Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller: The Danish Shipping Magnate. Thomas Larsen, Finn Mortensen. 2011. Gyldendal Business. 301 pp.
.png){kind=small}
In charge of A.P. Møller - Mærsk, the world’s largest container shipping company, for more than fifty years, Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller is one of a kind within the global business community. Celebrated, criticized, shy and shrouded in myth. A man of incredible power, influence and charisma.
Up until now, very few people have known the man behind the myth. They are the close confidants and advisers who have dared to challenge his strong will and firm opinions, dared to disagree and offered alternative points of view and new solutions. For the first time ever, they speak out openly and frankly about their relationship with the 98-year old shipowner, who also himself vividly recounts his childhood, upbringing and incredible career.
- This is basically a personal account of the life of Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller, third generation in charge of a vessel family business which he transformed in the world’s largest container shipping company. Mærsk tells his story, and through several interviews, he reflects on business and life, and shares some wisdom gleaned throughout his long life —he was 97 at the time.
- But, as usual in this exercises, it is almost impossible to separate the man from the firm as they are deeply ingrained, so we learn how the major events that forged the character of Mærsk also gave shape to the Møller company, throughout the Second World War, the Oil Crisis and the evolution of the danish society.
- One interesting point about this work, is that it not only relies on one account, but also includes the versions and perspectives of those who accompanied this journey of life that its own protagonist hesitates to describe as pleasant.
Honestly, I wouldn't say that everyone in the world should read this book, but you could give it a chance if you:
- Like biographies or history
- Are interested in business literature
- Are interested in the practical wisdom of those who lived an achieving life
Out of curiosity.
 |
| Maersk Containers on the México-Querétaro highway |
«It requires an adult to take responsibility. He always takes responsibility.»
—Ane Mærsk Mc-Kinney Uggla
«Do not give up! All that is worth doing, is worth doing well. Never give up».
—Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller
«Always constant care, hard work and common sense! Get decent people (as collaborators). Get to know the ships.»
—Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller
«No loss should hit us which can be avoided with constant care.»
—Arnold Peter Møller
«I can be convinced of something in the evening, but when I get up in the morning and shave, I think: Maybe my conclusion was nevertheless incorrect. You should always remember to ask yourself, ‘Was it the right decision?’»
—Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller
Interview with Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller. In december 2003, Mærsk said goodbye and retired from business with a speech delivered in an intimate dinner in his private home.
«I feel like the old skipper who leaves his bridge, but keeps his cabin ... from where, over many years, have gone up daily to the chairman’s bridge».
Peter Mærsk Møller, grandfather, was born in Rømø Island in 1836. Steering sailing ships, in 1886 bought a small steamer, and because of an old pledge, he painted on the funnel a white seven-pointed star in a blue background. When he founded The Steamship Company Svendborg with his son, Arnold Peter Møller in 1904, the logo was kept.
Arnold Peter Møller married Chastine Mc-Kinney, from Kansas City. The mother gave her siblings the language of the world, english.
«As a child, I learned to respect and love America».
Mærsk received an international education, not by schooling, but by working. He initiated his apprenticeship in 1930 in the company of one of his father's associates, in Denmark. After that, he was sent to the control deparment of one of his father's companies. In 1933, he went to Hamburg, Germany to work in a foreign company, there, he mastered the german language. After that, he went back to work as head of the control department. In 1936, was employed by a scottish shipping company in Glasgow. Next year went to London to work for a commercial bank, and finally in Paris, worked for a refrigerated shipping company. He returned to his father company, and briefly after that, in 1940, Germany invaded Denmark. Mærsk married his highschool love, Emma, in hurry, was made partner in the family business and went into exile in the United States to try to hold the company together.
«In America, I learned to face difficulties and get through them».
«Do not give up! All that is worth doing, is worth doing well. Never give up».
The married couple arrived to NY in may 1940. By then, the company assets were frozen to prevent the germans from using the funds. It took willpower, struggle and networking to get them back. At the end of the war, only 21 of the initial 46 ships remained and 150 seamen from the company had lost their lives. The US government awarded damages for use and loss. In 1947, Mærsk and family got back home.
«Always constant care, hard work and common sense! Get decent people (as collaborators). Get to know the ships».
«No loss should hit us which can be avoided with constant care».
