KONGSBERG Celebrates Its 200th Year of Existence

Established on 20th March 1814, the Kongsberg Group (KOG), a leading Norwegian technology company celebrates 200 years in business today. The company can boast the longest industrial history in Norway, with continuous operations since its foundation.

As part of the Kongsberg Group (KOG), Kongsberg Maritime has played an important role in the development of the Norwegian technology company, which over two centuries has become a global leader within the maritime, oil & gas, defence and aerospace industries. KOG, originally Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk, was formed as a munitions company 200 years ago. In the years since it has grown to represent the best of Norwegian and international product and technology development.

“There are not many businesses in the world that can boast 200 years of continuous operations, and this is something we are very proud and respectful of. We can look back on a unique and memorable history, and we are now a leading international high-technology corporation,” says CEO Walter Qvam of KONGSBERG. In the maritime and offshore world, Kongsberg Maritime has become a vital aspect of KOG’s global capabilities and with over half a century of technology development for ships, Kongsberg Maritime is today recognised as a pioneer in the fields of DP, automation, subsea and simulation technology.

During the fifties, KONGSBERG company Simrad commercialised echosounder and sonar technology, making hydroacoustics available outside of the military for the first time. In 1969, Kongsberg Norcontrol installed the first ever computerised engine monitoring and navigation system on the M/S Taimyr. The company then unveiled its first navigational simulator in 1974, while the first engine room simulator arrived in 1978. In 1977 the first KONGSBERG Dynamic Positioning (DP) system was put into operation on board the diving support vessel Seaway Eagle.

“Over the years, Kongsberg Maritime has introduced a number of firsts that have contributed to safer and more efficient operations at sea. We have strong ambitions to continue the development of innovative, new solutions to meet future market demands” comments Geir Håøy, President, Kongsberg Maritime. “During our history, KONGSBERG has become a global company, with facilities and employees all over the world dedicated to supporting our customers, wherever they are.”

Press Release, March 20, 2014; Image: Kongsberg