Greetings from A-LEAF! We are thrilled to present the first edition of our “Meet Your Colleague” series, offering a closer look at the exceptional individuals shaping the identity of our company.
In this spotlight, we proudly introduce our newest colleague in the back-office team, Lasse Nygaard Christensen – Chief Financial Officer (CFO), whose journey and insights will contribute to the continued growth and success of A-LEAF.
How did he start his career, and what led him to A-LEAF? Leveraging a background in auditing and business economics, Lasse discovered his passion for dynamic environments and rapid change. A-LEAF, being a small and fast-paced organization with a robust company culture and background, presented the perfect opportunity.
Significant milestones in his career Lasse’s career has been marked by substantial involvement in international businesses, gaining invaluable insights into its strengths and risks. From heading Group Finance functions in Vestas to contributing to the growth of smaller consultancy businesses as a CFO, his journey has been defined by impactful milestones.
A typical workday in his role As A-LEAF’s CFO, Lasse navigates diverse responsibilities daily, ranging from operational tasks and financial management to contract reviews and strategic dialogues with management, owners, and the Board.
Aspects of his job that he find most exciting and/or challenging The most thrilling aspect for Lasse is envisioning the continued development of A-LEAF into an even stronger company and brand.
What advice would he give his younger self? “Aim high, look for opportunities, and go for it. This mantra has guided my career, and I believe it’s essential to encourage continuous ambition and pursuit of opportunities.” – an advice we only can encourage the people of the industry to follow.
Specialists with 10 years of experience behind them
At A-LEAF we specializes in consulting within the wind turbine industry and infrastructure projects. This year, we can look back on 10 years with speedy growth.
A-LEAF, headquartered in Hadsten, can celebrate its 10th anniversary this year since founder Anders Grimstrup-Larsen set up the consulting company. A-LEAF has gone from 1 to over 100 employees in the ten year span, and a turnover of over 90 million. DKK annually.
“You can safely say that we have had a good, solid tailwind throughout the 10 years, and the niche that I saw in the market back in 2003 proved to be sustainable. Over the years, we have maintained the strategy of being deep specialists in advising the wind turbine industry, building data centres and infrastructure projects with a particular focus on project, safety and quality management of steel structures,” explains Anders Grimstrup-Larsen, CEO and founder of A-LEAF.
From 1 to 100 employees in 10 years
Today, he has more than 100 employees spread over several countries, such as Spain, Poland, Norway, Taiwan, Germany and the USA. Over the past two years, A-LEAF has embarked on a gigantic growth journey, which has resulted in the company hiring 50 new employees. A-LEAF’s customers are leading developers in renewable energy on a global market as well as players in international projects within infrastructure and data centres.
“As a consultancy and trusted advisors for our customers, we are deeply dependent on having the most talented employees employed, and I have no doubt that we have that today. It is A-LEAF’s many consultants, employees at the head office and external advisers who are the key and the reason for our success. Today, we stand on a solid foundation with three core areas, which means that if there is unrest in one, we have tasks in the other two,” points out Anders Grimstrup-Larsen.
Expansion abroad
The latest major expansion of the company has taken place in the USA, where A-LEAF is a supporter of e.g. two large offshore wind projects. The American projects has resulted in A-LEAF opening up offices in New Bedford and Dallas TX to get closer to the American wind projects, seven employees are currently here.
“We are incredibly proud to have won the two major tasks in the USA. The tasks are right into our core area, where the focus is on project, safety and quality management of offshore wind projects and steel structures, in which we have deep expertise. The USA will be important to us in the future, and we have to live by moving our know-how to the Americans.
But Germany is also a growth area for us, and with the establishment of our country office in Hamburg in 2022, we have gained a foothold with the major global developers.
We have made agreements regarding the supply of specialists for projects in Poland and the Baltics for the next 2-3 years with options for possible extensions. In these new markets, as in the historical markets, we must ensure that we support our customers with a know-how transfer,” says Anders Grimstrup-Larsen.
Large Danish projects on the way
Denmark is still a very important area for A-LEAF, and in addition to the head office in Hadsten, an office has been established at Esbjerg Harbor and at Lindø on Funen.
