jem & fix brings Danish workforce scheduling to Norway
The hardware chain jem & fix A/S has recently opened its first four stores in Norway and implemented Timegrip (Formerly TimePlan) from the start to ensure flexible resource management, accurate payroll information, time tracking, and satisfied employees.
"In Denmark, we have used Timegrip for the past 15 years because the program meets our needs for flexible staff management. We have contributed to the development of new Timegrip features, and it is important to us that Timegrip can be customised to meet our specific needs in Norway," says Jesper Paarup Blicher, HR & Operations Controller at jem & fix Denmark.
Jesper recently visited Oslo to train the first Norwegian jem & fix employees on creating shift plans, registering absences, managing HR tasks, and communicating with colleagues via Timegrip.
Systems that work
In 2017, Jesper’s Danish colleague, Kennet Foersom Iversen, moved to Norway as jem & fix’s new Country Manager. He is responsible for establishing the first four hardware stores in Eidsvoll, Larvik, Fredrikstad, and Elverum.
"For Jesper and me, it has been crucial to bring systems from Denmark that simply work. It’s very reassuring to know that Timegrip is already used by other companies in Norway and has been successfully implemented for years. We also found a payroll bureau in Norway that integrates with Timegrip. Accurate data and payroll are critical during any startup phase and allow us to focus our time and energy where it’s needed most," says Kennet Foersom Iversen.
Jem & fix opened its first store in Fredericia in 1988 and now operates 115 low-cost hardware stores with 1,600 employees in Denmark.
"In Denmark, we reached a point where we were looking for new markets to expand into. We chose Norway because it is one of our neighbouring countries and because Norwegians spend the most money per capita in Europe on home renovations," explains Kennet Foersom Iversen.
Increased employee satisfaction
Jesper Paarup Blicher has been responsible for Timegrip at jem & fix since 2005. For him, Timegrip is more than just a time tracking and shift planning tool—it’s a resource management solution.
"At jem & fix, we are very conscious of how we use our resources. This isn’t just about how many employees work where and when, but also about their skills. Which employees are capable of performing specific tasks? Thanks to Timegrip, we now have the same capability in Norway," says Jesper Paarup Blicher.
He highlights that employee satisfaction at jem & fix in Denmark has significantly increased since the launch of Timegrip’s Web App, which allows employees to view their upcoming schedules on their mobile phones. They can also send messages to each other and swap shifts easily.
Jesper is also highly appreciative of Timegrip consultant Henrik Larsen, who played a key role in establishing Timegrip in Norway. Henrik has worked for Timegrip since 2009 and has been the dedicated consultant for jem & fix since 2015.
"I am deeply grateful for the work Henrik Larsen does, particularly his flexibility and positive attitude. We couldn’t have transitioned Timegrip to Norway so seamlessly without him," says Jesper Paarup Blicher.
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