PRIDE IN EVERY MOVE Aarbakke AS is one of the world’s leading machining companies. Abigail Saltmarsh reports on its operation.
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Norwegian Aarbakke AS the motto is Pride in Every Move – and president Inge Brigt Aarbakke can be justifiably proud. Under the guidance of its CEO, the company has gone from strength to strength, and today, as one of the world’s leading machining companies, it is about to expand its capacity to meet increasing demand. “I started the company back in 1981 with one CMC machine,” says Mr Aarbakke. “We started off just machining parts for Norwegian industry. After five or six years, however, we began supplying the oil and gas industry and that is where we are today. “Now all our customers supply and install critical systems for the oil industry.” He goes on: “We have seen significant growth since then. Today we employ 280
people and last year we saw a turnover of €110 million and are now about to embark upon this expansion.”
Complete control Aarbakke is located in the Stavanger region, in the heartland of Norway’s oil industry. The region also has a long industrial tradition, based on practical solutions to specific problems, says Mr Aarbakke. “This tradition remains important to our employees. Our core values include knowledge, honesty, fellowship, winning culture and quality. Aarbakke has been built on this region’s industrial heritage, characterised by pride, hard work and innovation. Quality, delivery time, traceability and documentation have been key success factors for us.