“With the offices in Esbjerg and Odense, we are physically present at the locations where we believe that the green production of the future will take place. There are a number of very large and exciting projects on the drawing board here in Denmark around offshore wind farms, of which we would, of course, like to be a part of,” explains Anders Grimstrup-Larsen.
In the past two financial years, A-LEAF has been able to present a 50% increase in revenue per year, and in 2022 the turnover reached over DKK 90 million. The accounts for 2023 are expected to remain status quo due to investments in new country offices and companies abroad. In contrast, the expectations for 2024 are growth of a further 25%.
The explosive development has meant that they have chosen to expand the organization at the head office and four new faces have just started at A-LEAF. They are Thomas Nørgaard Jacobsen, Executive Assistant, Allan Rønne Gudbergsen, Head of Recruitment & Operations, Lasse Nygaard Christensen CFO and Jens Olsen Strategic advisor.
The hiring of the new team is part of the growth strategy which is in full swing at A-LEAF. The new management must be a strong driving force in making A-LEAF stronger in current and future markets, locally and internationally.
Quality assurance of Chinese technology
Anders Grimstrup-Larsen looks positively at the future and believes that the time is also ripe to look in new places in relation to future technology within wind, infrastructure and data centres.
“We are looking at China to find out what role the Chinese will play in the future delivery of technologies to the energy industry. There is no doubt that it will be necessary to know about their products, and more European manufacturers could buy into China. This means for us that there will certainly be a big focus on project, safety and quality management of the products, which is why we are already acquiring knowledge and expertise in that area,” points out Anders Grimstrup-Larsen.
He also mentions that A-LEAF, with its current experience, has been able to write a script that can be rolled out in the countries and areas where the market for wind, offshore wind and infrastructure will develop. He thus expects further establishment of offices in relevant markets.
The 10-year anniversary is celebrated with an open reception for customers, employees and business partners on Thursday 14 September at 14.00 – 20.00 at the company’s headquarters at Østergade 9 in Hadsten.
FACTS ABOUT A-LEAF:
A-LEAF celebrates its 10th anniversary Thursday 14th of September with a reception at the head office Østergade 9, Hadsten.
A-LEAF specializes in consulting, project and quality management and execution in the wind turbine industry, data centers and infrastructure projects.
A-LEAF has its head office in Hadsten, and branches at Esbjerg Harbour, Odense Harbour/Lindø. It also has offices in the following countries: USA, Taiwan, India, Spain and Germany.
A-LEAF today has 100 consultants and administrative employees spread over the eight offices around the world and carry out tasks in, among other things, Taiwan, Vietnam, all EU, GB and USA.
A-LEAF was founded in 2013 by Anders Grimstrup-Larsen.
We believe that fair contracts are essential for building successful projects and relationships. We’re committed to ensuring that our consultants are treated fairly and receive the compensation and working conditions they deserve. In this article, we’ll explain why we work with fair contracts, how we approach collaboration at A-LEAF, and the benefits of working at and with A-LEAF altogether.
The Three Check Philosophy
At A-LEAF, we follow the Three Check Philosophy to ensure the happiness and satisfaction of all parties involved in our projects. This philosophy encompasses three important checks that we prioritize throughout our process:
Client and Candidate Compatibility We understand the significance of a harmonious working relationship between our clients and candidates. Our thorough evaluation process considers not only the candidate’s qualifications but also their compatibility with the client’s values, culture, and project requirements. By ensuring a strong match, we strive to create a positive and productive collaboration from the very beginning.
Client and A-LEAF Contractual Agreement Transparent and comprehensive contractual agreements between our clients and A-LEAF are of utmost importance to us. We meticulously craft contracts that outline the project scope, deliverables, timelines, and financial arrangements. This agreement ensures clarity and aligns the expectations of all parties involved, fostering a foundation of trust and accountability.
