Entrepreneurship, focus and long term commitment

Our logo, which contains an eagle and a lily, is inspired by a family coat of arms from the 16th century, and the Gjelsten family's ancestry goes back to the Gjelsten and Nakken farms northeast of Ålesund. The family's history is marked by both trade and business development.

From 1871, the trading firm P. A. Gjelsten operated a significant business in trade and shipping from Fiksdal, which until the First World War was one of the largest trading centres on the west coast of Norway.

In the period 1990-1995, Bjørn Rune Gjelsten was crucial for the development of RGI, which in 1996 merged with Aker. Mr. Gjelsten was chairman of the board of Aker and CEO of Aker RGI from 1996 to 2000. At the time Aker RGI had a turnover of NOK 50 billion and over 30,000 employees. Aker RGI was founded on clear values: defined goals, focus, hard work and active ownership. These values were also key when Mr. Gjelsten established Gjelsten Holding in 2000. Since then, considerable value has been created.

The group has a solid earnings track record and a strong financial platform, enabling further growth and value creation.