We’re ready. The coffee’s on the desk, and the screen shows that the Skype call has gone through to our colleague Thomas at GHV in Norway. Thomas Gamman Andersen has been at GHV since 2008, starting in project management and IT. He is now the company’s Sales and Marketing Manager. Today he’s made time for an informal conversation with us about DEKO and GHV’s partnership over the years.

“Why did you choose DEKO as your supplier?”

“The co-operation between DEKO and GHV was established in 1985 by the founders of the company, Poul Krogh and Stein Børre Kolstad. Founded in 1972, GHV is a Norwegian-owned company, providing high-quality solutions for system interiors. As a supplier of easy-to-fit partition systems, DEKO was the obvious choice,” says Thomas.

Throughout Stein’s time in GHV, DEKO was the only supplier that could provide partition systems with such few components. “Then as now, the few components were a major advantage, making installation easy and efficient. DEKO is also a high-quality brand with a great range of excellent, well-evidenced solutions with fire and sound properties. There aren’t many suppliers whose products are as well-documented as DEKO’s.”

GHV is a laudable partner and a skilled distributor of DEKO’s products, so the co-operation is mutually beneficial. But we agree with Thomas that the partnership might not have turned 35 without the human values and close relationship we have developed.

“We’re a Bit Like One Big Family”

As DEKO’s founder, Poul Krogh, once put it, when asked what it takes to run a company: “It’s about human contact. Personal relationships kindle respect and trust for one another and lead to amazing collaboration.” Close relationships constitute one of the most important cornerstones of a healthy business. Respect and trust lead to mutual solidarity. According to Thomas, these qualities account for the fact that the co-operation between DEKO and GHV has lasted for so many years.

“DEKO is a faithful, loyal supplier on whom we can always count. Having a supplier who offers help whenever you need it isn’t something you can take for granted,” he says. “DEKO’s more than just our supplier. We’re a bit like one big family.

Formality creates a framework, but it also creates barriers. So, even though you are business partners, things do not always have to be so formal. At DEKO, we are grateful to have forged such a close bond with our colleagues at GHV. The first 35 years have been great. Here’s to the next 35 years.