Candidate and A-LEAF Contractual Agreement Equally important is the contractual agreement between our candidates and A-LEAF. We believe in fair compensation and conditions for our consultants, which is reflected in our contracts. Through open communication, we work closely with our candidates to establish contractual terms that guarantee their rights, rewards their expertise, and provides them with the support necessary to excel in their roles.
By adhering to the Three Check Philosophy, we strive to create an environment where both clients and candidates feel satisfied, valued, and motivated. At A-LEAF, we understand that harmonious relationships and clear contractual agreements are the pillars of successful projects, and we’re committed to upholding these principles. This results in our candidates upholding their commitment to the contract/project, which is not too common an occurrence in the industry.
Ensuring Client and Candidate Compatibility:
At A-LEAF, we have a comprehensive process in place to ensure client and candidate compatibility. We know it takes a specialist to hire a specialist. That’s why we can conduct in-depth assessments of our candidates’ skills, experience, and qualifications to identify the best fit for the client’s specific project requirements. Additionally, we facilitate open and transparent communication between the client and candidate, allowing them to assess each other’s expectations, work styles, and values. By fostering this compatibility, we aim to establish a strong foundation for a successful working relationship.
Reaching a Contractual Agreement with the Client:
When it comes to reaching a contractual agreement with our clients, we prioritize transparency and open dialogue. Our experienced team collaborates closely with the client to understand their project needs, objectives, and timeline. We carefully craft a detailed contract that encompasses all essential aspects, including project scope, deliverables, timelines, and financial arrangements. Through thorough negotiation and discussion, we ensure that the contractual agreement reflects the mutual understanding and expectations between A-LEAF and the client.
Reaching a Contractual Agreement with the Candidate:
A-LEAF places great emphasis on fair compensation and conditions for our candidates. We engage in extensive discussions and negotiations with the candidate to establish a contractual agreement that meets their expectations and safeguards their rights. Our team takes into consideration the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and industry standards to determine appropriate compensation and benefits. We also ensure that the contract clearly outlines the scope of work, project duration, payment terms, and any additional provisions necessary to create a fair and supportive working arrangement for the candidate.
By prioritizing open communication, transparency, and mutual understanding, we strive to reach contractual agreements that satisfy both our clients and candidates. At A-LEAF, we believe that successful projects are built upon strong partnerships and fair contractual arrangements, and we’re dedicated to fostering these principles throughout our processes.
It takes a specialist to hire a specialist
A-LEAF believes in providing quick and efficient recruitment services while maintaining high quality.
We understand that time is of the essence in today’s fast-paced business world, which is why we have developed a streamlined recruitment process that allows us to identify and screen candidates quickly and efficiently.
Our processes include:
In-depth understanding of the client’s project requirements and challenges.
Customized recruitment strategy tailored to the client’s specific needs.
Rigorous screening and vetting of candidates to ensure they meet our high standards.
We can maintain a high standard of candidate quality due to our technical expertise in, renewable energy projects, on- and offshore wind in particular, heavy steel, construction, and infrastructure projects. To ensure that only the most qualified and competent candidates are presented to our clients, we have developed a stringent screening and vetting procedure.
While we cannot guarantee that we will find the specialists for your project, we can guarantee that they will be a good fit if we do. Quality is our number one concern, and we will not compromise on this principle even when working under pressure.
Furthermore, our processes include:
Coordination and communication with the client throughout the recruitment process to ensure transparency and alignment.
Ongoing dialogue, performance monitoring and feedback to ensure project success and client satisfaction.
Client satisfaction
At A-LEAF, client satisfaction is a top priority. We understand that our clients’ success depends on the quality of the specialists we provide, which is why we are committed to delivering the best possible recruitment services. Our in-depth analysis of project requirements, customized recruitment strategies, and rigorous screening and vetting process ensure that we identify and place the most qualified and competent candidates for each project.
Throughout the recruitment process, we collaborate closely with our clients to ensure transparency and alignment. We provide regular progress updates and welcome feedback to ensure we are meeting the client’s expectations. We also maintain contact with the specialists we have placed to ensure that they are happy in their roles and continue to meet the needs of the client. If changes are required, we collaborate with the client and the specialist to find a solution that works for everyone.
