‘The Banker’ magazine has published its annual ‘Top 500 Banking Brands’ which ranks the world’s leading brands in the financial sector. Danske Bank came in at second place in the Nordic ‘race’ after Nordea – and is ranked as the world’s 55th best banking brand. The bank has moved 16 places since 2009. The brand value is estimated at 17 per cent of the market value, corresponding to DKK 15.6 billion.

Denmark’s largest railway operator DSB has bought 50% of German railway company, Vias GmbH. The deal marks a significant step towards DSB realising its strategy to enter into the European railway market.

On the day that Danish shipping giant Maersk reported its poorest results, Denmark’s toy giant LEGO celebrated its best-ever performance by awarding most of its 8,600 employees around the world an additional month’s salary. Despite the stagnation of the global toy market, the superbrand’s success is due to a strong increase in the English-speaking markets in Europe and most of Asia.
More at business.dk (Danish).

Novo Nordisk has won a contract as the primary supplier of insulin to American war veterans. The contract, signed with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, runs one year from 1 March. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has the option to renew the contract annually for up to four additional years. (Source: RB-Børsen)

The Danish jewelry manufacturer Lise Aagaard Copenhagen A/S has developed a small jewelry business into a worldwide success. The company’s unique Trollbeads are sold in 43 countries, and are so popular that even its competitor PANDORA (also Danish) is using them. In fact, PANDORA Jewelry is trying to terminate a contract between the two companies which will guarantee Lise Aagaard earnings in the region of DKK 385 million by the year 2030. Now is this cool-hearted business or is it the infamous Danish Jantelov in action?

In a tiny, unassuming town in the middle of New Zealand’s North Island, four small countries are forever united. Most people in New Zealand have never heard of Norsewood. It’s off the beaten track and it’s certainly not heavily marketed. But one thing for certain, the town is proud of its Scandinavian origins. Even though most of its ancestry can be traced back to Norway, it hasn’t forgotten its allegiances to the entire Scandinavian region – as can be seen in the picture above.

And not far from Norsewood is another, slightly larger town that owes its existence entirely to Denmark. In this town of Dannevirke, “Copenhagen” occupies prime real estate, as you can see in this picture of Copenhagen Square.

So awareness of Scandinavia in this quiet, modest part of the world is healthy.

Starbucks is set for further expansion in Europe - and Arla is a key partner. The Esbjerg-based company will manufacture, market and distribute Starbucks’ ready-to-drink coffee beverages for the European market. Arla subsidiary Cocio Chokolademælk has already increased plant capacity and is ready to begin production. I know quite a few Americans who will be happy to have their Starbucks back.

In just two years, Lego will open another Legoland theme park in the United States. The company’s second park in the States will be in central Florida - not far from the Orlando area, which is already home to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and other top entertainment destinations. On the grounds of Florida’s oldest amusement park, Cypress Gardens (now defunct), this fifth Legoland park will be the largest yet. And it should give the brand a big boost within the US.

Børsen reported on 15 January that Uninor, an Indian telecommunications company, is being built using Scandinavian values and management principles. The major shareholder of Uninor is Norwegian telecommunications giant Telenor.

The cement manufacturer Aalborg Portland is increasing its international growth by investing more than EUR 130 million, according to a report today in Børsen.