Concrete Giant Emphasizes Independence from Controversial Businessman

In a proactive move,Ølen Betong has issued a firm statement clarifying its current lack of affiliation with Atle Sigmund Berge,a businessman with significant interests in Russia. This declaration follows scrutiny surrounding Berge’s recent political donation and past association with the company.

Bjørn Richard Johansen, spokesperson for Ølen Betong, stated unequivocally, Since March 2023, Atle Berge has had no connection with Ølen Betong. He also has no ownership posts in the company today. This statement aims too dispel any potential misunderstandings arising from recent media coverage.

The Roots of the Controversy: A Political Donation and Berge’s Business History

The controversy stems from a donation made by Atle Berge to a Norwegian political party advocating for peace. During a recent public debate, party leader Marielle Leraand identified Berge as the donor, highlighting his background as the founder of Ølen Betong. This revelation has triggered investigations by both the party’s internal ethics committee and the Norwegian Police Security Service (PST).

Berge himself confirmed the donation, stating in an email to NTB, I have given the amount so that the money can be used for active marketing of the party until upcoming elections. It is very important that there is a party that has a peace message and does not want to use large funds for war and military renovation.

Prior to this donation, Berge had already established himself as a prominent figure in the concrete industry, both in Norway and Russia. After building Ølen Betong into one of Norway’s largest concrete producers, he expanded his business interests into Murmansk, Russia, where he established a concrete operation supplying materials for major regional projects.

Ølen Betong’s Restructuring and Current Operations

Ølen Betong emphasizes that Berge divested his ownership stake in the company two years prior. According to the company, his connection to the company is now a laid back chapter.

Ølen Betong AS is a wholly owned subsidiary of ØB Group AS, established in 2021 as part of a broader restructuring within the Nordic Concrete Group (NCG). This restructuring consolidated ownership of Ølen Betong AS, Ølen Betong Transport AS, and related subsidiaries under the ØB Group umbrella.

NCG operates from 65 locations across Norway and boasts an annual turnover of approximately NOK 4.4 billion. the company reiterates that None of these companies today have any connection to Atle Berge.

The Broader Context: Foreign Investment and Political Influence

This incident highlights the increasing scrutiny surrounding foreign investment and potential political influence, particularly in the wake of geopolitical tensions. While Berge’s business activities in Russia predate the current conflict in Ukraine, they nonetheless raise questions about the ethical considerations of doing business in certain regions.

According to a recent report by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs,there is growing concern about the potential for foreign actors to exert undue influence on Norwegian politics through financial contributions. This case involving Ølen Betong and Atle Berge serves as a stark reminder of the need for transparency and vigilance in safeguarding democratic processes.