After almost 30 years with ISO 9001: 
They keep asking questions

At Hansen & Søn A/S - Tricolore, years of experience are no reason to take established processes for granted. The company has renewed its ISO 9001 certification with Bureau Veritas since 1997. Each recertification is an opportunity to consider whether what works today could work even better. “It helps us avoid becoming complacent,” says the company’s Head of Quality Management.

Three days of recertification auditing - and no nonconformities.

That was the outcome when transport and logistics company Hansen & Søn A/S - Tricolore was audited once again by Bureau Veritas in September 2026.

The audit also provided fresh input for improvements. This combination of confirming what works well and identifying new opportunities is a key reason why the company continues to renew its certification.

“The most important reason is that ISO 9001 helps us avoid becoming complacent,” says Martina Mohrdieck, Head of Quality Management at Hansen & Søn A/S - Tricolore.

Almost 30 years of quality management have established many familiar routines. But the business, technology and customer expectations are constantly changing. Working practices therefore need to be reviewed regularly too.

“When you have been running a business for many years, there is a natural risk of doing things because ‘that’s how we’ve always done them’. ISO 9001 gives us a structured framework for continually questioning our own working practices and ensuring that the way we work continues to support quality, efficiency and customer expectations,” she says, adding:

“Are we still doing things in the best way? Are our processes clear and efficient? And are there areas where we could improve or simplify what we do?”

These questions keep quality improvement on the agenda between certification cycles.

ISO 9001 provides a foundation for growth

When Hansen & Søn A/S - Tricolore first achieved ISO 9001 certification in 1997, the company had around 50 employees and 27,900 m² at a single site. The aim was to establish consistent working practices and ensure that customers received the same level of service, regardless of who handled the task.

Today, the company has grown to around 150 employees and more than 110,000 m² across several sites in Denmark and Germany. Growth has made operations more complex and increased the need for consistent working practices throughout the organisation.

“Quality is therefore not the responsibility of one particular department or individual. It is something we are all responsible for, across the whole organisation - from warehousing and freight forwarding to sales, purchasing and finance,” says Martina Mohrdieck.

In recent years, the company has focused on digitising and automating records and documentation previously handled manually. This has improved traceability, reduced the risk of errors and made it easier to meet customers’ growing requirements for documentation and reporting.

“In this way, ISO 9001 is much more than a certificate. It is part of how we run and develop our business,” Martina Mohrdieck emphasises.

“We do not feel that certification has become a formality. On the contrary, we are still challenged on our working practices and on whether our systems and processes work as intended in practice.”

Martina Mohrdieck, Head of Quality Management at Hansen & Søn A/S - Tricolore

Industry knowledge makes the audit dialogue relevant

When Hansen & Søn A/S - Tricolore first selected a certification body, international recognition, technical expertise and integrity were important considerations. An understanding of the transport and logistics industry also proved essential.

That understanding remains an important part of the relationship with Bureau Veritas. The audit needs to reflect the realities that employees and management work with every day:

“For us, it is important that an auditor looks beyond whether procedures are documented correctly and also considers how they work in our actual business environment. We find that Bureau Veritas has a good understanding of the transport and logistics industry and the requirements and challenges that come with it,” says Martina Mohrdieck.

When an auditor asks about a process, it creates an opportunity to consider why a task is carried out in a particular way. This brings fresh perspectives to routines that could otherwise easily be taken for granted.

“Although we have worked together for almost 30 years, we do not feel that certification has become a formality. On the contrary, we are still challenged on our working practices and on whether our systems and processes work as intended in practice,” Martina Mohrdieck explains.

More than a certificate on the wall

The relationship with Bureau Veritas has developed alongside Hansen & Søn A/S - Tricolore. In addition to ISO 9001, it now includes IFS Logistics certification for the company’s logistics warehouse, as well as safety advisory services and monitoring of legislation relating to dangerous goods.

“It is a major advantage for us to have a partner that can offer a range of relevant services and expertise within our field. This creates a natural connection between certification, advisory services and the ongoing development of our processes, while allowing us to bring several areas together with one partner,” says Martina Mohrdieck.

Hansen & Søn A/S - Tricolore also finds that customers increasingly require or expect certification. ISO 9001 demonstrates the systematic approach to quality that underpins consistent, reliable service – even when a task involves several sites and employees.

But its value goes beyond documentation:

“After almost 30 years, we do not see ISO 9001 as a certificate simply to hang on the wall. We see it as an active tool for continual improvement and an integral part of how we run and develop our business.”

ISO 9001 focuses on your processes. A good audit should too. At Bureau Veritas, you work with auditors who understand your industry, ask relevant questions and assess how your quality management system works in practice. Whether you are seeking certification for the first time, renewing your certificate or changing certification body, we would be happy to discuss your business and its needs.