Bus company finds new routes
Jesper Andersen from Gudhjem Bus. The company was taken over in 2014 by Mark Palmquist, who in 2019 brought Jesper Andersen into the business as co-director. The company operates school buses, tourist buses and flexbuses, among others, and also operates for SOS Dansk Autohjælp.
Gudhjem Bus is hoping for a positive impact from the offshore activity expected in the Baltic Sea in the coming years. Therefore, the company is currently preparing itself with an ISO certification.
When Nord Stream 2 – the 1,234-kilometre-long natural gas pipeline running through the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany – was to be buried near Bornholm in 2021, Gudhjem Bus received a surprising offer:
– We were contacted by a foreign guy who needed transport for 700 people for a crew change, and we'd certainly like to help with that, says Director Jesper Andersen with a big smile as he welcomes us and we have manoeuvred past a white limousine parked in the lobby of the small Østermarie-based transport company.
– It was actually quite a fun job. We had to pick up at the airport, drive to the hotel, and in some cases, we also had to drive to passport control at the police station. Then we had to head back out to the airport, where they were picked up by a helicopter that flew them out to the boats – and vice versa. There was Right a lot of back and forth, and sometimes there were two of our buses out at the airport at the same time, he continues, explaining that the small company enjoys pursuing the slightly more niche-oriented tasks.
What does ISO mean?
(International Organization for Standardization) is the world's largest publisher of international standards with 164 national member organisations from all over the world.
There is a wealth of ISO standards, and in short, they provide guidance on good management practice within a range of areas such as quality, environment and the working environment.
Hereby they promote international trade in goods and services.
Sources: ISO and Danish Standards
– We are two co-owners sitting at the head of the table in Gudhjem Bus, and we are capable of almost anything, he laughs.
– It is also necessary for a small business like ours. The corona crisis has made it even more necessary. Among other things, we run the travel company HOLM Rejser, and it hasn't recovered to the same level as before the corona crisis. For example, our signature trip to the Cirkusrevyen is usually sold out by now, but there are still seats available, which naturally gives us food for thought. Is it too early – what does the future of travel look like in general?
Opportunity for growth
Thus, Gudhjem Bus recently began considering the potential in connection with the upcoming Energy Island and has joined an EU-supported project through Business Center Bornholm (BCB) and the Municipal Council of Bornholm (BRK) with the aim of landing an ISO certification.
– We discussed of course whether we should even start the process, as it takes a lot of time and money. But as BCB explained, you are provided with a consultant free of charge. That makes it a more manageable task – manageable, but not easy, emphasises the director, who adds that he was also recommended the certification by Denmark's leading bus operator, Vikingbus, for which Gudhjem Bus operates minibuses on the island.
– I actually asked them if it wasn't a lot of hot air, even though we are getting something for free. We still have to shell out money for the certification itself. But they told me that when tenders are issued, people do ask about those kinds of things, he says, adding that BCB expects local businesses to be passed over by larger companies if they do not have ISO approval.
– Then we just looked at each other and said: ”We simply must have that!”
How long does it take?
– Our consultant is attached until the end of 2023, so we ideally need to be finished by then. We have already had a few sessions to get started before the summer season, and then we are considering hiring a so-called growth pilot with partial support from an EU-funded programme run by the business hubs, which can help facilitate the process. It is also good to have fresh eyes on the business.
And how else are you preparing?
– We are keeping in close contact with BCB, because they also have an interest in helping us move forward now that we are actively participating in this. We do not feel we have a clear time horizon, but we are keeping a close eye on everything. And even though there are also challenges, it is important to figure out how to connect with the development. It is great finding new paths!