The Norse Group Consulting Philosophy
Our Founder and President, Mr. Rod Ofte, has a very unique and refreshing view of business consulting.
Having had years of interaction with many of the large, big name consultants, Mr. Ofte thought the system of high fees and little to no accountability for results was a broken model. Companies that sought help, were often left with fancy power point slides and research, but no clear actions that could be feasibly implemented and deliver the desired results.
Norse Group Consulting has a totally different approach. Once we agree to work together, we are committed to get you results and will stay with you until the desired outcome is achieved.
Our staff of professionals have held line management and operational positions in the food and beverage industry and know how to find real world solutions to real world problems. No matter what stage of business you are at, we have the experience and tools to get you to the next level of performance.
Why “Norse”?
One of the earliest seafarers and discoverers were the Norsemen who set their sights on new lands and set sail for new opportunities. They risked everything to pursue their goals with little more than small wooden boats and a sheet of canvas.
It is in the spirit of the Norse that we approach each task, every objective, and every dream about to be realized.
About Rod Ofte
President of the Norse Holding Group and Norse Group Consulting
Mr. Ofte has over 15 years of management, sales, marketing and distribution experience in all phases of global food and beverage operations. He has earned a worldwide reputation for turning underperforming divisions into profitable growth units, and driving sustainable, long-term growth in the food and beverage industry.
A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Mr. Ofte earned his Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Boston University. After serving his country with honor as a Captain in the US Army, Mr. Ofte became Logistics Manager for Mars Inc., Germany.
After implementing higher quality standards and cost saving measures that amounted to millions of dollars in savings, he was promoted to Sales Director for Mars, Inc., Germany, where he delivered double digit sales volume growth and the largest market share increase in market history. In 1998 Mr. Ofte was then promoted to the position of General Manager of Mars, Inc., and responsible for food, snackfood, ice cream and petcare business development in 7 countries. Within three years he had turned a stagnant operation into one with consistent double digit growth.
Mr. Ofte was then promoted by Mars, Inc., to the position of Market Director for Flavia Beverage Systems’ North American Sales where, in three years, he tripled the growth, reduced costs by 47%, and created the largest
E–Commerce direct-to-consumer business unit in the Mars, Inc. company.
Once again, Mr. Ofte was promoted, this time to General Manager of Mars’ Flavia Beverage Systems of North America. A $115 million organization, Mr. Ofte provided strategic and operational leadership, delivering over 40% growth in one year, and executed a “Lean” re-engineering program resulting in a $5.8 million margin improvement.
Today Mr. Ofte brings his years of expertise, leadership and his strategic network to food and beverage entrepreneurs looking to successfully bring their products to market. His turn-key business model for small to mid sized FMCG companies has resulted in a track record of success virtually unmatched in the food and beverage industry.