After more than half a century at the helm, Bernd Griese, the iconic leader of Denmark's Harboe Brewery, has stepped down from his role as Chairman of the Board. Griese, aged 83, who transformed Harboe from a small regional brewery into an international beverage conglomerate, leaves behind a legacy marked by both remarkable growth and significant controversy.
Griese’s journey with Harboe began in 1968 when the certified electrician moved to Denmark from Germany and met Kirsten Harboe, the daughter of the brewery’s then-master brewer. The couple married in 1971, and two years later, Bernd Griese joined the family business as a technician. Over the subsequent years, he steadily advanced within Harboe, eventually becoming the company's managing director in 1984.
Under his leadership, Harboe expanded its operations globally, selling its water and beer in more than 90 countries worldwide. The production volume reached approximately 4.7 million hectoliters in the fiscal year 2023/24, of which the German subsidiary Darguner Brauerei contributed around 3 million hectoliters, split evenly between non-alcoholic beverages and beer.
However, Griese’s tenure was not without its challenges. His management style, particularly his approach to blending family and business, often sparked heated debates among shareholders. In 2019, he appointed his daughter Karina Harboe Laursen as CEO, only to replace her six months later with his son-in-law, Søren Malling, while Griese himself became Chairman.
Griese's final years at Harboe were also marred by allegations of conflicts of interest and financial misconduct. Part of the criticism directed at Bernd Griese last year was based on the fact that, under his management, Harboe sold company properties to family members. Reports revealed that several hundred million Danish kroner were funneled from Harboe into Griese's private companies, with some transactions allegedly violating legal standards. These controversies cast a shadow over his otherwise successful career, leading to criticism from both legal experts and shareholders.
Despite these issues, Griese announced at his farewell event that Harboe is in a strong financial position, with its stock price at an 18-year high and profits exceeding DKK 54 million. As Griese steps down, Harboe faces the challenge of navigating its future without the man who led it for so many years, while also addressing the legacy of controversy he leaves behind.
