Andreas Bjørge

Andreas Bjørge was established in 1937 and holds long traditions as one of Norway's leading companies within the klippfish industry. Since its foundation, the company's main business activity has been saltfish and klippfish and is now a leading producer and exporter of klippfish. The company anticipates its 1997 production of klippfish to be 8.000 tons, approximately 12% of Norwegian klippfish exports. The family controlled company operates from its headquarters at Ellingsøy, an island adjacent to the Norwegian west coast city of Ålesund. Adapting to changes within the industry, though few dues to certain traditional limitations, Andreas Bjørge is at the forefront of development and use of new technology, both in production and administration. The company edged with the industry away from the traditional methods of drying fish to the more modem methods of indoor drying and, over the past several years, conducted major on site expansion and rationalisation. Its present production facilities cover some 10,500 square metres.

The company's main product is klippfish and produces all types including: cod, ling, tusk (brosmer/zarbo) and saithe. Klippfish is made and delivered in various forms depending on Consumer demand. It can be delivered whole or by specific cuts and can be packaged to sell in bulk or smaller consumer-packs. This year (1997) Andreas Bjørge AS presents it's new brand of Soaked Codfish, "NORDICA", in Brazil. This product allows consumers to chose a Codfish-dinner the very same day. Thus avoiding the 2-3 days of planning and preparations. Klippfish is mainly produced from fresh or frozen raw materials but some are based on purchased saltfish.

Dedicated to offering its Consumers the best product, Andreas Bjørge has chosen to remain at the forefront of development within the klippfish industry. The company has developed its own quality control system to guarantee high standards and swift and efficient service, from the purchasing of raw materials to shipping and delivery of the finished product.

The company's main markets are Brazil, Italy, Portugal, the Caribbean and Mexico, but also exports to Europe, Africa and North America. It has built a solid network of international contacts for klippfish and saltfish, which are serviced by a subsidiary export company. A large amount of klippfish produced by Andreas Bjørge is delivered to world markets through other export companies. Business arrangements such as this allow the company to monitor more closely specific market trends.

The export company's chief aim is to sale the largest part of Andreas Bjørge AS's production according to specified conditions. A further aim is to develop foreign market opportunities for the import of klippfish variations available form Norway.