Kjell Smedsrud is the main shop steward at Nammo in Raufoss. He went to a cafe with the others in the union to celebrate when they got the news. Nammo has previously notified of the need for government financial assistance. Demand for ammunition has exploded, and the industry is struggling to keep up. The company is now entering into a contract with the authorities for the production of ammunition. It is worth up to NOK 2.6 billion. – We are very satisfied and happy about this here, says Smedsrud, and says that the investment will create many new jobs. But he knows the good news comes as a result of the war in Ukraine. Need to expand capacity news has previously reported that Nammo is asking for NOK 650 million from the government to be able to increase deliveries of weapons and ammunition to the Norwegian Armed Forces. The war in Ukraine means that the machines are running full time day and night at Nammo at Raufoss, where weapons and ammunition have been produced since 1896. – I have been at Nammo for 18 years. We have never seen anything like it, says CEO Morten Brandtzæg. AMMUNITION: Full boxes of special ammunition at Nammo in Raufoss. Photo: William Jobling / news In September, the CEO stated that production is at full capacity at all Nammo’s facilities in Norway and eight other countries. But deliveries must increase sharply to meet the enormous demand. The company now receives over NOK 2 billion from the state. It is the biggest contract Nammo has ever received. Means a lot Mayor Stian Olafsen in Vestre Toten says the contract means a lot to the municipality. – We can boast that we have skilled workers, expertise and technology to take responsibility in the security policy situation we are in, he says. SECURES THE MUNICIPALITY: The contract will secure the municipality for many years to come, says mayor Stian Olafsen. Photo: Kari Nygard Tvilde The contract will also secure the municipality for a long time to come. – We want to see more people here, and that means we can arrange to build homes and replace welfare, says the mayor. Marianne Stensrud, employee representative at Nammo, thinks this is absolutely fantastic. – It means so much, both to us and to the entire local community here, she says. SIGNIFICANCE: Stensrud and Smedsrud believe the contract means a lot for both the company and the entire local community. Photo: Frode Meskau / news – A serious backdrop At the same time, both Stensrud and chief shop steward Kjell Smedsrud know that the contract is a consequence of the war in Ukraine. – We think what is happening is terrible, but we are used to the fact that things can escalate, says Smedsrud. They are not the only ones left with somewhat mixed feelings after the contract was presented. People on the streets of Raufoss think it is good that they get more jobs in the village. But it comes with an aftertaste. Ole R. Thorsrud would have liked to have been without mixed feelings. – It is a tragic situation in the world, but bullets and gunpowder have been the foundation at Raufoss, he says. Unni Birkelund also believes that the large contract comes with an aftertaste. – It is an advantage after all that there will be more jobs, but there is a war behind it. – War leads to contracts. This is how it has always been and it will probably continue like this, says Roar Holm. He believes they must be proud of getting more jobs at Raufoss. Ronja Aglen Stikbakke is head of Innlandet SU. She also believes that there is a dilemma here. – Nammo has been an important contributor to more people living in Toten, and it is good to preserve jobs in the village, she says. DILEMMA: Stikbakke believes there is a dilemma in the new contract. Photo: Privat / news At the same time, she says that there is some division in the youth party about whether Norway should contribute weapons to Ukraine. – On the one hand, it is a war we are not fighting, and contributing weapons and ammunition will lead to more death and suffering. But we want to help Ukraine and the people there.
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Nammo at Raufoss gets a 2.6 billion contract with the state. It gives mixed feelings. – news Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio
