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{{Short description|Danish businessman and engineer (1907–2003)}} | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}} | ||
{{Infobox person | {{Infobox person | ||
|name | | name = Henning Holck-Larsen | ||
|image=Henning Holck-Larsen 2008 stamp of India.jpg | | image = Henning Holck-Larsen 2008 stamp of India.jpg | ||
|caption=Holck-Larsen on a 2008 stamp of India | | caption = Holck-Larsen on a 2008 stamp of India | ||
|birth_date | | birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1907|07|04}} | ||
|birth_place | | birth_place = [[Frederiksberg]], Denmark | ||
|death_date | | death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2003|07|27|1907|07|04}} | ||
|death_place | | death_place = [[Mumbai]], India | ||
|known_for | Republic of India (1950–2003) | ||
| known_for = Founder of [[Larsen & Toubro]] | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''Henning Holck-Larsen''' (4 July 1907 – 27 July 2003) was a [[Denmark|Danish]] engineer who | '''Henning Holck-Larsen''' (4 July 1907 – 27 July 2003) was a [[Denmark|Danish]]-born Indian engineer who co-founded the engineering firm [[Larsen & Toubro]] (L&T) along with [[Søren Kristian Toubro]] (27 February 1906 – 4 March 1982).<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Story of Larsen & Toubro Construction Company |url=https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/story-larsen-toubro-construction-company-dr-shashank-shah |access-date=2025-01-12 |website=www.linkedin.com |language=en}}</ref> | ||
== Early life and career == | == Early life and career == | ||
Holck-Larsen was educated at the [[University of Copenhagen]] (and what is now the [[Technical University of Denmark]]). He came to [[India]] in 1937 as a chemical engineer working for [[FLSmidth|F. L. Smidth & Co.]] of [[Copenhagen]]. Partnering with his former schoolmate and fellow employee [[Søren Kristian Toubro]], he set up [[Larsen & Toubro]] in 1938. The idea of L&T was conceived during a holiday in [[Matheran]], a hill station near [[Mumbai]].<ref name="the_hindu_formula">{{cite news | |||
| url = http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2006/03/06/stories/2006030600380500.htm | | url = http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2006/03/06/stories/2006030600380500.htm | ||
| title = The Toubro formula | | title = The Toubro formula | ||
| | | work = [[The Hindu]] | ||
| date = 6 March 2006 | | date = 6 March 2006 | ||
| access-date = 13 May 2009 | | access-date = 13 May 2009 | ||
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080317102248/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2006/03/06/stories/2006030600380500.htm | | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080317102248/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2006/03/06/stories/2006030600380500.htm | ||
| archive-date = 17 March 2008 | | archive-date = 17 March 2008 | ||
| url-status = | | url-status = usurped | ||
}}</ref> Holck-Larsen was a risk-taker while Toubro was more conservative.<ref name="the_hindu_giant">{{cite news | }}</ref> Holck-Larsen was a risk-taker while Toubro was more conservative.<ref name="the_hindu_giant">{{cite news | ||
| url = http://www.blonnet.com/2007/07/04/stories/2007070450270900.htm | | url = http://www.blonnet.com/2007/07/04/stories/2007070450270900.htm | ||
| title = The engineer behind the giant | | title = The engineer behind the giant | ||
| author = N. Ramakrishnan | | author = N. Ramakrishnan | ||
| | | work = [[The Hindu]] | ||
| date = 4 July 2007 | | date = 4 July 2007 | ||
| access-date = 13 May 2009 | | access-date = 13 May 2009 | ||
}}</ref> Larsen and Toubro saw opportunities in India at time | }}</ref> Holck-Larsen and Toubro saw opportunities in India at a time when few Europeans had realised the country's potential for industrial growth. | ||
The first office of L&T, located in | The first office of L&T, located in Mumbai, was so small that only one of them could use it at a time.<ref name="larsentoubro_evolution">{{cite web | ||
|url=http://www.larsentoubro.com/lntcorporate/common/UI_Templates/html/common_AABL_BHIS.htm | |url=http://www.larsentoubro.com/lntcorporate/common/UI_Templates/html/common_AABL_BHIS.htm | ||
|title=Evolution of L&T | |title=Evolution of L&T | ||
| Line 43: | Line 45: | ||
