ASVO-Kongsberg AS

What ASVO-Kongsberg AS does

ASVO-Kongsberg AS is a Norwegian vocational rehabilitation enterprise (attføringsbedrift) founded in 1988 and wholly owned by Kongsberg municipality, providing supported employment, work preparation training, and inclusion services for people with reduced work capacity. The company operates three publicly funded programs (VTA permanent supported employment, AFT work preparation training, and I Gang for social assistance recipients) administered under NAV Kongsberg contracts, with over 100 people engaged daily across employee and participant populations.

The enterprise is structured around eight operating departments — canteen and catering, konditori (bakery), carpentry workshop, transport, packaging and assembly, fruit delivery, document shredding, and firewood production — alongside the ASVO-torget secondhand retail store and the ASVO-media unit. Products and services span B2B catering and canteen contracts (including the Kongsberg Town Hall canteen), contract packaging and logistics for industrial customers (e.g., Rentx, BO-MA plast, GKN Aerospace), firewood in 40-liter and 1000-liter bulk bags, gift baskets and charcuterie boards, and a consumer retail operation. The company is ISO 9001:2015 certified and was named Kongsberg Service Company of the Year in 2020.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid model: government-funded program reimbursement for rehabilitation services, direct sale of products and services to local businesses, retail sales through the ASVO-torget store and online channel, and event-based income from the annual KongsbergMarken tradition (which ASVO took over organizing in 2019). Distribution is split between direct B2B sales managed by a Markedsleder, physical retail at ASVO-torget, on-site service delivery at customer premises, and an e-commerce storefront. Marketing is primarily community- and referral-driven, anchored by local press coverage, Facebook, Instagram, and community events. The company has no proprietary technology platform and no AI/ML capabilities; competitive position rests on its regulated attføringsbedrift status, 35-year operating track record, and deep local partnership network in Kongsberg.

Name

ASVO-Kongsberg AS

Legal name

ASVO-Kongsberg AS

Website

https://asvokongsberg.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ASVO-Kongsberg AS is a municipal-owned Norwegian vocational rehabilitation enterprise providing supported employment and work training across catering, carpentry, transport, packaging, fruit delivery, shredding, firewood, and retail to people with reduced work capacity in Kongsberg.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Food Service Contractors (722310)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) (4210)

akta.pro primary industry

Statement of Work (SOW) / Project-Based Services Procurement Management (BPACAGAG)

Keywords

• Vocational rehabilitation services
• Inclusive employment programs
• Canteen catering services
• Document shredding services
• Secondhand retail store

Headquarters

HQ city

Kongsberg

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Products and services (internal production): ASVO-Kongsberg produces and sells a wide range of products including carpentry goods, textile profiling, firewood, pastries/cakes, fruit delivery, security shredding, and packaging/mounting services. Revenue is generated through direct sale of these products to local businesses and individuals.
2. Catering and canteen services: The company operates canteens (including at Kongsberg Town Hall) and provides catering for events and businesses. This is an ongoing service revenue stream.
3. ASVO-torget secondhand/recycling store: ASVO-torget is a large secondhand goods store that sells donated and recycled items to the public. This generates retail revenue and also provides work opportunities for participants.
4. Transport and logistics services: The company operates a transport department offering distribution and logistics services to local businesses.
5. Government funding (attføringsbedrift): As a publicly owned vocational rehabilitation enterprise (attføringsbedrift) owned by Kongsberg municipality, ASVO-Kongsberg receives public funding to support its social mission of providing work and training for people with reduced work capacity. The company organizes three government-funded programs: VTA (Varig Tilrettelagt Arbeid), AFT (Arbeidsforberedende Trening), and I Gang (for social assistance recipients).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ASVO-Kongsberg AS is a municipal vocational rehabilitation enterprise (attføringsbedrift) that operates multiple service departments — canteens and catering, carpentry workshop, transport/logistics, fruit delivery, packaging and assembly, document shredding, firewood production, a secondhand retail store (ASVO-torget), and media production — to deliver supported employment, work preparation training, and permanent sheltered work for people with reduced work capacity in Kongsberg, Norway.

Product overview

ASVO-Kongsberg AS is a vocational rehabilitation enterprise (attføringsbedrift) established in 1989, providing work integration services for people with reduced work capacity. The company operates as a single integrated organization with multiple departments offering both products and services. Core departments include: ASVO-torget (second-hand retail shop), Frukt (fruit delivery), Kantiner og Catering/Konditori (canteen, catering and bakery services), Pakke og montering (packaging and assembly), Service (document shredding), Transport, Snekkerverksted (carpentry), Vedavdelingen (firewood production), and ASVO-media (media production). Employment programs include VTA (permanent supported employment), AFT (work preparation training), and I Gang (youth employment program). Products include gift baskets, charcuterie boards, trash bin houses, Kongsberg clothing merchandise, and seasonal Christmas offerings. The company also organizes the annual KongsbergMarken market fair.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ASVO-torget: A secondhand/thrift retail store operated by ASVO-Kongsberg AS at Myntgata 14, Kongsberg, selling donated and recycled goods and providing work training opportunities.
• ASVO-media

Products and services

• Kantiner og Catering (Canteens and Catering) Canteen operations and full-service catering including homemade cakes, fresh pastries, and complete menus for events, conferences, businesses, and municipal clients. Includes on-site Kantine Rådhuset at Kongsberg Town Hall.
• ASVO-torget (Secondhand Store) A large second-hand/recycling shop at Myntgata 14, Kongsberg, providing work training opportunities through retail operations including sorting, pricing, cash register work, and customer service. Sells donated and recycled goods to the public.
• Konditori (Bakery) In-house bakery producing celebration cakes and baked goods for confirmations, birthdays, weddings, and events, featuring an in-house pastry chef.
• Frukt (Fruit Delivery) Fresh fruit delivery service providing baskets of fresh produce directly to workplaces and organizations around Kongsberg on a recurring basis.
• Pakke og montering (Packaging and Assembly) Packaging, assembly, chipping/ID-marking, and mounting services for business partners, providing flexible production capacity and sub-contracted work to local manufacturers and distributors (e.g., Rentx, BO-MA plast).
• Serviceavdelingen — Makulering (Document Shredding) Secure document shredding service (makulering) operating as the largest paper shredding service in Kongsberg, serving businesses and organizations with confidential document destruction needs.
• Transportavdelingen (Transport and Logistics) Transportation, courier, pickup, and delivery services for goods, including logistics operations and on-site distribution support for local businesses in Kongsberg.
• Snekkerverksted (Carpentry Workshop) Custom woodworking workshop producing carpentry products including pressure-impregnated trash bin houses (søppelkassehus) in multiple sizes and custom woodwork projects for businesses and consumers.
• Vedavdelingen (Firewood Department) Premium birch firewood (bjørkeved) production packed in handy 40-liter bags and 1000-liter big bags. Named Kongsberg Service Company of the Year 2020.
• ASVO-media Media production department producing content for the organization and providing media-related work training for participants.
• VTA (Varig Tilrettelagt Arbeid) Program Permanent supported employment program (government-funded via NAV) providing long-term workplace placement and individually adapted work for people with significantly reduced work capacity, typically disability pensioners.
• AFT (Arbeidsforberedende Trening) Program Work preparation training program (government-funded via NAV) helping participants prepare for and transition into ordinary employment through guidance, training, work trials, and external practice placements with local employers.
• I Gang Program Government-funded program for young social assistance recipients providing opportunities to build networks, participate in community-useful work tasks, and receive career guidance and job-application support.
• KongsbergMarken Annual Market Event Annual market fair held in week 9 each year in Kongsberg, organized by ASVO-Kongsberg since 2019, featuring various vendors, food stalls, and community activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100 people are connected to the company daily across VTA, AFT, and I Gang programs.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Rentx AScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 June 2021Rentx is a textile rental company (industri laundry) operating since 2000, serving municipalities, hotels, restaurants, and businesses across Eastern Norway. ASVO-Kongsberg performs chipping and ID-marking of over 40,000 textiles for Rentx, plus unpacking and repacking during relocation. This provides varied and meaningful work for VTA employees and AFT/I Gang participants. The partnership has been ongoing since autumn 2021 with strong mutual satisfaction.
• GKN AerospacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGKN Aerospace is a major aerospace manufacturer in Kongsberg. They provide work practice placements and have hired multiple ASVO participants as apprentices (e.g., Ole Jonas Lurdalen in dimension control through K-tech). GKN values ASVO's screening process and has a policy of giving people a chance regardless of CV gaps.
• Jobzone KongsbergcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJobzone Kongsberg is a staffing agency that works closely with ASVO-Kongsberg as a pipeline partner. Jobzone sources candidates from ASVO's AFT program, conducts interviews, and facilitates placements with their client companies. The collaboration has helped multiple ASVO participants find external employment.
• Borge Marketing AS (BO-MA plast)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBorge Marketing AS, established in 1985, is a manufacturer of injection-molded plastic products. Since the 1990s they have provided packing assignments to ASVO-Kongsberg, creating meaningful work for ASVO workers. Founder Augund Borge personally values the collaboration and visits ASVO regularly.
