Danish sewer-cleaning lorries are proving a hit in the US

Jutland firm J Hvidtved Larsen expects to double turnover by conquering American market

It might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think ‘Danish design’, but a Jutland company that manufactures sewer-cleaning vacuum lorries is making great strides in the US. Water shortages in the country and Danish machines capable of outperforming American competitors are creating the perfect conditions for one Danish exporter.

Expect to double turnover
Brian Stage, the head of J Hvidtved Larsen, which is based in Silkeborg, expects his company to double its 400-million-kroner turnover by increasing US sales, Børsen reports.

Two years ago the company received 6.3 million kroner in support from the market development fund Markedsmodningsfonden, which aims to support small and medium-sized Danish companies grow and increase their exports.

The company used the funds to build demonstration machines for American companies to trial. According to Stage, this was instrumental in making a breakthrough in the US.

“The support has contributed to kickstarting our entry into the American market, which now creates tax revenue, workplaces and welfare in Denmark,” he said.

Each of the company’s vacuum lorries costs 600,000 dollars in the US (around 4 million kroner). So far seven vehicles have been sold, but with some of the biggest US sewage companies on the customer list, Stage predicts that the American market will be as big as the company’s other 30 markets combined.

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