Room to succeed
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Transcript of Room to succeed
Room to succeed space to live
Sam Eyde Kristian Birkeland Gunnar Knutsen Serine Jeremiassen Axel Borchgrevink Amtmand Aall Petter Stordalen Gun Vik Ånund Olsen Hallgeir Skogen Elise Thiis-Evensen Nils-Johan Tufte Bernt Ove Søvik Mariette Røed Torjussen Carl Eugen Berg Hanssen Bjørn Kristiansen Astrid Skreosen Benjamin Sewell Jan Thomas Harald Thiis-Evensen Petter Øygarden Alfred Pedersen Wright Halvor Olsen and many, many more…
Grenland has been the birthplace of many great ideas. The opening chapters of many success stories were written
here. Now it’s your turn. Do you have a bright idea, a great product or an established business? Then consider
locating in Grenland. This prosperous and diverse region of Telemark has a long tradition of entrepreneurship and is
the kind of place where smart thinking thrives. Countless businesses, from manufacturers to fashion designers, are
proud to call Grenland home. The lifestyle here combines the urban and cosmopolitan with the rural and idyllic. Enjoy
countryside and forests, fjords and mountains right on your doorstep. There’s space for everyone.
Grenland. Room to succeed, space to live.
3
Room to succeed
“Herøya Industrial Park is the perfect location for demanding, future-oriented manufacturing businesses. We’ve been here since 1928 and have grown into Norway’s leading industrial park with all the necessary infrastructure: power, steam, natural gas and port facilities.”
Thor Oscar Bolstad, managing director, Herøya Industrial Park
Thriving and dynamic
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Grenland is the industrial heart of Norway. Goods
are exported worldwide from the ports around
Frierfjorden. At Herøya Industripark, Yara produces
fertilizer for the global market. Just across the fjord,
at the Frier Vest industrial site, Ineos and Noretyl
produce raw materials for the plastics industry. The
process industry supports a large number of high-
tech suppliers that likewise compete on the global
stage.
But Grenland is about more than the process
industry. STX OSV fits out supply and anchor
handling vessels for the offshore industry in Norway
and worldwide, while ice cream from Diplom-IS
makes the perfect treat on a hot summer day. Both
these businesses are located in picturesque Brevik.
Grenland has become a centre for IT development.
GatSoft and Imatis specialize in administrative
systems for healthcare, and the entrepreneurs
behind eZ Systems provide free software for
web developers. This Skien-based company has
a team of young, enthusiastic employees spread
around the globe.
The economy of southern Telemark has undergone
major changes in recent years. Some long-
established manufacturing plants have closed
down, while new, future-oriented businesses have
sprung up in their place.
Kebony, which uses green technology for pressure-
treating timber, is a good example. Another
example is RHI Normag, an Austrian company that
is setting up shop in a former magnesium plant at
Herøya.
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“Free office space courtesy of Etablererkontoret and financial support from Vekst i Grenland and Innovation Norway Telemark were crucial to our success in the start-up phase, enabling us to reach out to other businesses and build a network.”
Astrid Skreosen, founder and managing director, ASAP Norway AS
From idea to business
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ASAP Norway AS is a company with big ambitions. It
is aiming for its specially developed, ultra-absorbent
birthing sheet to become a world-leading product.
It all started when Astrid Skreosen had a novel idea.
Along the way, Etablererkontoret, Vekst i Grenland
and Innovation Norway Telemark helped her turn
this idea into success.
Grenland is unique in that there are multiple
agencies in the region providing financial support
and advice to projects with growth potential.
Vekst i Grenland (ViG) offers the following services
to businesses in the process of starting up or
transforming:
Development Loans Equity Guarantees Grants
Development loans, targeted at small and medium-
sized businesses, are intended to provide early-stage
liquidity. ViG may also acquire a stake in a business.
Smaller projects may be eligible for direct grants,
and in other cases ViG can provide guarantees.
We work closely with other agencies that provide
start-up funding such as Innovation Norway
Telemark, Klosterøyafondet, Skiensfondet and
Telemark Utviklingsfond.
Vekst i Grenland AS (ViG, “Grow in Grenland”) is
the economic development agency serving the
municipalities of Bamble, Drangedal, Kragerø,
Porsgrunn, Siljan and Skien. ViG provides both
advice and funding. www.vig.no
Etablererkontoret i Grenland (Grenland Business
Enterprise Centre) provides free support, in the form
of courses and personal advice, to owners of start-
up businesses. The agency has offices in Skien and
Kragerø. www.etablererkontoret.no
Innovation Norway Telemark offers services and
financial support to promote innovation in Telemark.