}}</ref> Initially, L&T represented Danish dairy equipment manufacturers. However, the Danish imports were restricted during the [[World War II]], forcing L&T to start a small workshop that provided servicing and undertook small jobs. The imports stopped after the [[Operation Weserübung|German invasion of Denmark]], forcing L&T to start manufacturing dairy equipment indigenously, a move that was successful.<ref name="larsentoubro_evolution" /> | }}</ref> Initially, L&T represented Danish dairy equipment manufacturers. However, the Danish imports were restricted during the [[World War II]], forcing L&T to start a small workshop that provided servicing and undertook small jobs. The imports stopped after the [[Operation Weserübung|German invasion of Denmark]], forcing L&T to start manufacturing dairy equipment indigenously, a move that was successful.<ref name="larsentoubro_evolution" /> | ||
Seeing opportunity in ship repair during wartime, Larsen and Toubro formed a new company called Hilda Ltd. Around this time, L&T also started two repair and fabrication shops. The internment of German engineers who were supposed to build a soda ash plant for the [[Tata Group|Tatas]] provided L&T another new opportunity.<ref name="larsentoubro_evolution" /> | Seeing opportunity in ship repair during wartime, Holck-Larsen and Toubro formed a new company called Hilda Ltd. Around this time, L&T also started two repair and fabrication shops. The wartime internment of German engineers who were supposed to build a soda ash plant for the [[Tata Group|Tatas]] provided L&T another new opportunity.<ref name="larsentoubro_evolution" /> | ||
In 1944, Larsen and Toubro established Engineering Construction & Contracts (ECC). L&T started collaborating with international companies around this time. In 1945, it signed an agreement with the [[Caterpillar Tractor Company]] of USA for marketing earthmoving equipment. L&T also started representing British manufacturers of equipment used to manufacture a variety of products including biscuits, glass, hydrogenated oils and soaps.<ref name="larsentoubro_evolution" /> At the end of | In 1944, Holck-Larsen and Toubro established Engineering Construction & Contracts (ECC). L&T started collaborating with international companies around this time. In 1945, it signed an agreement with the [[Caterpillar Tractor Company]] of USA for marketing earthmoving equipment. L&T also started representing British manufacturers of equipment used to manufacture a variety of products including biscuits, glass, hydrogenated oils and soaps.<ref name="larsentoubro_evolution" /> At the end of World War II, the war-surplus Caterpillar equipment was available in bulk at low prices. However, L&T lacked the money to purchase them. Therefore, Holck-Larsen and Toubro decided to raise additional equity capital, and as a result, Larsen & Toubro Private Limited was established on 7 February 1946.<ref name="larsentoubro_evolution" /> After India gained independence in 1947, L&T set up offices in [[Calcutta]], [[Madras]] and [[New Delhi]]. | ||
He naturalised as a citizen of the Republic of India in 1950, giving up his Danish citizenship. | |||
After retirement, Holck-Larsen served as the chairman emeritus of the company. He used to call India his "adopted homeland" and divided his time between Denmark and India.<ref>{{cite news | Holck-Larsen and Toubro gradually transformed L&T into a large business house with diverse interests, and went on to become one of the most successful Indian companies.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}} | ||
He later wedded his wife Karen at the [[Church of St Andrew and St Columba]].<ref name="Harboe 2021 p. 102">{{cite book | last=Harboe | first=J. | title=Tigeren i sit leje. Henning Holck-Larsen og hans virksomhed i Indien | publisher=SAGA Egmont | year=2021 | isbn=978-87-26-55767-1 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l2k1EAAAQBAJ&pg=PT102 | language=da | access-date=2023-07-02 | page=102}}</ref> After retirement, Holck-Larsen served as the chairman emeritus of the company. He used to call India his "adopted homeland" and divided his time between Denmark and India.<ref>{{cite news | |||
| url = http://www.hinduonnet.com/2003/07/28/stories/2003072802791300.htm | | url = http://www.hinduonnet.com/2003/07/28/stories/2003072802791300.htm | ||
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20031106054611/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2003/07/28/stories/2003072802791300.htm | |||
| url-status = usurped | |||
| archive-date = 6 November 2003 | |||
| title = L&T co-founder Holck-Larsen dead | | title = L&T co-founder Holck-Larsen dead | ||
| | | work = [[The Hindu]] | ||
| date = 28 July 2003 | | date = 28 July 2003 | ||
| access-date = 13 May 2009 | | access-date = 13 May 2009 | ||
