In august 2024, Kaare Taudahl celebrated his 50th anniversary at Fasterholt Maskinfabrik, where he at the age of sixteen began an apprenticeship as an agricultural machinery mechanic.
On the day of the anniversary, Kaare was genuinely celebrated by colleagues, friends and family in the company canteen. A very suitable, festive celebration of a man, who has been more than 150 times around the world together with his beloved truck. An achievement that speaks for itself.
Two weeks later, the company finally received The Royal Reward Medal given for fifty years of loyal and dedicated employment. Fasterholt’s Managing Director, Rikke Kjær Aslak, presented a surprised and unsuspecting Kaare with the medal. (Link video)
A story about fate
Whether it was fate or simple idleness that made Kaare Taudahl apply for an apprenticeship 50 meters from his childhood home in Fasterholt, is unknown. Regardless, it’s as if Kaare and the manufacturer have been closely connected since 1958, when both were born just seven days apart.
After Kaare began at the workshop, he was drafted into the military, where he, among other things, received a truck driving license. Back again after completing the military service, Kaare changed the apprenticeship to the job as truck driver. A title, he has held ever since.
The roadmap is in his veins
Kaare knows the Danish road map as the back of his hand. For instance, he knows alle the hotdog stands and which ones that are worth a visit. Furthermore, he knows all roads and road bridges in Denmark. Especially the road bridges are crucial, as the newer Fasterholt irrigators rise high.
Height is the only thing that has ever put Kaare in the police spotlight. Kaare was once pulled over, as the police wanted to see if his load was too high. It led to a good dialogue, and the police explained that it is necessary to have a special driving permit for extraordinarily tall loads.
Already a week later Kaare needed to deliver a tall irrigator and applied for a driving permit. When he saw it, he just shook his head. First of all, Kaare could tell that the route passed a bridge that was too low for the truck. Second of all, the police asked him to use a road prohibited for trucks.
Kaare presented the police with an alternative route, and they approved it right away. Today, he still makes his own routes, which the police approve. This is just one of many examples of the great respect that people have for Kaare’s knowledge and expertise.