The regional office is located on Klosterøya in Skien.
www.innovasjonnorge.no/telemark
WHO DOES WHAT
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“We were able to build our new plant in an industrial setting where all the neces-sary infrastructure already existed. That’s why we chose Grenland. There used to be a magnesium plant on the site, and we were able to secure long-term industrial supply contracts in the Norwegian electricity market.”
Roger Gravdal, managing director, RHI Normag AS
Space to expand
RHI Normag AS is a subsidiary of the Austrian RHI group, the world’s largest manufacturer of
refractory materials. RHI Normag is investing over NOK 500 million in a new production facility
at Herøya. The new plant supplies raw materials for RHI’s fire-resistant construction products.i
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Norway’s leading industrial park is in Grenland.
Herøya Industripark is home to 90 companies,
which between them employ 3,000 people
producing goods and services for local, national
and international customers. The infrastructure for
new businesses is already in place, which makes
Herøya more cost-effective than other locations for
new manufacturing operations. Uniquely among
industrial parks, Herøya has facilities and human
resources that allow companies to undertake pilot
manufacturing projects.
Kragerø Næringspark is centrally located halfway
between Oslo and Kristiansand, less than 1 km
from Highway E18. Over 25 businesses from a
wide range of sectors are based here, and there
is room for more. The municipalities of Kragerø
and Drangedal are working together to expand the
business park to keep pace with demand.
The local authorities in Grenland are constantly
working to meet the needs of business. New
commercial sites are developed, and established
business parks offer industrial and office premises
tailored to a variety of requirements.
Grenland’s economy is changing. At Porsgrund
Porselænsfabrik, the famous straw pattern is still
painted by hand. But, right next door to the world-
famous china factory, new urban spaces are taking
shape with trendy shops, health and wellness
businesses, fitness centres and commercial
premises.
Klosterøya in Skien is being transformed from
the site of a paper mill into a hub for the cultural
sector, ICT and biotechnology. Modern premises in
distinctive buildings, with access to shared meeting
spaces, provide an excellent home for growing
businesses.
Design: Mariette Røed Torjussen
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“I’ve been involved in some big changes. We handle change well here in Grenland. We have the strength and determination to see it through. We’ve always delivered the products our customers need.”
Øyvind Lindgren, sheet metal worker for 38 years at BIS Production Partner
Used to tough challenges
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Grenland has always led the way. Norway’s first
big engineering feat was the mill races blasted out
of the rock in the 16th century to conduct water to
power the sawmills in Skien. Timber from Telemark,
cut in these sawmills, was used to rebuild London
after the great fire of 1666. Ever since, industry in
the region has been quick to seize opportunities.
Today, microbiologists working on life-saving
vaccines and engineers researching carbon
capture represent the cutting edge of technology.
Thanks to the dynamic local economy, Grenland’s
workforce is unrivalled in its ability to adapt to
change in the face of stiff global competition.
It’s no coincidence that other parts of the world
turn to Grenland when faced with the challenge of
economic change. Our labour force is adaptable,
is used to shift work and is familiar with complex
processes. This was one reason why RHI Normag
and REC chose to locate here.
There’s a lot of know-how to be found in Grenland.
The number of engineers per head of population
is one of the highest in Norway. But the high level
of expertise is not confined to the technical field.
Our biotechnology industry is also attracting
international attention in areas such as the
development of an HIV vaccine.
Sawmill in Skien, 1875
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“Entrepreneurship has always been a priority at HiT. Our students have made a habit of winning national and international student enterprise competitions.”
Kristian Bogen, principal, Telemark University College (Høgskolen i Telemark – HiT)
Education and skills14
Telemark University College (HiT) has close
links with the business community through
undergraduate and PhD projects, student-run
businesses, and innovation and entrepreneurship
programs. These activities drive the relationship
between education and business. HiT is aiming
for full university status by 2016, and its research
activities will play a key role in achieving this.
HiT currently offers PhD programs in technology,
environmental and cultural studies.
There is also extensive research activity outside
of academia. Tel-Tek is a national R&D institute
focused on energy-efficient production processes
and cutting emissions. The multiphase rig at
Herøya is the jewel in Statoil’s research portfolio.