}}</ref> He died in 2003 at the Breach Candy hospital, [[Mumbai]]. | }}</ref> He died in 2003 at the Breach Candy hospital, [[Mumbai]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2003-07-28 |title=Larsen of Larsen & Toubro passes away at 96 |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/larsen-of-larsen-toubro-passes-away-at-96/articleshow/97822.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2025-01-12 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> {{Citation needed|date=May 2024}} | ||
== Awards and recognitions == | == Awards and recognitions == | ||
* [[Ramon Magsaysay Award]] for International Understanding (1976) | |||
* [[Knighthood]] from Queen [[Margrethe II]] of Denmark (1977) | * [[Ramon Magsaysay Award]] for International Understanding (1976)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-09-09 |title=Indian Recipients of Ramon Magsaysay Award |url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/indian-recipients-of-ramon-magsaysay-award-1461817778-1 |access-date=2025-01-12 |website=Jagranjosh.com |language=en}}</ref> | ||
* Sir Jehangir Ghandy Medal for Industrial Peace (1980) | * [[Knighthood]] from Queen [[Margrethe II]] of Denmark (1977)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Henning Holck-Larsen |url=https://www.indiatoday.dk/henning-holck-larsen/ |access-date=2025-01-12 |website=www.indiatoday.dk |language=en}}</ref> | ||
* Chemtech Foundation's Chemical Industry Stalwart Award (2000) | * Sir Jehangir Ghandy Medal for Industrial Peace (1980){{citation needed|date=February 2025}} | ||
* Bombay Management Association's Lifetime Achievement Award (2001) | * Chemtech Foundation's Chemical Industry Stalwart Award (2000){{citation needed|date=February 2025}} | ||
* Citation from the Indo-European Union Business Summit for promoting business beyond boundaries (2002) | * Bombay Management Association's Lifetime Achievement Award (2001){{citation needed|date=February 2025}} | ||
* [[Padma Bhushan]] (2002) for contribution to Indian industry.<ref name="Padma Awards">{{cite web |url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf |title=Padma Awards |publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India |date=2015 |access-date=21 July 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https:// | * Citation from the Indo-European Union Business Summit for promoting business beyond boundaries (2002){{citation needed|date=February 2025}} | ||
* India Post issued a commemorative postage stamp of | * [[Padma Bhushan]] (2002) for contribution to Indian industry.<ref name="Padma Awards">{{cite web |url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf |title=Padma Awards |publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India |date=2015 |access-date=21 July 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015193758/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf |archive-date=15 October 2015 }}</ref> | ||
* India Post issued a commemorative postage stamp of ₹5.00 on 12 June 2008<ref>{{Cite web |title=India 2008 MNH Henning Holck Larsen (Block B/L 4) |url=https://myindiamint.com/products/india-2008-mnh-henning-holck-larsen-block-b-l-4 |access-date=2025-01-12 |website=indiamintstamps}}</ref> | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
| Line 79: | Line 87: | ||
[[Category:Larsen & Toubro]] | [[Category:Larsen & Toubro]] | ||
[[Category:20th-century Danish businesspeople]] | [[Category:20th-century Danish businesspeople]] | ||
[[Category:Danish | [[Category:Danish expatriate businesspeople in India]] | ||
[[Category:People from Frederiksberg]] | [[Category:People from Frederiksberg]] | ||
[[Category:Businesspeople from Copenhagen]] | [[Category:Businesspeople from Copenhagen]] | ||
Latest revision as of 04:20, 8 February 2026
Henning Holck-Larsen | |
|---|---|
 Holck-Larsen on a 2008 stamp of India | |
| Born | 4 July 1907 Frederiksberg, Denmark |
| Died | 27 July 2003 (aged 96) Mumbai, India
Republic of India (1950–2003) |
| Known for | Founder of Larsen & Toubro |
Henning Holck-Larsen (4 July 1907 – 27 July 2003) was a Danish-born Indian engineer who co-founded the engineering firm Larsen & Toubro (L&T) along with Søren Kristian Toubro (27 February 1906 – 4 March 1982).[1]
Early life and career[edit | edit source]
Holck-Larsen was educated at the University of Copenhagen (and what is now the Technical University of Denmark). He came to India in 1937 as a chemical engineer working for F. L. Smidth & Co. of Copenhagen. Partnering with his former schoolmate and fellow employee Søren Kristian Toubro, he set up Larsen & Toubro in 1938. The idea of L&T was conceived during a holiday in Matheran, a hill station near Mumbai.[2] Holck-Larsen was a risk-taker while Toubro was more conservative.[3] Holck-Larsen and Toubro saw opportunities in India at a time when few Europeans had realised the country's potential for industrial growth.
