Norges eldste bedrift legges ned etter 369 år

Norges Eldest Company to Close After 369 Years

The oldest company in Norway is set to close its doors after three and a half centuries. A board meeting at the company's Ulefoss steelworks revealed the outcome, informing employees of the decision. Morten Sæderup Nielsen, CK Partners' managing director, explained that the company will consolidate production in Stange to ensure a competitive forges business in Norway for the Nordic market.

The closure affects 114 employees at Ulefoss, causing significant disruption to a local community that has been closely tied to the steelworks generation after generation. Johan D. Cappelen and Carl D. Cappelen, co-owners of CK Partners, stated that they support the decision to retain forges production in Norway. Production from Ulefoss is expected to be gradually transferred to Stange within three years.

The forges production at Ulefos Esco in Kongsberg will continue. The sales companies in Ulefos' group are not affected by the change. Employees expressed shock and concern over the loss of their jobs and the impact on their families and local businesses. Some, like employee Christoffer André Kasin who has worked at the steelworks for 17 years, said they are disappointed and worried about the future of their livelihoods.

The company cited a weaker market, low activity in the construction sector, and increasing outsourcing of public water and sewer systems as reasons for the decision. Low demand has decreased by 30 percent over the past few years, leading to the closure of several Norwegian and European forges. Oddbjørn Maurdalen, CK Partners' managing director, said that the Stange forges has a more cost-effective operation and less risk associated with necessary investments, making it a more viable option.