Our goal is to develop long-term relationships with our clients, and we believe that regular communication is essential to accomplishing this. We take pride in our ability to provide exceptional recruitment services that are tailored to each client’s specific requirements, and we are dedicated to delivering the best possible results for everyone involved.
Specialist satisfaction
At A-LEAF, we not only prioritize our clients’ needs but also take great care of our employees. We understand the importance of creating a work environment where our employees feel valued and respected, and we strive to achieve this every day.
We take pride in our simple and transparent contract system, which ensures that our employees have a clear understanding of their roles, responsibilities, and compensation. We believe that a happy workforce is a productive workforce, and we work hard to make sure that our employees feel supported and appreciated.
Our employees are not just a number to us – they are our colleagues, and we make it a priority to provide them with opportunities for growth and development within our organization. We host events to encourage internal networking and team building, creating a sense of community and collaboration within our company.
We also believe in fair compensation for our employees and ensure that our pay rates are competitive within the industry. We are committed to providing our employees with a healthy work-life balance, which includes fair working hours and adequate time off.
At A-LEAF, we understand that our employees’ satisfaction is essential to the success of our business, and we strive to create a supportive and positive work environment where everyone can thrive.
What sets A-LEAF apart
At A-LEAF, we pride ourselves not only on our deep industry expertise but also on the way we treat our specialists. We understand that they are the backbone of our business and are committed to ensuring their satisfaction.
We work with simple, transparent contracts, and we take care of our specialists like colleagues, not just another number. We understand the importance of internal networking and host events to facilitate this within the company. We treat our specialists fairly and offer competitive pay to show them that they are valued.
Discover how A-LEAF prioritizes fairness in our approach to recruitment. Clickhere to learn more about our commitment to treating candidates and clients with transparency and respect.
Our understanding of the industry enables us to quickly identify and recruit the best talent from our extensive network of industry professionals. We take pride in our ability to find the right candidates for each project efficiently and effectively, without compromising on quality. Our stringent screening and vetting process ensures that we present only the most qualified and competent candidates to our clients.
With a strong focus on the wind and renewables industry, we have an established track record of providing exceptional Management, QA, QC, and HSE specialists to our clients. Our reputation for excellence in the Q & HSE services sector in the Odense and Esbjerg Port areas of Denmark is widely recognized.
Our clients have come to rely on our industry knowledge and ability to quickly and efficiently provide them with the best specialists for their projects. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist with your project needs while also prioritizing the satisfaction of our specialists.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist with your project needs.
Press Release: A-LEAF opens country office in Hamburg
The Danish consulting firm, A-LEAF Specialized Consulting, opens a country office in Hamburg on June 1st, 2022. A-LEAF specializes in consulting within the wind turbine industry and infrastructure projects. According to Anders Grimstrup-Larsen, CEO, Hamburg is the hotbed of a large part of those major projects within wind that will be put out to tender in Europe in the next few years.
”The trend is that Germany has become the center of many international, large projects. This is where agreements are concluded and put out to tender. We would therefore like to be close to the decision-making and has a country manager with a powerful, local network within the industry”, says Anders Grimstrup-Larsen.
The new country office will be headed by Sascha Weisner with 20 years of experience from local companies within offshore wind.
Photo of Sascha Weisner
The opening of the office in Germany is part of the growth strategy planned by A-LEAF and has, among other things, resulted in the company having hired 50 new employees since November 2020. The reason is a significant increase in orders and a focus on entering projects sooner, thus creating value for customers.
”We specialize in consulting within the wind turbine industry, data centers, and infrastructure projects. So far, focus has been on quality assurance of steel structures, but we spent the fall expanding our business so that we can enter processes in major projects sooner. That transformation has opened up far more and larger tasks”, says Anders Grimstrup-Larsen.
FACTS ABOUT A-LEAF:
A-LEAF opens country office in Germany on 1st of June 2022.
A-LEAF specializes in consulting, project and quality management and export within the wind turbine industry, data centers and infrastructure projects.
