Inaer, member of global Avincis Group, utilizes Lite Flite’s rescue equipment. Inaer Photo
The Danish niche company Lite Flite, which develops and manufactures helicopter equipment for rescue units across the globe, has initiated a generational change to ensure a stable future for its customers — on their common mission: to save lives. Thomas Knudstrup is the new co-owner.
Lite Flite, located at Kolding Airport in Vamdrup, Denmark, develops, manufactures, repairs and maintains helicopter rescue equipment, used by experienced rescue units worldwide. The company was established in 1968 by John Holstein, whose retirement is imminent. “I believe that what we do is so important that we have an obligation to ensure our customers – and all the people they save every day – a stable future. We help them save lives every day, so our cooperation, equipment, product development and original passion must live on,” John Holstein said.
Doubling of turnover
As a result, Holstein has invited Thomas Knudstrup to become the company’s new co-owner. Holstein and Thomas Knudstrup have known each other since the 1980s, and since 2011 Knudstrup has been associated with Lite Flite as senior product manager. “For many years I have been looking for someone with the right professional and personal profile, a person who can fill many roles in this small business, and a person who understands our philosophy to bits. Thomas is this person,” Holstein explained.
Last summer, Thomas took over 15 percent of the company — and this year another 30 percent, for a total stake of 45 percent. “In this way, the generational change has formally been initiated, and I am pleased that Thomas wanted to engage in this business,” John Holstein said. Knudstrup has already added value to the company, as the company’s 2013 turnover has doubled compared to the previous year.
“I am very grateful for the trust that I have been shown – and happy to be able to contribute to the achievement of our most important mission – to save lives. I am proud to have the chance to do something that truly matters and makes great sense to me,” Thomas Knudstrup said. For Knudstrup, it is important that the company now seeks development and challenge to fully engage the skills and philosophy that enable the “project.”
Thomas Knudstrup (left) and John Holstein shake hands in front of Lite Flite’s production facility in Vamdrup, Denmark. Lite Flite Photo
Philosophy and product development – interdependent units
According to the two co-owners, the company’s philosophy and justification is closely linked to the process that occurs when product users and technicians communicate. “We cannot sit at the office and do product design and development. Our most important task is to listen to our customers and cooperate with them to solve the challenges they face in everyday life in relation to the equipment they need to do their operations as efficiently and smoothly as possible,” Thomas explained. “It is essential that this communication and exchange of experience takes place – after all the users are the experts, and our job is to match their challenges in engineering, design, testing and production. And that is the essence of my huge engagement to this company and its mission,” he concluded.
Passionate engineer and trouble-shooter
Thomas Knudstrup is 49 years old, holds a B.Sc in engineering and has extensive experience in R&D, sales, purchasing, support, technical documentation and communication. For many years, he was engaged in the IT industry, and his specialties are technical analysis and troubleshooting. In addition, Knudstrup is a certified parachute rigger. Thomas is very passionate about continuing John Holstein’s original mission to save lives.
