Bilans d’évènement
Leroy Merlin Learning Expeditions in January
Every 10 years, the well-known French brand Leroy Merlin works on its strategy by involving the top management. This year, two groups of managers have decided to visit Denmark with two different foci for their learning expeditions:
- the first group came with a focus on Sustainability Transformation and Employee Inclusion.
- the second one with a focus on Circular Economy and Local Partnerships.
The Chamber has organised the program for the 2 groups. You can find a short description below.
Week 3 - Learning Expedition with Leroy Merlin: Sustainability Transformation and Employee Inclusion in Denmark
Day 1:
The group arrived and was welcomed at a restaurant in Nyhavn for a dinner and an introduction to Denmark. The evening included a presentation on Denmark’s macroeconomic landscape, the main sector in Denmark and an introduction to Danish culture and a testimonial of a French director established in Denmark.
Day 2:
The first company visit was to Schneider Electric, where the group attended an insightful talk on sustainability strategy, energy optimization, digitalization, and employee inclusion. Later, they visited DFDS headquarters in Nordhavn for a presentation on ESG efforts and strategy. The group then met with representatives from Dansk Metal, which was particularly relevant as it coincided with ongoing union negotiations, providing valuable insights into labor relations in Denmark. The day ended with a guided visit to Copenhill, where participants had the opportunity to ski on the iconic all-year slope.
Day 3:
The group began the day at Velux headquarters in Hørsholm, where they explored various sustainability projects and strategies. Discussions also covered the collaboration between Leroy Merlin and Velux, allowing for an exchange of experiences. Afterward, they visited L’Oréal’s headquarters in Copenhagen to learn about ESG challenges, strategic decisions, and their implementation in the Nordic region. The day concluded with a guided visit to the Free Town of Christiania in central Copenhagen.
Day 4:
The final day focused on visits to DIY stores in Copenhagen. The first stop was Brødrene Dahl, where the group learned about sustainability initiatives at Brødrene Dahl and Saint-Gobain Nordics and Baltics. They then visited Bauhaus, Silvan, and Jem&Fix to compare store layouts and approaches. The last meeting was hosted by EcoTree, where discussions centered on sustainable forestry strategies and the importance of sustainable business partnerships.
Week 4 – Learning Expedition with Leroy Merlin: Circular Economy and Local Partnerships in Denmark
Day 1:
The first day began with an introduction to Denmark's macroeconomic context, an overview of the work of the CCE and Groupe SEB in Denmark, and insights into Danish culture, including differences in education systems, perceptions of time and space, and cultural nuances. The group then visited EcoTree to discuss strategies for sustainable forestry and the value of sustainable business partnerships.
Day 2:
The group visited Dansk Retursystem in Taastrup with the Chamber’s ESG Committee and the French Ambassador to Denmark. The visit included a detailed presentation on the process, strategy, and history of the organization, followed by a tour of the premises. Later, the group was hosted at Green Transition HQ in Copenhagen for a discussion on the importance of immediate action by large companies to address climate change. The day concluded with a guided visit to Copenhill, including skiing on its unique all-year slope.
Day 3:
The group explored Kalundborg Symbiosis Park, a prominent example of circular solutions in industry. They then visited Næste, a company utilizing circular economy principles by creating sheds from discarded wood.
Day 4:
The day started with a visit to Too Good To Go, a leader in circular economy practices with significant growth in France and other countries. The group then visited Velux to learn about various sustainability projects and strategies and to discuss the collaboration between Leroy Merlin and Velux. The day ended with visits to Brødrene Dahl, Bauhaus, and Stark to understand sustainability efforts and compare store formats in Denmark.
Day 5:
The final day was reserved for debriefing and exploration, allowing participants to reflect on their learning experiences.
We would like to thank all companies involved in welcoming the 2 groups and also all the participants of Leroy Merlin. It was a real pleasure to welcoming you in Copenhagen, help you discover Denmark, and exchange about your themes.
Find photos of the first group by clicking here:
Find photos of the second group by clicking here:
