wiking Gulve.
2012: John Bojesen and Kim Axelsen buy Wiking Gulve.
2019: Henrik Nielsen joins as a partner.