However, this does not apply to business enterprises where Christian Stadil owns less than 100 percent of the company. BT has been able to document that it does not close operations in Russia for Brødrene Hartmann A / S, which produces packaging and in which Stadil owns the majority of shares.
At the beginning of 2021, the Hartmann A / S brothers bought a factory in Russia, which provided revenues of DKK 90 million a year, and since the company is part of the Thornico Group, the millions thus also contribute to Stadil’s empire.
Christian Stadil therefore continues to make money in Russia. This is despite the fact that several Danish companies have chosen to close all business enterprises in the country.
‘Russia wins more’
The serial entrepreneur is otherwise not pale for showing his support for Ukraine on social media. At the same time, his company Hummel has made fundraisers for Ukraine through Amnesty.
But to BT, Christian Stadil gives an explanation for the choice to stay in Russia.
– If we stop production or put our factory up for sale, the Russian government will gain more than if we maintain operations. The biggest financial contribution to the Russian government would be a transfer of our factory, which can be operated immediately in Russian hands, says Christian Stadil.
Hard to say
It has not yet been possible for Ekstra Bladet to get an in-depth comment from Christian Stadil in relation to that statement.
But according to Lars Johannsen, who is an associate professor at the Department of Political Science and an expert in global political economy – including economic sanctions – it is difficult to say what hits Russia hardest.
Lars Johannsen can therefore not say what is optimal if you want to make life miserable for President Putin, as it can be individual for each company.
But Christian Stadil can also not conclude that a transfer of their factory will be the biggest economic contribution to Russia.
– One can not say what is necessarily right and wrong. But in return, the companies that withdraw from Russia will take an economic loss.
– Whether there is a gain for the Russian state, which is greater, by the fact that production had continued, or that the company is being nationalized, is a very difficult calculation. Because then you have to discount back returns and things like that, and what will it cost for some to become unemployed. So it will completely depend on the individual company, says Lars Johannsen.
Will cost millions to leave Russia
One thing is for sure though. Removing all businesses in Russia will cost the company dearly. It can be extremely costly, and therefore the decision is probably just as much about Stadil’s own wallet.
It is in fact a question of how much money you yourself are willing to lose – and not least what you think is ethically correct. Among others, Carlsberg has withdrawn from Russia and thereby expects a loss of about 19 billion kroner.
– Every case is not necessarily so clear and simple, but they are of course in a dilemma. It is the individual company that must weigh these problems and opportunities.
– For companies that are very capital-intensive, it can be very, very costly to withdraw if the company is nationalized and you can not sell the company, which is very difficult in Russia at the moment, says Lars Johannsen.
Pulled sponsorship deal from Tibet
This is not the first time that Christian Stadil is getting into trouble on the geopolitical scene. Back in 2006, Hummel emerged as a major supporter of the poor national football team in Tibet.
A sponsorship agreement had been entered into here, which was to run for five years, but already in 2008 the agreement was terminated. It went beyond their trade with China.
Therefore, Hummel withdrew from the agreement, leaving the Tibetan national team without the sponsorship money.
Preached karma and sailed explosives
Since the 00s, Christian Stadil has first emerged as a Buddhist, preaching peace, love and karma.
Nevertheless, Christian Stadil chose to lease a ship through Thorco Shipping to the company Shipcraft, which was to sail with missiles and explosives to South Korea and China, respectively.
Exactly 69 ground-to-air rockets and 150 tons of explosives were transported, but the ship was stopped several times during the cargo, as the many explosives were not loaded correctly and the papers were out of control.