Johan Bülow, known as Denmark’s “Licorice King,” has now sold the last of his famous company. This week marks the end of his journey with the brand that turned a small idea in Svaneke into an international success story.
The Licorice King Steps Away
Back in 2007, a small shop in the Bornholm town of Svaneke began selling handmade licorice cooked in-store to fill the streets with its scent. Within hours, it sold out. That moment started what would become one of Denmark’s most recognizable brands: Lakrids by Bülow.
Today, Johan Bülow has officially sold his remaining shares to Chinese investment firm IDG Capital, the current owners. The sale marks the final exit of the founder, who once poured more than 100 hours a week into building his company.
The journey began with tremendous growth. In 2016, Bülow sold 75 percent of the business to a Swedish investment fund, which later passed it along to IDG Capital. Last year the brand generated a turnover of roughly 376 million Danish kroner. Now, the founder has let go completely.
Bülow explained that the decision came down to family. He wrote that spending more time with loved ones outweighed the demands of business life. It is a familiar reason among founders who eventually step back, seeking balance after years of building global enterprises.
That sentiment echoes what many leaders say when leaving companies they created. After intense dedication, it often comes down to reconnecting with home life and the people behind the scenes.
A Week in Danish Business
While Bülow’s sale captured attention, other stories also stood out in Denmark’s business world this week. One of them featured a CEO who took a creative approach to tackling trade tariffs imposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Gitte Kirkegaard, head of Danish company Logitrans, used a humble whiteboard to calculate tariff effects instead of relying only on spreadsheets. Her sketches revealed a price increase of nearly 30 percent for American customers buying pallet lifters. The moment was captured in DR’s business series *Topdirektørerne*, which also includes leaders from Grundfos and MyDefence. It showed the adaptability Danish companies need to survive in volatile global markets.
Interestingly, Kirkegaard’s drawn lines say more than numbers could. They highlight how quick thinking remains vital for Danish exporters dealing with shifting trade policies between Europe, the U.S., and China. In a business culture known for precision and planning, a simple marker and board can sometimes paint the clearest strategy.
B&O Turns a Century Old
Meanwhile, another Danish icon celebrates an impressive milestone. Bang & Olufsen turns 100 this week. Founded in Struer by Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen, the company started as a small workshop but grew into a global luxury brand recognized for its distinctive design and craftsmanship.
From elegant speakers to sleek televisions, B&O became a symbol of high-end Scandinavian aesthetics. Over the decades, though, the company has also faced challenges, striving to balance its reputation for design excellence with the demand for top-tier sound quality.
In a recent discussion on the Danish business podcast *Sorte tal*, experts reflected on how B&O must continue evolving while protecting its heritage. The conclusion was simple: preserve quality, especially in sound, to stay relevant for another century.
Looking Ahead
Between a sold licorice empire and a century-old speaker brand, Denmark’s business landscape this week shows both endings and fresh beginnings. Leaders are redefining success, often trading long hours for personal fulfillment.
At the same time, companies remain innovative, adjusting to international trade shifts and maintaining their hallmark of design and craftsmanship. From Bornholm to Struer, the common thread is clear: Danish entrepreneurship continues to evolve while keeping a distinctive identity shaped by passion, creativity, and balance.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Lakrids by Bülow acquired for global expansion
DR: Millioner Milliarder: Lakridskongen er abdiceret, og forklaringen bag har du hørt før
