A unique job

Sindre Selvig is a project engineer and works with everything from construction to project management. He is also a dedicated mountain enthusiast.

"I first moved to the neighbouring municipality of Ålesund because of the nature, and then I heard about this job position. I quickly realized that there are very few jobs like this in Norway, where you get to follow the entire process from an idea is born, to seeing the finished product being wheeled out the door. And it was an extremely big bonus that this particular job takes place in such amazing surroundings."

In the area around the factory are some of Europe's most beautiful mountain sides for free-riding and summit tours. Just behind the factory is the majestic Skopphornet, which tempts with incredible views all year round. Two ski resorts are also within twenty minutes' reach. Sindre has always loved being out in nature, to such an extent that he actually combines his engineering job with a part-time job as a summit guide.

"Abroad, this is a professionally protected title, and it means, in short, that I am certified to take people out on trips in all kinds of mountain areas," he explains.

Sindre also loves ice climbing, a passion he can indulge in just a few minutes from the factory's exit door. But how do you find time for small children, work and so many trips in the mountains?

"Hard priorities!" laughs Sindre. "Fortunately, I have a flexible job. If the mountain calls, I can leave work a little earlier, squeeze in a skiing trip before picking up my kid at kindergarden, and work in the evening again."

“It doesn't get any better”

Petter Hørthe, project engineer and product developer at Ekornes, is another mountain enthusiast who has found his dream job in Sykkylven. He has lived in Ålesund since 2016, and it was because of the beautiful mountains that he came to Møre og Romsdal.

"Then the job at this company came up, and it was a perfect match," says Petter.

Petter is also a keen skiing enthusiast and likes to spend the morning on the mountain before starting work.

"I put the skis in the car, take the 6:00 ferry from Ålesund, head up into the mountains and return to work before 9:00," he says enthusiastically. One of his favourite hikes is the mountain Høgnykjen on Fjellsetra, not far from the factory. "It starts high, so it doesn't take long before you're at the summit. The descent is absolutely beautiful," he says.

Both remember particularly well an overnight trip a few years ago. Then they went skiing right after work, went to sleep under the open sky on a mountaintop, and drove back down to the factory at sunrise the next morning.

"It just doesn't get any better", says Petter.

A contagious commitment 

Sindre and Petter are just two examples of committed and active employees at the company. The passion for outdoor life is an important part of identity both at work and privately. Both find energy and inspiration in the nature around them, and use this energy to cope with a hectic workday. Research shows that getting out into beautiful surroundings, while also getting your heart rate up, helps you gather your thoughts and be more productive when you return to work. You can read more about that in this interview with psychiatrist Kari-Elise Frøystad Veddegjærde.

Their love for nature means that Sindre and Petter also are deeply concerned with sustainability. With sincere passion and commitment, they help contribute to an environment where new and innovative products can be developed with nature in focus.

As Sindre says: "You become more concerned with taking care of nature when you use it. That is why, among other things, it is important for us to think about the entire life cycle of the product when we create a design, so that the climate footprint is as small as possible."

Not feeling inspired yet? Take a look at some of the amazing photos and videos from their trips featured on this page, or visit Sindre and Petters Instagram accounts!