Shaping Denmark’s Maintenance Industry
The Danish Maintenance Society (DDV) is a non-profit network that connects professionals in Denmark’s maintenance industry. With around 1,000 members from over 350 companies, DDV fosters knowledge exchange and collaboration through conferences, seminars, and company visits. Its mission is to help organizations optimize operations through effective maintenance, positioning maintenance as a key factor for long-term success.
DDV’s vision is to be Denmark's main hub for operational optimization through maintenance. It offers a platform where organizations can learn best practices, improve processes, and stay updated on developments in the maintenance field.
“Our goal is to position maintenance as a strategic advantage for businesses, ensuring sustainability and improving efficiency,” says DDV Chairman Jesper Pedersen.
Evolution of Denmark’s Maintenance Sector
Denmark’s maintenance sector has evolved with technological advancements, automation, and sustainability demands. DDV has developed the DDV Analysis, an online tool for organizations to benchmark their maintenance maturity.
The tool measures perceived maintenance levels across five stages: planned maintenance, proactive maintenance, optimized organization, engineered reliability, and maintenance excellence, using 25 key subjects to benchmark organizations' maintenance practices.
It helps identify improvement areas and encourages internal discussions on best practices. With over 400 responses so far, DDV aims to verify these results through academic research in 2025.
Through the DDV Analysis, organizations can identify their strengths and weaknesses, align their maintenance strategies with company goals, and prioritize investments in areas that will deliver the greatest impact. The tool also fosters internal discussions within organizations, helping maintenance teams build a common understanding and approach to challenges.
Attracting and Developing Talent in Maintenance
“The maintenance sector in Denmark is shifting from merely fixing equipment to optimizing operations and reducing downtime,” says Eva Mosegaard, CEO of DDV.
Attracting young talent is a priority for DDV and for the success in the industry. The organization offers the Asset Maintenance Management course for professionals new to maintenance or project management. In collaboration with educational institutions, DDV also publishes the textbook Vedligehold (Maintenance), which is used in a variety of educational programs, including Marine and Technical Engineering and the Technological Diploma in Maintenance. This resource provides students with essential knowledge about strategic maintenance management and optimization of production and process plants. DDV offers free membership to students, helping them stay connected to the industry and providing them access to a vast network of professionals.
“Our goal is to equip the next generation of maintenance professionals with the knowledge they need to succeed,” says Pedersen.
Meeting the Need for Interdisciplinary Skills
As automation and digitalization transform maintenance, there is a rising demand for professionals with interdisciplinary skills. DDV offers specialized training courses in technologies such as AI, predictive analytics, and digital twins. Their Machine Learning/AI network focuses on predictive maintenance, helping members reduce downtime and costs.
“The future of maintenance is deeply tied to digitalization, says Mosegaard.”
“Our members are increasingly interested in exploring the potential of AI and predictive analytics to enhance operations and prevent unexpected breakdowns.”
Sustainability and Climate Goals
Sustainability is a key focus for DDV, with the organization helping members adopt energy optimization, circularity, and sustainable repair practices. DDV encourages its members to align with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including those focused on clean energy, responsible consumption, and innovation.
“Sustainability is not just a trend; it’s a necessity,” says Pedersen.
Innovations Shaping the Future of Maintenance
Predictive analytics, AI, and machine learning are transforming the future of maintenance in Denmark. These technologies enable organizations to monitor equipment in real-time, predict potential failures, and optimize maintenance schedules. While still a relatively new area for many DDV members, there is growing interest in these innovations.
DDV has established a network focused on Machine Learning/AI, where members can explore the application of these technologies in maintenance. Events and workshops in this network have been met with great success, and the demand for knowledge in this field continues to grow. Additionally, DDV works to keep its members informed about global trends and technological developments through its online platform, OPTIMERING.NU, which shares relevant case studies and insights.
“AI and predictive analytics are still emerging fields in the maintenance sector, but the demand for knowledge is increasing,” says Mosegaard.
“We are excited to help our members stay informed and explore how these technologies can help them improve their operations.”
Staying Updated with Global Trends and Standards
DDV ensures its members stay aligned with global trends and standards, contributing to the translation of international maintenance standards through Dansk Standard. The organization also organizes workshops on Maintenance KPIs to help professionals stay competitive globally.
“By staying updated on global trends and standards, our members can ensure their practices align with the latest industry developments,” says Pedersen.
“This is key to maintaining high performance and competitiveness on the global stage.”
Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, DDV’s vision centers on innovation, collaboration, and sustainability. It aims to maximize asset reliability, optimize resources, and contribute to Denmark’s circular economy. DDV’s leadership believes proactive maintenance will continue to drive value for businesses and help position Denmark as a global leader in maintenance.
“We believe proactive maintenance will continue to drive value for organizations,” says Mosegaard.
As DDV fosters collaboration, the Danish maintenance sector is set to remain at the forefront of innovation and sustainability.
Jesper Pedersen,
DDV Chairman, Principal Engineer at Vattenfall
“Networking is an important part of my daily work. Through a professional network, knowledge and skills are developed and can be used both personally and professionally. I participate in the development of the DDV Analysis, and I am also a member of the editorial board of the book Vedligehold, participating also as an instructor in DDV courses and facilitating several networks.”
Eva Mosegaard,
office manager and CEO of DDV since 2014
“To me, working in a society in collaboration with people who participate voluntarily is the best way to work. Everyone who participates has a desire to broaden their knowledge and build valuable relationships - our goal is to make it happen.”
Text: Nina Garlo Photos: The Danish Maintenance Society
