Norway's historic Ulefoss ironworks faces closure, 114 jobs at risk

CK Partners’ leadership, represented by Martin Sagen, has put forward a proposal to discontinue the casting segment at Ulefoss Jernverk, Norway’s oldest factory founded in 1657. The company argues that dwindling orders and rising competition from low-cost countries, particularly China, make the operation unsustainable, and suggests moving the remaining casting work to Stange. If approved, the plan would impact 114 employees at the historic site, which has long produced products such as manhole covers and, until 2000, iron furnaces.

The proposal was communicated to staff by email on Wednesday afternoon, and town-hall meetings are planned in Ulefoss, Stange and Kongsberg on Thursday. The board will review the recommendation next week.