Modum Municipal Economy: Industrial Strength, Health Services, and Entrepreneurial Landscape

Modum municipality, located in Viken county, presents a robust and varied local economy anchored by heavy civil engineering, specialized health services, municipal administration, and specialized manufacturing. With total annual corporate sales routinely reaching between NOK 8.5 billion and NOK 10.6 billion, Modum functions as a key industrial and service hub within the Drammensregionen and upper Buskerud catchment area.

The local labor market is supported by a stable employment base exceeding 10,000 workers across public and private sector enterprises. Vikersund serves as the primary commercial and administrative center, generating the overwhelming majority of turnover and hosting large private employers such as Hæhre Entreprenør AS and Rental Group Norway AS, alongside renowned institutions like Modum Bad. Secondary commercial nodes in Åmot and Geithus offer strong support in retail, cultural tourism, and niche manufacturing.

Modum's macro-economic metrics demonstrate persistent workforce expansion over the past decade alongside cyclical swings in corporate sales driven by large-scale infrastructure projects. Aggregate turnover among registered companies peaked at NOK 10.70 billion in 2020 before recalibrating to NOK 8.56 billion in 2023, followed by a sharp recovery to NOK 10.64 billion in 2024.

Total employment inside the municipality has steadily risen from 7,305 workers in 2016 to over 10,100 in recent years. This trajectory highlights strong structural job growth, particularly within civil engineering services, equipment maintenance, and health and social care sectors.

Note: Data reflects aggregated annual financial reporting for businesses registered in Modum.

The industrial composition of Modum is characterized by an influential civil engineering cluster, substantial public sector employment, and niche advanced manufacturing.

Primary Industry Sectors

• Civil Engineering & Infrastructure: Led by roads and motorways construction with reported industry revenue of NOK 4.87 billion and over 1,090 employees across 5 enterprises.
• Machinery Leasing & Maintenance: Renting and leasing of civil engineering equipment accounts for NOK 1.26 billion in turnover with exceptional EBITDA margins averaging 47%.
• Healthcare & Institutional Care: Includes psychiatric healthcare (Modum Bad), residential nursing care, and specialized municipal care homes, collectively employing over 1,500 people.
• Specialized Manufacturing: Valve manufacturing (Klinger Westad AS) generates NOK 525.8 million in turnover, while prefabricated wooden building production contributes NOK 296.0 million.
• Trade & Transport: Supermarket chains (10 companies, 202 employees) and road freight transport (15 companies, 161 employees) maintain strong local positions.

Legal Forms Distribution

Limited liability companies (Aksjeselskap / AS) generate NOK 11.21 billion in total operating income across 323 entities, employing nearly 4,000 workers. Municipal entities (KOMM and ORGL) represent the vast majority of non-commercial health, educational, and civic employment, with over 5,000 registered positions. Sole proprietorships (ENK) play an active micro-business role with 43 registered firms employing 173 people.

Economic activity in Modum is distributed across four primary settlements, with Vikersund serving as the central economic engine.

Urban Center Highlights

• Vikersund: Houses 73% of local corporate workforce and generates over 80% of municipal income. It hosts heavy equipment, civil engineering contractors, public administration, and health facilities.
• Åmot: Acts as a commercial and educational hub featuring Buskerud Videregående Skole, regional care facilities, retail, and key cultural assets like Modum Blaafarveværk.
• Geithus: Functions as a manufacturing cluster, anchored by valve producer Klinger Westad AS, alongside residential services and local trade.

Modum features a balanced mix of heavy industry, private equipment services, healthcare providers, and local government organizations.

Key Local Organizations & Employers

1. Modum Kommune: The municipality's central administration employs 2,510 administrative and civic workers across public services.
2. Hæhre Entreprenør AS (Avd Vikersund): A national civil engineering giant employing 1,018 local staff with an operating income of NOK 4.76 billion.
3. Administrasjon For Seksjon Funksjonshemmede: Public care provider employing 398 care professionals.
4. Modumheimen Sykehjem: Residential care home located in Åmot employing 312 healthcare workers.
5. Modum Bad Psykisk Helsevern: Nationally renowned psychiatric healthcare foundation with 264 employees and NOK 282.6 million in operating income.
6. Buskerud Videregående Skole: Technical and secondary school in Åmot employing 195 educators and administrative staff.
7. Klinger Westad AS: High-tech industrial valve manufacturer in Geithus employing 164 people, producing NOK 525.8 million in turnover (22% annual growth).
8. Rental Group Norway AS (Avd Vikersund Reparasjon): Major heavy equipment leasing and maintenance facility in Vikersund, employing 123 technicians with NOK 1.26 billion in revenue.
9. Vy Buss AS (Avd Vikersund): Regional passenger transport operator employing 122 drivers and transit staff.
10. Vikersund Bad Rehabiliteringssenter AS: Specialized rehabilitation clinic employing 115 staff with NOK 131.8 million in revenue.

Modum exhibits solid corporate stability. Insolvencies remain low relative to the municipality's total pool of over 3,300 registered entities and 323 active AS companies.

A sample of recent insolvencies includes 8 smaller businesses spanning individual kiosks, local painting contractors, small freight transport, and personal wellness firms:

• Go'biten Kiosk AS (Åmot): Supermarket/kiosk sector with NOK 5.0M in sales revenue prior to insolvency.
• Euro Frakt AS (Vikersund): Road freight transport with NOK 2.1M in reported sales.
• Vox Drammen AS (Geithus): Physical well-being activities with NOK 519K revenue.
• Other micro-entities: Individual firms in civil engineering, beauty care, painting, and real estate development with zero reported payroll.

The low total count of bankruptcies underscores a resilient commercial environment where larger anchor firms maintain demand for sub-contractors and service providers across Viken.

For new business founders, Modum presents actionable opportunities across several distinct niches:

• Industrial Sub-Contracting & Technical Services: With Hæhre Entreprenør and Rental Group Norway generating billions in equipment maintenance and civil works, B2B services specializing in mechanics, logistics, electrical installation, and site services enjoy a ready local client base.
• Health, Wellness & Specialized Care: Building upon Modum Bad and Vikersund Bad's national reputation, private health services, allied therapies, and specialized wellness ventures find a highly supportive ecosystem.
• Craft, Trade & Sub-Contracting: Rapid growth in local technical consulting (17% revenue growth) and construction (14% growth) signals ongoing demand for skilled trades and residential contractors.
• Cultural & Heritage Tourism: Destinations like Modum Blaafarveværk and the Vikersund skiflyvningsbakke offer seasonal foot traffic that supports hospitality, food service, and artisanal retail ventures.

Founders interested in evaluating commercial addresses, local industry density, and competitive landscapes in Modum can utilize tools like SmartGrunder to explore real-time municipal market data and spot untapped business locations.

Modum municipality stands out as a well-balanced regional economy within Viken county. By combining a powerful infrastructure and civil engineering sector with renowned healthcare institutions, stable public administration, and growing technical services, Modum provides a solid foundation for enterprise creation.

Whether establishing B2B industrial services in Vikersund, manufacturing in Geithus, or retail and tourism ventures in Åmot, prospective founders benefit from a mature supply chain, reliable infrastructure, and strong local purchasing power.