Kraks Vejviser 1932 Handelsregister

7

Danish Industries. As already stated the industrial development in Den­ mark commenced later than that of agriculture, but on the other hånd it has taken place more rapidly. As late as in 1880 agriculture claimed 41.4 % of ihe population and industry proper only 26 %, whereas now these two bran­ ches of trade each employ approximately the same figure viz: about 50 %. The figures given in the table below from the first in­ dustrial census and that last taken in Denmark show the development which has taken place in the last 28 years from 1897—1925. Danish industries and handicrafts: 77,256 85,118 82,494 84,112 Total number employed 270,622 315,219 350,194 577,952 Number of workmen.. 176,608 206,592 227,458 260,715 Works driven by me- chanical power __ 5,856 6,730 15,579 24,859 Horse-power of machinery ............ 48,057 113,270 229,843 418,833 •) The increase due to the incorporation of the Slesvig territory in 1920 has not been included in these and the following flgures. The number of workmen employed in industrial under- takings during this period has incrcased by 47 % where­ as the number of concerns has increased by only 8 %, a clear indication that a progressive concentration is taking place. The concentration manifests itself especially by the faet that the number of firms employing more than 100 hånds rose from 165 in 1897 to 312 in 1925, and during the same period the number of hånds employed increased from 32,000 to 82,000, or by 156 %. Of these large concentrated activities there are several where the whole or at all events the greater part of the production of the country is do- minated by one single company, this being the case, for instance, with regard to spirits, paper, matches, glass, sugar etc. Notwithstanding this the number of quite small con­ cerns contdnues to be very large; in 1925 there were 41,642, or about half the total number, carried on exelusively by the “proprietor alone, and in 35,722 concerns there were only from one to five workmen employed in each business. The question here concerns principally handicraft firms especially in the building and connected trades. There are, hawever, amongst these small concerns many of a dis- tinctly industrial character. Industrial development in Denmark commenced so Jate that the use of gas and electricity offered a greater advantage than steam in many branches, and, as a oonsequence of this, Danish industry has in several even important fields acquired in some measure the character of small-scale operations. The small concerns by utilizing electricity and availing them­ selves of modern speciality machines often permit of an equally great economic exploitation as large-scale in­ dustry, and moreover there is the additional advantage which the more direct supervision of the principal stands for with regard to the high standard of quality of the pro- duct. Butter for instance, Denmark’s principal export article »s delivered by some 1400 co-operative dairies, but also in many other branches manufacturing single parts in series, or where personal taste imparts value to the ob- ject, the small concern is fully competitive also on the World market. The inereasing industrial character both in small and 1897 1906 1914 1925*) Number of establish- ments ......................

large activities is seen m the greater application of me- chanical power. The number of concerns utilizing such power (wind and water power exeluded) was in 1925 : i; more than six times as large as in 1897, the aggregate machinery power at the same time having increased eight- i !•' fold. In view of the close connexion of the industrial develop- H ment with that of agriculture it follows that a very large i! part of the industrial undertakings are occupied in the finishing of agricultural products. In 1925 over one sixth of the total number of industrial employees were engaged a? in the manufacture of foodstuffs/and about one third of the whole machinery power (i.e.H.P.) was used in this branch. Under this heading fails the making of butter, cheese, condensed milk and cream, casein, bacon and •$; other slaughter-house products, conserves, flour and meal, i’ biseuits, sugar, ooffee substitutes, beer, spirits etc. ; The high stage of development of the foodstuff indus- tries has given rise to a number of other industries for j.l- the manufacture of auxiliary appliances etc. in connexion : i>t; with the transportation and sale of these goods, for in- !»i staince staves for casks, tins, buekets, bags, packing cases, j bottles, corks, crown corks, binder twine etc., and more­ over speciality machinery, implements and auxiliary ► materials in the service of agriculture itself, for instance ploughs, harrows, sowing machines, addle spreaders, beet- lifters, milking machines, electrical articles and plant for J I agricultural purposes, fertilizers and fodder cakes. Like- j;’ | wise for use in the agricultural industry: Centrifugals, !i{ I milis and milistones, refrigerating machinery and plant, bakery ovens and accessories, beer-bottling machines, ap- paratuses for spdrit distilleries, breweries, slaughteries and tanneries, butter-colour, cheese rennet etc. The great con- ;H sumption in all these fields on the home market has J developed a Wholesale production in these industries j> which now forms the basis of a large export trade. iH There has also developed on basis of the other compa- i i ratively few national raw materials a considerable ce- i il ment and cement goods industry, iimé and tale works, chi- :|| naware and faience factories, siliceous earth, flint peb- }{ bles etc. A considerable export trade also takes place in ;|i these branches. ’qi In connexion with the other trades of the country such •j as shipping, fishery, means of transportation by land, jj i building and connected industries. and oonsequent upon the ,i •• i growfch of the towns which invariably accompandes indu- . |i | strial development, other large groups of industries have ; arisen, amongst which should be mentioned shipbuilding, the manufacture of motors and dynamos of all kinds, : nautical and other instruments, boats and fishing nets, J cranes and lifts, railway material, autocars, electric cables {); and electrical articles of various kinds, machinery for road i| J construction, insulation materials, stoves and other cast i goods for building purposes. j ' I Vessels engined with Danish Diesel motors trade on all j ; seas, and in all parts of the world Danish engineering jj; firms oonstruct harbours, bridges, railways and factories h for the manufacture of cement, refrigerating plant etc. ; Furthermore may be mentioned, as being more closely ii connected with home consumption, spinning and weaving | factories, underwear* factories, foot-wear factories, hat I: manufactories, and also the treatment of feathers for ‘j exportation. i Denmark’s artistic industries deserve special mention. ; Danish chinaware and stone-ware, Danish silversmith work and Danish artistic bookbinding have all acquired i? a world reputation.

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