STORY / PUBLIC SOURCE RECORD
How work culture explains Norwegian industrial success
- Published 3 February 2023; updated 30 September 2026; estimated reading time 5 minutes. The article argues that Norway’s process-industry productivity is supported by worker skills, education, trust, autonomy, cooperation and low hierarchy, alongside access to relatively clean and affordable energy. It notes the article-era context of two large battery-cell factories under construction; that status is historical, not current.
- Agnethe Rieber-Mohn, HR Director at Glencore Nikkelverk, says the high-cost country has had to compete through productivity, quality and competence. Glencore Nikkelverk in Kristiansand is described as the Western world’s largest nickel refinery and part of global Glencore. Rieber-Mohn credits ongoing training, a skilled and loyal workforce and employee contributions to continuous improvement.
- Kåre-Bjarte Bjelland, Strategy and Communications Director at Eramet Norway, says operational performance depends on how well plants turn resources, machinery and facilities into product. Eramet operates three Norwegian processing plants. He describes autonomous shift teams running plants around the clock while managers mainly work regular hours, with leaders enabling staff rather than supervising every task. He says this reduces management overhead and frees resources for improvements.
- The article presents flat hierarchies and broad employee participation as sources of practical ideas, especially from factory-floor workers. Bjelland says technical specialists and managers comprise 10–30% of a typical industrial workforce, so decisions should include operational staff’s knowledge. Rieber-Mohn connects participation and open communication with motivation, performance and efficiency.
- Glencore Nikkelverk refines nickel, cobalt and copper used in batteries and could supply a growing Norwegian/European battery chain. The article suggests retraining workers from oil and gas and applying experience from smelting, maritime and offshore industries to emerging sustainable sectors. It argues established process companies remain relevant to energy and transport transitions.
- Named interviewees: Agnethe Rieber-Mohn (Glencore Nikkelverk) and Kåre-Bjarte Bjelland (Eramet Norway). Related industries: Battery, Industrial production, Digital infrastructure and Energy. Invest in Norway contact link provided; no direct personal contact is shown.