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35th anniversary in H. Daugaard: CEO Michael Frihagen
CEO and co-owner Michael Frihagen turns 35 years of employment at H. Daugaard on August 23, 2023, so we put him in the hot seat to talk about his role as a leader then and now.
It was not immediately in the cards that Michael would end up as CEO of H. Daugaard when, on August 23, 1988, he started as a working boy on the floor with a view to starting an apprenticeship as a forwarding agent eight months later.
The first time in the office corridors as well as on the floor, however, proved to be formative for the fact that the 35-year-old is still at H. Daugaard today and that his career has gone the way it has.
What drives me most is to succeed through people.
Always leading by example
We asked Michael Frihagen to put into words which factors are his greatest strengths as a leader. In particular, he believes that being able to take action with a desire to succeed as the primary driving force in everything he does has been of great importance. He adds: "But I don't need to stand on the stool as the one who succeeds, but rather that we succeed together in H. Daugaard."
During our interview, a picture emerges of a sympathetic, honest and capable CEO who wants the industry, the employees and H. Daugaard with his tenacity and ability to see business opportunities.
"When a decision has been made, I like to lead by example." And he never stops until the goal is achieved. Over the years, Michael has learned the importance of having skilled and hungry employees around him wherever he can: "help employees make the right decisions and see them succeed". One of the best things in Michael's view is to see an employee take responsibility and develop with what they love to do.
For Michael Frihagen himself, his passion for freight forwarding and logistics is still alive and well. An interest that he doesn't get from strangers. With a father who had his own freight forwarding business, it was also the topic of conversation at the dinner table in his childhood home. As a result, he has entered the industry with a large network of contacts, and it is: "not that small even in this industry".
Department manager as a second year student
Michael describes himself as curious by nature and with a strong desire to explore what drives people to do what they do.
When there are questions in my head, they come out too. No matter who or what it is about.
This had a direct impact on Michael Frihagen taking up his first management position at H. Daugaard at the age of just 21 - as head of the export department - while still a second-year student. At just 30 years old, Michael Frihagen took on the role of CEO of H. Daugaard - after a few years as chief dispatcher, head of the freight forwarding department and sales director, respectively.
Michael has been around the company a lot. He knows most of the corners and people who are employed, which has been a great advantage. In 2006, he became a co-owner. Today, he owns 30% of the company together with Palle Mogensen (30%), Michael Dixi Nielsen (30%) and Carsten Eskildsen (10%). And so he can celebrate his 35th anniversary.
What does the future look like for H. Daugaard?
Finally, we ask Michael Frihagen to give his take on where H. Daugaard will be in 10 years and what will define the development in this period.
Michael has no doubts: "We continue to see good growth and are leading the way in more sustainable logistics and freight forwarding. And it's my responsibility to take the lead in making this development happen." H. Daugaard will go its own way with a strengthened business model similar to the one they have always operated with. If you follow in the footsteps of others, you'll never get ahead, if you ask Michael.
He predicts that the big common game changer will be AI (artificial intelligence).
AI is going to play a huge role in all industries. That includes the logistics industry. Whether we should fear it or look forward to it is the big question. But we are forced to consider how it will take over our work.
Therefore, one of the most important factors going forward is that H. Daugaard continues the effective strategic and human work to create a highly motivated organization.
The success criterion for me is not to reach 500 employees. It's being a sustainable company that grows healthily.
Congratulations on your 35th anniversary to Michael Frihagen, who is the personification of H. Daugaard's values. Finally, Michael Frihagen would like to thank the people he has gotten to know over the years as customers, colleagues and business partners.
