Our history
Our story began in 1654 as a mining company at Løkken Verk in Trøndelag in Norway, along the Orkla River in the Orkland municipality. That same year, we began mining operations, capitalizing on the area's rich ore deposits. Over the centuries, Orkla has transformed, not just in its industry focus but also in its operating models. We evolved from a pure mining company into a leading branded consumer goods company.
Today, Orkla is an industrial investment company and one of Norway's largest publicly traded companies, consistently innovating and adapting to drive growth and create value.
Milestones from Orkla’s long history of adapting to change
1654
The copper pyrite mining operations at Løkken Verk in Trøndelag in Norway are started.
1904
Orkla Grube-Aktiebolag is founded to continue the operations of the pyrite mines at Løkken.
1929
Orkla becomes a publicly listed company.
1941
Orkla Industrier begins building its investment portfolio.
1975
Orkla establishes an office in Oslo with the aim of expanding Orkla's industrial platform.
1986
The merger results in Orkla Borregaard with core areas in Branded Consumer Goods, Chemicals, and Financial Investments.
1991
The merger with Nora Industrier forms the foundation for Orkla's Nordic focus on branded consumer goods.
1995
Orkla acquires Procordia Food and Abba Seafood in Sweden. The Swedish brewery Pripps and Norwegian Ringnes merge, becoming jointly owned by Orkla and Volvo.
2000
Orkla acquires a 40% ownership stake in Carlsberg Breweries and purchases the Danish media company Det Berlingske Officin.
2004
Carlsberg Breweries is sold.
2005
Orkla acquires Elkem/Sapa and Chips Abp.
2006
Orkla Media is sold.
2007
Orkla becomes the largest shareholder in Renewable Energy Corporation (REC) with 39.99% of the shares. Orkla also acquires MTR Foods in India.
2011
Orkla announces that its strategic focus will be on growth in branded consumer goods. This includes the sale of Elkem and the majority of Orkla's share portfolio and other assets outside its core area.
2012
Orkla enters into agreements to acquire the Norwegian branded goods companies Jordan and Rieber & Søn.
2014
Orkla enters into an agreement to acquire NP Foods Group, making Orkla one of the largest suppliers of branded consumer goods to the grocery trade in the Baltics.
2021
Orkla acquires Eastern Condiments Private Limited in India, doubling its revenue in the country. Orkla also acquires NutraQ, New York Pizza, and Noí Siríus.
2023
Orkla ASA transformes into an industrial investment company.
2024
Lilleborg is sold.