No other oil company has this kind of production
test bed. Right next to the rig is Norsk Hydro’s
research centre.
Norner AS is the continuation of a success story
that began 30 years ago as a world-leading
plastics R&D centre.
It’s no coincidence that the Norwegian government
has chosen Grenland as the location of Gassnova,
the company that manages the government’s
interests in carbon capture and storage.
DuVerden, a new science and learning centre in
Porsgrunn, is a key part of Grenland’s knowledge
economy. The centre’s mission is to improve public
knowledge of the natural sciences by stimulating
young people’s curiosity and interest.
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“So long as we’re through Asker before 5:40 in the morning, everything’s fine. That works well for us here in Drangedal. The road is not a problem.”
Halvor Olsen, farmer at Holte Gård in Drangedal
Getting to and fro
Every week, three truckloads of
quality produce including duck,
goose and eggs leave Holte Gård
destined for gourmet restaurants
in Oslo. The produce is all organic,
produced in a rural setting to ensure
high standards of animal welfare
and quality.
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Grenland is centrally located in both a Norwegian
and a European context. Well-developed road and
rail infrastructure links the region with Oslo and the
south coast of Norway.
In one of its most ambitious upgrade projects to
date, the Norwegian National Rail Administration
(Jernbaneverket) is double-tracking the line
between Grenland and Oslo. High-speed trains will
cut the present journey time by half. In the not too
distant future, there are plans to build the missing
link between the two main lines in the region.
The next few years will see the opening of a four-
lane motorway from Grenland to Oslo. Road links to
the south are also being upgraded to full motorway
standard by 2020. No matter where people and
goods are headed, Grenland is centrally located.
Continental Europe is closer than it has ever
been, thanks to the ferry route from Langesund to
Hirtshals (Denmark) and the region’s proximity to
Sandefjord airport. Skien airport is becoming a hub
for oil-related traffic.
Sweden
Oslo
Kristiansand
UK
Belgium
Rotterdam
Hamburg
Bergen
Grenland: Connected to the world
Hirtshals
Gothenburg
Stavanger
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Space to live
“I decided to move to Grenland after looking at the weather map and noticing that the region enjoys plenty of good weather and a great climate. I’m kayak crazy and can be found paddling among the skerries both before and after work. Sometimes I’m out there till midnight. It’s so relaxing, it’s almost like going on holiday for the evening.”
Anette Rolff, immigrant from Berlin
Urban and rural
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If you love swimming, skiing, kayaking, sailing,
hiking or fishing, you’ll love Grenland. Nature and
outdoor living are always close at hand. And in
our waterparks, the pool temperature is kept at a
constant 27°C all year round. Or maybe concerts,
city life and café latte are more your thing?
Grenland’s cities offer a full program of events
throughout the year.
The rocks visible at low tide off Brevik, Langesund
and Bamble mark the start of Norway’s south coast.
The natural beauty becomes still more spectacular
when you reach Kragerø – a municipality comprising
495 islands and skerries, which unsurprisingly has
attracted many artists. Kragerø is where Edvard
Munch came in search of sunshine.
There are plenty of ways to enjoy nature in the
winter, too. Several of the towns have lighted ski
trails close to residential neighbourhoods, and ski
centres with downhill slopes and groomed trails are
only a short distance away. Gautefall Alpinsenter in
Drangedal has 17 slopes, while Grenland Skisenter
in Siljan is open every evening.
At Svanstul, a half-hour drive north of Skien, snow
is guaranteed and groomed trails take you up into
the hills. If you’d like to build your own cabin, vacant
lots are available.
The mountains are not far away. Rauland,
Gaustablikk and Hardangervidda – names that are
music to the ears of any outdoor lover. Summer or
winter, there’s always something going on. Lively
après-ski or mountain wilderness – it’s all just a
short drive from Grenland.
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Nourishment for the soul
“Grenland produces a lot of good musicians. The music scene models itself on various artists, including Paal Flaata, the Klakegg brothers, Vidar Busk and perhaps even myself.”
