Shaping the future: Are you ready to take new directions with your employees?

Port of Aalborg, one of Denmark’s largest inland ports, is a leader in both the green transition and technological development.

They have created an environment that undoubtedly supports businesses and their employees in developing and staying ahead of the future.

At the core of Port of Aalborg’s operations is a strong commitment to environmental sustainability. This same focus is shared by many of the companies based in the port’s business park.

Watch the video – How quickly can you cycle from central Aalborg to the business park?

Two companies renting space at the port are Arctic Import and Blue World Technologies, both of which have no plans of relocating anytime soon.

“The port area is a major catalyst for growth, both for us and for the entire region. This is largely due to Port of Aalborg’s approach as a landlord,” says Anders Korsgaard, CEO of Blue World Technologies.

Thomas Hjort, CEO of Arctic Import, wholeheartedly agrees.

“We’ve been at the port for several years and moved into a brand-new building about a year and a half ago – still within the port. That’s nearly the best indication of how positive it is to rent here,” he explains.

Arctic Import shares its building with several other companies, though there are still office spaces available.

From the start, Arctic Import was involved in the design process of their new office space, ensuring the office environment was exactly as desired.

This allowed them to create the best conditions not only for the company but especially for their employees, both current and future.

Closer than you think

One of the main attractions for businesses in the port is its focus on the daily needs of employees.

The area offers health programs, a fitness center, a canteen, and other activities.

The port’s location on the outskirts of Aalborg Øst (East) also provides easy access to work, thanks to bike paths and bus routes that bring the city and the port closer together.

Many Aalborg residents have the impression that Aalborg Øst and Port of Aalborg are too far from the city center.

However, the direct bike paths and bus routes have made it easier to connect the city with the port.

This was evident when we, at MigogAalborg, visited the port to speak with businesses in the business park.

For those not cycling or taking the bus, free parking is available at the port, which is a rarity in the city center.

Whether you need to head into the center of the country’s fourth-largest city, catch a flight from Aalborg Airport, or have employees who need easy access to the motorway, the offices are no more than 20 minutes away.

A hub for sharp minds and high-tech companies

Arctic Import, which sells goods to the North Atlantic, benefits from collaborating with other companies at the port.

This collaboration is easily achievable when leading companies and employees work in close proximity, as is the case in the business park.

The port’s location is also important when it comes to attracting the right employees, as it is close to Aalborg University, where many of their student assistants come from.

In addition to Aalborg University, several of the port’s companies have benefited from students from UCN and Techcollege, who contribute top-notch talent to the businesses.

Finding the right employees locally is never a problem.

These collaborations give Port of Aalborg access to the latest knowledge and research, enabling them to develop effective solutions for both familiar and emerging issues, both locally and globally.

Moreover, Aalborg University has been named Europe’s best technical university several times, making graduates from the university highly sought after by companies like Arctic Import and Blue World Technologies.

For Arctic Import, qualified IT professionals are essential for the company’s future, with roles in IT support, e-commerce, and IT architecture at the forefront. A spot in the business park is therefore crucial.

“We hire many students as assistants, and several are so good at their work that they end up with more permanent roles here,” says Thomas Hjort, continuing:

“Although it sounds raw and industrial, the port is also home to many other businesses. For example, we could see it being very interesting if more trade or food-related businesses recognized the potential of having a spot in the business park.”

Mutual benefits are the key when businesses in Aalborg collaborate with the city’s educational institutions. Besides raising the educational level, the collaboration also results in a well-trained workforce capable of developing solutions in innovation, production, transport, logistics, and, not least, sustainability.

Together for Green Transition

Port of Aalborg is dedicated to driving the green agenda because they recognize that the future lies in sustainable growth.

The port is involved in various national and international partnerships and projects that continuously strengthen the framework for greener development.

However, their focus is not only global but also local.

Port of Aalborg is part of several green development projects in collaboration with local authorities, organizations, knowledge institutions, and businesses.

The shared goal is to contribute to Aalborg Municipality’s business strategy, with green energy security being a key area for supporting and attracting companies in the green transition.

This is why the port’s business park is an attractive area for both large, established companies and newer ventures.

Every day, the port works on finding new ways to transition to CO2-neutral operations and help partners and clients develop greener processes.

One of the most revolutionary projects currently underway is the development of green fuels.

Port of Aalborg is focused on making processes greener, both within their own operations and with the companies in the business park. As they put it, “We are ready to be your gate to green.”

When 1+1 equals 3

The port not only places a strong emphasis on the green transition but also seeks to increase collaboration between businesses at the port, especially around the green mission. They believe that working together will help companies find the best ways to innovate, grow, and achieve the green transition.

Port of Aalborg’s main goal is for businesses and employees in the business park to benefit from each other’s strengths, making it even more attractive for other companies and the younger workforce to join the community at the port.

For this reason, three annual meetings are arranged for tenants in the business park, where various topics are discussed.

Besides providing businesses with opportunities to meet one another, these meetings facilitate knowledge sharing and idea exchange.

Some businesses are highly focused on the green transition, while others are leading in completely different areas, making these gatherings a foundation for innovation and new business opportunities.

At Blue World Technologies, they appreciate being at the port, where there are wide open spaces and industry at its heart.

“Logistically, we are in a hub.

We are about 100 people now, but when we – three people and a coffee machine – initially moved to the port, it was because we knew this was the best place to grow while staying close to the city,” says Anders Korsgaard, CEO.

At the port, they have the advantage of the necessary permits and the right environmental zones already in place, which is crucial when building a factory for large-scale production.

This approach aligns well with Port of Aalborg’s philosophy that when businesses collaborate, it leads to collective growth for the company, its employees, and the surrounding community. This benefits everyone in the long run.

And that’s what’s needed to develop innovative solutions and technologies that benefit us all, both locally and globally.

You can read more about the business park at Port of Aalborg and their efforts for a smarter and greener future right here.