Global DIY-Lifetime Award presented to Carl Otto Løvenskiold

The gala dinner following the first day of the Global DIY-Summit provided – as in previous years – the setting for the presentation of the Global DIY-Lifetime Award. This year, the award went to Carl Otto Løvenskiold, owner and CEO of Løvenskiold-Vækerø. The Norwegian family-run business operates the Maxbo DIY chain. Carl Otto Løvenskiold is the 13th generation to run the company. The award is presented by the two international associations, Edra/Ghin and Hima.

In his laudatory speech, the outgoing Edra General Secretary, John Herbert, pointed out that Maxbo was one of the association’s first member companies – and that the firm, founded in 1649, takes a long-term view. He also highlighted the award winner’s exceptional character: his friendliness and the respect with which he treats people.

In his speech, Løvenskiold admitted that this was a very special moment in his life. He described the decades he has spent working in the home improvement sector – he joined the company in 1982 – as a “great opportunity”. He expressly emphasised the role of the international association for the “DIY family, united in Edra/Ghin” and thanked its founder, John Herbert: “Edra/Ghin is the result of your dedication.”