Bugge Wesseltoft, internationally renowned jazz musician, composer and producer
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Playmobil Museum
Telemark Canal and M/S VictoriaIbsen PrizeIver Kleive
TheatrePerforming arts
Visual art
Festivals
Concerts
Music
Sport
Literature
Cinema
Photography
Food
Song Dance
PIT Porsgrunn International Theatre Festival
WrightegaardenParkbiografen
Teater Ibsen
Skagerak Arena
Skien Fritidspark
Ibsenhuset
Operagutta
Didrik Solli-Tangen
Bugge Wesseltoft
Henrik Ibsen
Alf Cranner
Bjørg Vik
Theodor Kittelsen
Rune Jarstein
Paal Flaata
Atle Pettersen
Tre Sopranos
Hanne HeghMorten Fevang
Jannicke Abrahamsen
Tore W. Aas
Merete Junker
Jørn Lier Horst Tor Åge Bringsværd
Vidar Busk
Liv Marit Wedvik
Kid Andersen
Dizzie Tunes
Frode Johnsen
Jonny Andvik
Mattis Herman Nyquist
Guttorm Guttormsen
SkiensJazzdragetAldebaran
Langesund Fish and Seafood Festival
Siljan River Boat FestivalTotally Wild wilderness festival
Blindtarmen Ski Festival
Coastal Museum
Kittelsenhuset
Porsgrunn City and Maritime Museum
Drangedal Bygdetun
Kragerø Harbour Festival
Snipetorpmarken
Auen urtegårdIbsen Walk
Eventyrfabrikken
Mule Varde
Langøytangen Lighthouse and Langøya
Herrevassdraget
Coastal Path
Halfdans Bokhus Sputnik Museet
Galleri Falkum Grenland Friteater
Galleri OsebroCulture Trail
Telemark Children’s and Youth TheatreMosaikk
Kafé K
Parkjazz
BrekkeparkenBacalao Festival
Shanty Festival
Jomfruland
Brass Festival
On the Edge – Norway’s philosophy festival in Kragerø
RIP: Rockeklubben i Porsgrunn
Henrik Ibsen Museum
Badeparken Under to tårn
Geo Norvegica Ælvespeilet
Skåtøy Song and Poetry Festival
Mersmak i Skien food festival
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Living in Grenland
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“In Grenland everything I need is close at hand. I can drop my son off at the daycare on my way to work and don’t waste time sitting in traffic. The sea and the mountains are nearby, so I manage to keep fit as well as every-thing else.”
Espen Ødegården, manager, Friskhuset Grenland fitness centre and Kremt Grenland advertising agency
Although compact, Grenland is Norway’s fifth
largest urban region. But you can still catch
fish for dinner right below the highway. The
municipalities of Siljan, Skien, Porsgrunn
and Bamble are home to more than 100,000
people and are so close together that we
treat Grenland as a single market for housing,
employment and retail purposes. Kragerø is
further south, on the coast, while Drangedal is
a densely forested inland community.
Siljan’s slogan is “the good place to live”. Many
people work in the cities but choose to live in
Siljan. The neighbouring municipality of Skien
is the largest in Grenland (and Telemark) and
an obvious commercial centre. Porsgrunn is
a modern industrial city with seafaring roots.
Bamble is a community of contrasts: coast,
deep forests and petrochemical plants.
Kragerø, which Edvard Munch called “the pearl
of the coastal towns”, teems with life in the
summer. Drangedal too is a tourist destination,
offering a wide range of summer and winter
activities. Surrounded by nature, many people
dream of owning a holiday home here.
The municipalities are all different. Each one
has a distinctive character and particular
qualities. What they all have in common is that
they are great places to live – whether you
prefer an apartment in an urban setting with
café life and everything within easy reach, a
house where you can moor your boat to the
porch, or a peaceful existence with the forest
as your only neighbour. Overall, Grenland has
almost 120,000 contented residents.
For the price of a two-room apartment in an
Oslo suburb, you can buy a single-family home
or a large apartment in Grenland. With it comes
freedom. The freedom to kiss goodbye to
crowded living or to reduce your housing costs
and live a little more.
25
… and space to retire
… and space to retire
776
29
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Do you have a recipe for success up your sleeve? An unrealized idea?
A growing business? Then come to Grenland. A prosperous and
diverse region of Telemark with a long tradition of entrepreneurship.
A place where smart thinking thrives.
Grenland. Room to succeed, space to live.
www.vig.no
www.visitgrenland.no
www.visittelemark.no
www.etablererkontoret.no
www.innovasjonnorge.no
www.skien.kommune.no
www.porsgrunn.kommune.no
www.bamble.kommune.no
www.kragero.kommune.no
www.siljan.kommune.no
www.drangedal.kommune.no
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