Group Chief Executive Officer, Wilh Wilhelmsen Holding
Search every verified Thomas Wilhelmsen interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Wilhelmsen stated that his company launched digital tools to provide real-time information on port restrictions, crew restrictions, and layup locations. He said the company worked with industry partners to create safe crew corridors for travel between countries and focused on crew safety and mental health through services such as drone delivery of food and virtual religious services. Wilhelmsen expressed hope that the collaborative mentality seen during the pandemic would continue to address challenges like the environment. In 2017, Wilhelmsen discussed his organization's adoption of "Silicon Valley thinking," citing projects such as drone-based ship inspections and smart ropes with sensors. He described a need for cultural transformation to adapt to new technology and noted that the company invested in a 3D printing company in California. Wilhelmsen characterized the shipping industry as volatile and stated that companies that have survived have changed, adding that "change is simple as change or change will find you."
“but it requires a different culture than what we have today and I believe one of the biggest challenges we stand across both as a company but also as an industry is this what I call a cultural transformation we need to be to have a culture that is able to adapt before it is too late”
“this industry is inherently volatile meaning that we have no choice we've had no choice so the companies that have survived in this industry for decades they have changed so change is simple as change or change will find you there is no alternative”
Thomas Wilhelmsen, CEO Wilh. Wilhelmsen Group, sharing how his organisation is adopting "Silicon Valley" thinking.
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