40 years at JYSK: ”I met some of my best friends here”

On 29 July 2025, Torben Thisgaard can celebrate his 40th anniversary at JYSK. Today, he works as Team Leader Operation at the Distribution Centre in Uldum (DCU), Denmark. However, his journey with JYSK began on Zealand at the age of just 18.

“I have been a part of JYSK almost since the beginning, so I was on my knees next to Lars Larsen putting price tags on products,” says Torben Thisgaard, who remembers the JYSK founder as an ambitious tradesman.

Originally from Herning, Torben began his career in Valby, near Copenhagen, and quickly became a part of a strong network of colleagues from Jutland in the Danish capital. At the age of 20, he became Store Manager in Frederiksværk and helped open several new stores on Zealand and in Sweden.

“We built stores in a fast pace while I was Store Manager. We often slept in the display beds in the stores to be ready for the next day,” he says with a smile.

As JYSK expanded, the need for better logistics grew, and Torben moved from the stores to the warehouse in the South Harbour in Copenhagen, entering the world of logistics for the first time.

A new beginning in Jutland

In 1994, Torben and his wife, Laila Bove, whom he met in JYSK, moved back to Jutland. There, he worked at the JYSK warehouse in Vejle, retrieving furniture from the shelves.

His skills were quickly recognised, and he progressed into management roles, including being responsible for franchise logistics, and later as Team Leader and Department Manager.

In 2008, he helped establish the new Distribution Centre in Uldum, where he currently works as Team Leader Operation.

Great memories and strong friendships

One of the most memorable moments in Torben's career was being invited to Lars Larsen's home in Silkeborg for his 15th anniversary. When Torben and his wife later received the same invitation for her 15th anniversary, Torben was given a very special task:

“Larsen said to me: ‘You know the place, so you can just show the others around.’ So I ended up giving a tour of the whole house - it was a lot of fun,” Torben says.

However, the most meaningful aspect of his career has been the many personal relationships he has built over the years.

"I have met some of my best friends at JYSK. The culture is about being there for each other through thick and thin, and that creates strong bonds," he says.

Privately, Torben enjoys life in Daugård, just outside Vejle, where he and Laila have built their own home. In his spare time, he maintains his many friendships through padel tournaments, barbecues, and long walks.