Krødsherad Business & Economic Outlook: Entrepreneurial Opportunities and Industry Dynamics

Krødsherad municipality, situated in Viken county along the shores of Lake Krøderen and at the base of Norefjell, features a dual-engine economy anchored by high-tech manufacturing, specialized craft services, and a robust tourism and hospitality sector.

With an active workforce of nearly 2,000 employees across its corporate and public institutions, Krødsherad generates roughly NOK 2 billion in annual business turnover. The municipality benefits from strong geographic specialization: Noresund serves as the administrative, commercial, and tourism hub, while Krøderen functions as an industrial and high-revenue manufacturing base.

Key economic strengths include exceptionally strong per-employee productivity in manufacturing and specialized installation, alongside an extremely resilient corporate sector with minimal bankruptcy activity. For entrepreneurs and local stakeholders, Krødsherad presents targeted opportunities in tourism supply chains, construction services, and technology-driven niche production.

Over the past decade, Krødsherad's economy experienced steady expansion, peaking in total corporate sales during 2023 before undergoing a moderate macroeconomic adjustment. Total registered sales grew from NOK 1,528.7M in 2016 to a high of NOK 2,136.5M in 2023, reflecting sustained capital investment and growth in local industry.

Following broader national inflationary pressures and interest rate adjustments, corporate revenue moderated to NOK 2,096.7M in 2024 (-1.9% YoY) and NOK 1,939.3M in 2025 (-7.5% YoY). Employment trends have displayed similar resilience, expanding from 1,738 employees in 2021 to 2,079 in 2023 (+10.4%), before settling near 1,885 in 2024 and 1,851 in 2025. Projections for 2026 indicate a strong rebound, with employment expected to reach 1,982 (+7.1% YoY).

Krødsherad’s business structure is characterized by a concentrated group of high-yielding industrial and service operations. The corporate landscape is heavily dominated by private limited companies (AS), which account for 77 companies, 1,139 private-sector jobs, and over NOK 2.06 billion in annual operating revenue.

Key Industry Clusters

• Motor Vehicle Parts & Manufacturing: Led by specialized global producers like Hts Besafe As, generating NOK 528.9M in operating income with an outstanding operating income per employee of NOK 12.0M.
• Electrical Installation & Technical Services: Generating NOK 312.8M in revenue across 2 companies and employing 214 workers, maintaining a healthy 13% EBITDA margin.
• Hotels & Destination Tourism: Encompassing 5 hotel/resort operations generating NOK 219.7M in operating income and employing 263 people, driven primarily by the Norefjell region.
• Civil Engineering & Construction: Includes heavy utility construction (NOK 151.6M revenue), site preparation, and concrete manufacturing (Holtet group).
• Agriculture & Fruit Production: Comprising 3 companies and 126 reported workers, forming a distinct seasonal and agricultural niche in Krødsherad.
• Public & Municipal Services: Municipal administration (KOMM), primary education, and healthcare institutions (ORGL) together employ over 600 public-sector staff.

Economic activity in Krødsherad is concentrated around two primary geographic nodes: Noresund and Krøderen. Each location plays a distinct role in the local economy.

Spatial Comparison

Noresund

Noresund is the primary employment hub and municipal center, hosting 65 companies and 1,260 employees. It serves as the gateway to Norefjell, hosting the majority of tourism, hospitality, public services, healthcare facilities, and retail supermarkets like Ng Kiwi Buskerud As Avd 526 Noresund (NOK 149.4M operating income).

Krøderen

While hosting fewer overall companies (52) and employees (808), Krøderen is the municipality's financial powerhouse. Generating NOK 1,478.0M in operating income, Krøderen is home to major industrial manufacturers, civil engineering firms, and electrical contractors.

The employer landscape in Krødsherad consists of a mix of municipal entities, large technical contractors, international product manufacturers, and premier leisure destinations.

Primary Employers in Krødsherad

1. Krødsherad Kommune: 397 employees (General public administration).
2. Krøderen Elektro As Avd Krøderen: 211 employees, NOK 310.9M operating income (Electrical installation).
3. Norefjell Ski & Spa As: 202 employees, NOK 203.3M operating income (Resort & hotel operations).
4. Kryllingheimen: 99 employees (Residential care & nursing facilities).
5. Øvre Glesne Jordbær As: 78 employees (Fruit production).
6. Krødsherad Skole: 64 employees (Primary education).
7. Pleie Og Omsorgstjenesten I Krødsherad: 58 employees (Home-based nursing care).
8. Hts Besafe As: 51 employees, NOK 528.9M operating income (Motor vehicle parts manufacturing).
9. Plamek As: 41 employees, NOK 62.3M operating income (Civil construction).
10. Krødsherad Kommune Villa Fjellgløtt Bolig: 36 employees (Care homes).
11. Åsne Rogstad: 33 employees (Fruit production ENK).
12. Holtet Pukk & Betong As: 32 employees (Ready-mixed concrete manufacturing).
13. Holtet Betongelementer As: 31 employees (Concrete products manufacturing).
14. Krøderen Kro & Motell As: 31 employees (Hospitality & dining).
15. Ng Kiwi Buskerud As Avd Noresund: 29 employees, NOK 149.4M operating income (Grocery retail).
16. Geoenergi As: 26 employees (Site preparation).

Krødsherad demonstrates exceptional corporate stability and financial resilience compared to broader regional averages. Over the observed period, insolvency rates have remained remarkably low, with only 1 registered bankruptcy across the municipality (Inspirertos As in the 'other education' sector, with 0 employees and NOK 0 turnover).

This near-zero bankruptcy rate highlights a mature, well-capitalized business community where core employers—particularly in specialized technical trades and manufacturing—maintain sound balance sheets. Operating margins across active private companies average between 4% and 12%, providing solid cash flow buffers against economic downturns.

For prospective founders and expanding companies, Krødsherad offers strategic advantages rooted in its proximity to Eastern Norway's major urban centers and strong local industry anchors.

High-Potential Opportunity Areas

• Tourism Sub-contracting & Year-Round Hospitality: With Norefjell Ski & Spa As drawing significant regional tourism, there is room for specialized experiences, outdoor activity management, equipment rentals, and eco-tourism offerings.
• Technical & Sub-supply Services: Given the high concentration of manufacturing (Hts Besafe As) and electrical expertise (Krøderen Elektro As), B2B maintenance, automation, and logistics services have established customer bases.
• Sustainable Construction & Site Preparation: Local civil engineering and concrete manufacturing firms benefit from ongoing cabin development and infrastructure projects around Lake Krøderen and Bøeseter.
• Local Food Processing & Value Addition: Building upon the local fruit and strawberry production cluster (Øvre Glesne Jordbær As), founders can explore artisanal food brands and direct-to-consumer agri-tourism.

Founders interested in exploring specific commercial addresses, local zoning, or market gaps in Krødsherad can use tools like SmartGrunder to evaluate business locations and demographic data.

Krødsherad presents a balanced economic structure characterized by robust industrial output in Krøderen, vibrant tourism and retail activity in Noresund, and strong municipal backing. The combination of high revenue per employee in manufacturing, low bankruptcy rates, and an established tourism destination makes the municipality an attractive location for stable, long-term business development.

As employment figures project a strong recovery heading into 2026, local leadership and entrepreneurs are well-positioned to capitalize on Krødsherad's unique industrial heritage and natural assets.