A-LEAF has its head office in Hadsten and departments at the Port of Esbjerg and, from 1 August 2022, also at the Port of Odense/Lindø. There are also offices in the following countries: The USA, Taiwan, India, Egypt, and Germany.
A-LEAF currently has 100 consultants and administrative employees distributed in soon to be eight national offices and performs tasks around the world in, i.a., Taiwan, Vietnam, Egypt, the entire EU, the GB, and the USA.
A-LEAF was founded in 2013 by Anders Grimstrup-Larsen.
Contact for further information:
Anders Grimstrup-Larsen, Founder and CEO. Tel. +45 21 61 82 22. Mail: agl@a-leaf.com
Das dänische Beratungsunternehmen A-LEAF Specialized Consulting eröffnet am 1. Juni 2022 seine deutsche Niederlassung in Hamburg. A-LEAF hat sich auf Beratungsleistungen für Windenergie- und Infrastrukturprojekte spezialisiert. Laut Anders Grimstrup-Larsen, CEO von A-LEAF, ist Hamburg der Dreh- und Angelpunkt für zahlreiche Windkraft-Großprojekte, die in den kommenden Jahren in Europa ausgeschrieben werden.
„Deutschland hat sich zu einem Zentrum für viele der internationalen Großprojekte entwickelt. Hier ist es, wo die großen Ausschreibungen veröffentlicht und vergeben werden. Deshalb möchten wir gerne dort präsent sein, wo die Entscheidungen getroffen werden. Und wir tun das mit einem Country Manager, der über ein starkes lokales Netzwerk in der Branche verfügt“, verdeutlicht Anders Grimstrup-Larsen.
Die neue Niederlassung wird von Sascha Weisner geleitet, der auf eine 20-jährige Erfahrung in globalen Offshore-Windenergieunternehmen zurückblickt.
Die Eröffnung der Deutschland-Niederlassung ist Teil der von A-LEAF verfolgten Wachstumsstrategie, in deren Zuge allein 50 neue Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter seit November 2020 angestellt worden sind. Das Wachstum stützt sich auf einen deutlichen Anstieg der Auftragseingänge und darauf, dass die Beratung verstärkt in früheren Projektphasen ansetzt, um so eine zusätzliche Wertschöpfung für Kunden zu bieten.
„Wir haben uns auf Beratungsleistungen in der Windenergie-Branche, für Datenverarbeitungszentren sowie für Infrastrukturprojekte spezialisiert. Bislang lag unser Schwerpunkt auf der Qualititätssicherung von Stahlkonstruktionen. Seit vergangenem Herbst haben wir unser Leistungangebot so erweitert, dass wir bereits zu einem früheren Zeitpunkt in Großprojekte einsteigen können. Diese Transformation hat uns den Zugang zu mehr und größeren Aufträgen ermöglicht”, erklärt Anders Grimstrup-Larsen.
ÜBER A-LEAF:
A-LEAF eröffnet zum 1.6.2022 eine Niederlassung in Deutschland.
A-LEAF ist auf Beratungsleistungen, Projekt- und Qualitätssteuerung und Projektausführungen in der Windenergie-Branche, für Datenverarbeitungszentren und für Infrastrukturprojekte spezialisiert.
A-LEAF hat seinen Hauptsitz in Hadsten/Dänemark und betreibt Zweigstellen im Hafen von Esbjerg sowie ab dem 1.8.2022 auch im Hafen von Odense/Lindø. Ferner verfügt A-LEAF über Niederlassungen in den USA, Taiwan, Indien, Ägytpten und Deutschland.
A-LEAF beschäftigt heute 100 Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter in der Beratung und Verwaltung, verteilt auf die demnächst acht Landes-Niederlassungen. Von hier aus werden Projekte in u. a. Taiwan, Vietnam, Ägypten, der gesamten EU, Großbritannien und in den USA betreut.
A-LEAF wurde 2013 von Anders Grimstrup-Larsen gegründet.
Kontakt für weiterführende Auskünfte:
Anders Grimstrup-Larsen, Gründer und CEO. Tel. +45-21 61 82 22. E-Mail: agl@a-leaf.com