The oil affair
The merge and the retirement
Values ingrained throughout the organisation: reputation, integrity, loyalty, constant care, humility, simplicity, benchmarking performance, never underestimate competitors, salesmanship, human resources.
«I can be convinced of something in the evening, but when I get up in the morning and shave, I think: Maybe my conclusion was nevertheless incorrect. You should always remember to ask yourself, ‘Was it the right decision?’».
Chronology
| 1904 | Arnold Peter Møller found The Steamship Company Svendborg |
| 1912 | Arnold Peter Møller found The Steamship Company of 1912 |
| 1913 | Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller is born in Hellerup, Denmark |
1930 | Mærsk finishes his secondary education. He is employed in the shipping company C.K. Hansen. |
| 1932 | Mærsk is employed in his father's company, in the control department |
| 1933 | Working in Hamburg, Germany for Karsten Rehder Shipping Company |
| 1935 | Head of control department in his father's company |
| 1936 | In Glasgow for Hogarth & Sons Shipping Company |
| 1937 | Lazard Brothers & Co. in London |
| 1939 | Louis Martin refrigerated shipping company in Paris |
| 1939 | Breaks out World War II |
1940 | Mærsk goes back to work in the family business and becomes partner of the group, marries his highschool sweetheart and goes into exile in the United States to manage the company from there |
| 1941 | Emma and Mærsk have their first daughter, Leise |
| 1942 | The couple have their second baby, Kirsten |
| 1945 | The WWII ends |
| 1946 | Arnold Møller found the A.P. Møller and Chastine Mc-Kinney Møller Foundation |
| 1947 | Mærsk and family return home |
| 1948 | Emma and Mærsk have their third daughter, Ane |
| 1953 | The A.P. Moller Foundation is formed. Both foundations makes it possible for the family to keep control of the company |
1954 | The largest ship ever in the merchant navy, the Regina Mærsk, is launched. It is the first ship painted in the characteristic blue light color |
1962 | Arnold Peter Møller applies for a concession for exploration and production of oil and gas in Denmark's subsoil. Finally he gets it for 50 years |
1964 | Arnold Peter Møller goes into a 50/50 partnership in Dansk Supermarked, major danish retail chain |
| 1965 | Arnold Peter Møller dies and Mærsk takes over leadership of the company |
| 1969 | Jess Søderberg is employed at 25 as economist |
| 1970 | Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller becomes the first non-american on the board of IBM |
| 1972 | The first oil is extracted in the North Sea |
| 1974 | The first container ship is delivered, the Svendborg Mærsk |
| 1979 | New corporative headquarters at Esplanaden |
| 1987 | Jess Søderberg becomes partner at 41 |
| 1990 | The company makes container ships freely available to the US in the Gulf War |
| 1991 | Jess Søderberg is appointed succesor to Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller |
| 1998 | The company efforts in China are succesful |
1999 | Berlingske Tidende publishes a series of critical articles about Arnold Peter Møller. Mærsk sells his shares of the newspaper. Mærsk is named the Danish Businessman of the Century |
| 2000 | Mærsk is awarded Knight of the Elephant |
| 2003 | The Steamship Company Svendborg and the Steamship Company of 1912 merge into Møller - Mærsk A/S. Mærsk steps down as chairman and hands over the post to Michael Pram Rasmussen |
| 2004 | The oil concession is extended to 2042. The Opera House is donated to the state |
| 2005 | Emma dies |
| 2007 | Møller - Mærsk A/S results for the previous year are negative. Jess Søderberg leave the post of CEO |
| 2008 | Møller - Mærsk A/S is back on track |
| 2012 | Mærsk dies at 98 |
Although the subject is quite interesting, I would say that the structure of the book can sometimes be annoying, because through the different interviews we read several times on some topics already touched on. Another point, is that the authors assume that the reader knows some passages from the recent history of Denmark, as the political debates about subsoil resources or the public outcry about the Copenhagen Opera House, which of course, was not my case. What I most regret is that in some subjects, neither the protagonist, nor the interviewers, delve into the causes, the consequences or the lessons that can be drawn, because, paradoxically, sometimes those who achieved the most think that they only did their job, fullfilled their obligations, and that there was nothing extraordinary in their actions, so they are really modest and reluctant to tell every detail, which they consider obvious. In spite of that, I give it a positive balance, and in summary, I can say that I liked it and that it contains valuable lessons. I really recommend it.
