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

6

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.

7

“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

8

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

i

9

“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

10

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

11

“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

12

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

13

“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.

15

“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.

i

16

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

17

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

20

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.

21

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

22

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

23

Living in Grenland

24

“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

- D

esi

gn

an

d p

rin

tin

g: R

ekla

me

hu

set

We

ra. P

ho

tos:

Da

g J

en

sse

n, w

ww

.sca

np

ix.n

o, T

om

Riis

, Ha

nn

y C

ha

rlo

tte

Pe

de

rse

n,

Va

rde

n, F

red

rik P

ed

ers

en

, Ru

hn

e N

ilsse

n, K

eb

on

y. N

orw

eg

ian

co

pyw

riti

ng

: Ole

Bjø

rn U

lsn

æs.

En

glis

h t

ran

sla

tio

n: T

om

Elle

tt f

or

NIL

SS

EN

te

kst

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

Scan the QR code to watch a short video