The first office of L&T, located in Mumbai, was so small that only one of them could use it at a time.[4] Initially, L&T represented Danish dairy equipment manufacturers. However, the Danish imports were restricted during the World War II, forcing L&T to start a small workshop that provided servicing and undertook small jobs. The imports stopped after the German invasion of Denmark, forcing L&T to start manufacturing dairy equipment indigenously, a move that was successful.[4]
Seeing opportunity in ship repair during wartime, Holck-Larsen and Toubro formed a new company called Hilda Ltd. Around this time, L&T also started two repair and fabrication shops. The wartime internment of German engineers who were supposed to build a soda ash plant for the Tatas provided L&T another new opportunity.[4]
In 1944, Holck-Larsen and Toubro established Engineering Construction & Contracts (ECC). L&T started collaborating with international companies around this time. In 1945, it signed an agreement with the Caterpillar Tractor Company of USA for marketing earthmoving equipment. L&T also started representing British manufacturers of equipment used to manufacture a variety of products including biscuits, glass, hydrogenated oils and soaps.[4] At the end of World War II, the war-surplus Caterpillar equipment was available in bulk at low prices. However, L&T lacked the money to purchase them. Therefore, Holck-Larsen and Toubro decided to raise additional equity capital, and as a result, Larsen & Toubro Private Limited was established on 7 February 1946.[4] After India gained independence in 1947, L&T set up offices in Calcutta, Madras and New Delhi.
He naturalised as a citizen of the Republic of India in 1950, giving up his Danish citizenship.
Holck-Larsen and Toubro gradually transformed L&T into a large business house with diverse interests, and went on to become one of the most successful Indian companies.[citation needed]
He later wedded his wife Karen at the Church of St Andrew and St Columba.[5] After retirement, Holck-Larsen served as the chairman emeritus of the company. He used to call India his "adopted homeland" and divided his time between Denmark and India.[6] He died in 2003 at the Breach Candy hospital, Mumbai.[7] [citation needed]
Awards and recognitions[edit | edit source]
- Ramon Magsaysay Award for International Understanding (1976)[8]
- Knighthood from Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (1977)[9]
- Sir Jehangir Ghandy Medal for Industrial Peace (1980)[citation needed]
- Chemtech Foundation's Chemical Industry Stalwart Award (2000)[citation needed]
- Bombay Management Association's Lifetime Achievement Award (2001)[citation needed]
- Citation from the Indo-European Union Business Summit for promoting business beyond boundaries (2002)[citation needed]
- Padma Bhushan (2002) for contribution to Indian industry.[10]
- India Post issued a commemorative postage stamp of ₹5.00 on 12 June 2008[11]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "The Story of Larsen & Toubro Construction Company". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
- ↑ "The Toubro formula". The Hindu. 6 March 2006. Archived from the original on 17 March 2008. Retrieved 13 May 2009.
- ↑ N. Ramakrishnan (4 July 2007). "The engineer behind the giant". The Hindu. Retrieved 13 May 2009.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "Evolution of L&T". L&T. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 13 May 2009.
- ↑ Harboe, J. (2021). Tigeren i sit leje. Henning Holck-Larsen og hans virksomhed i Indien (in dansk). SAGA Egmont. p. 102. ISBN 978-87-26-55767-1. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ↑ "L&T co-founder Holck-Larsen dead". The Hindu. 28 July 2003. Archived from the original on 6 November 2003. Retrieved 13 May 2009.
- ↑ "Larsen of Larsen & Toubro passes away at 96". The Economic Times. 28 July 2003. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
- ↑ "Indian Recipients of Ramon Magsaysay Award". Jagranjosh.com. 9 September 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
- ↑ "Henning Holck-Larsen". www.indiatoday.dk. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
- ↑ "Padma Awards" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
- ↑ "India 2008 MNH Henning Holck Larsen (Block B/L 4)". indiamintstamps. Retrieved 12 January 2025.