• Texans BurgerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTexans Burger is a local burger and pizza restaurant on Vestsiden in Kongsberg, operating since approximately 2018. They accepted an ASVO AFT participant (Erik Benum) for work practice, which resulted in regular employment. The restaurant values giving people a second chance.
• Kongsberg MaritimeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKongsberg Maritime is a world-leading maritime technology company. They hired Jonas Nerlien (an ASVO AFT participant) as a test technician on a fixed-term contract after an interview facilitated through Jobzone. Kongsberg Maritime emphasizes curiosity, motivation, and the right human qualities in hiring.
• KBS Selvvask & BilpleieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKBS Selvvask & Bilpleie is a local car wash and car care business in Kongsberg. They took in Martin Nordvang Sætaberget (an ASVO AFT participant) for practice, which resulted in a full-time hire. Martin now handles antirust treatment and the tire hotel.
• Kopisenteret KongsbergminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKopisenteret Kongsberg is a printing/copy center. Through collaboration with ASVO, a participant (Silje Karoline Vik Thoresen) completed a 2-year apprenticeship and became a fully qualified Profileringdesigner (profiling designer) at Kopisenteret. This is cited as a prime example of successful collaboration.
• UlefosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUlefos is an industrial manufacturing company. They provide external work practice placements for ASVO AFT participants to explore different career paths (e.g., Jonas Lurdalen did practice here before his GKN apprenticeship).
• Eiker VekstminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEiker Vekst is a vocational rehabilitation enterprise similar to ASVO-Kongsberg. Some ASVO participants do work practice at Eiker Vekst as part of their career exploration within the AFT program.
• K-techminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorK-tech is an apprenticeship coordinator that facilitated the formal apprenticeship arrangement for Ole Jonas Lurdalen at GKN Aerospace in the dimension control trade. K-tech works with ASVO to create formal learning pathways for participants.
• Tislegård BarnehageminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTislegård Barnehage is a kindergarten in Kongsberg that accepted Anne Sofie Skovsgaard Poulsen (an ASVO AFT participant) as a learning candidate. Through gradual adaptation and weekly follow-up, she transitioned to a permanent position with individually adapted work conditions.
• Glitre BofelleskapminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlitre Bofelleskap is a supported living community in Kongsberg. They provided work practice for an ASVO AFT participant who subsequently obtained an apprenticeship as a healthcare worker after being motivated by the placement.
• Intersport KongsbergminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIntersport Kongsberg sponsored prizes for a step-counting challenge at ASVO-Kongsberg. Roar Wessel from Intersport provided sports prizes for all employees who participated in the 15-million-step challenge.
• Kongsberg AgendaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKongsberg Agenda is an annual event/conference. ASVO-Kongsberg's I Gang team provided practical help including painting, and transporting pallets and plywood for decorations during Agenda days. ASVO also operated food stalls. This collaboration demonstrates ASVO's capability to deliver varied on-demand services.
• Kongsberg Kommune (Kongsberg Municipality)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASVO-Kongsberg AS is a wholly owned municipal company (aksjeselskap) of Kongsberg kommune. The municipality is the primary owner, funder through public contracts, and a major customer for services such as canteen operations. The relationship is foundational to ASVO's existence and social mission.
• NAV KongsbergcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAV Kongsberg is the public employment service that refers participants to ASVO-Kongsberg's three programs (VTA, AFT, and I Gang). NAV sets requirements and specifications for these programs and monitors ASVO's performance in delivering vocational rehabilitation outcomes.
• Gruveåsen dugnadsgjeng (mine hill voluntary group)minorOthersA voluntary group working to preserve cultural heritage in Kongsberg's mine hill. ASVO-Kongsberg created a clothing collection (hoodies, t-shirts) with a support message, with proceeds going to the group. ASVO donated 8,000 NOK from clothing sales to the group.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Stendi AS: Larger Norwegian welfare and care services provider operating across personal assistance, home care, and supported employment — broader-portfolio incumbent in the same inclusive welfare space as ASVO.
• Attendo AB: Nordic care and social services group operating across Sweden, Norway, and Finland with overlapping inclusion and rehabilitation services — broader incumbent in the social services space where ASVO operates.
• Humana AB: Swedish-listed social enterprise providing individual and family, elderly, and personal assistance services across the Nordics — operates in adjacent welfare and inclusion segments with comparable social-mission positioning.

Direct peers

• Orgservice AS: Norwegian welfare staffing and rehabilitation services provider working with NAV on vocational rehabilitation and inclusive employment — comparable to ASVO's NAV-contracted program operations.
• ASVO Tromsø: Sibling Norwegian attføringsbedrift under the broader ASVO network, operating the same multi-department social enterprise model in northern Norway — directly comparable to ASVO-Kongsberg's structure and program mix.
• Samhall AB: Swedish state-owned vocational rehabilitation company that provides work opportunities for people with disabilities — the direct Nordic counterpart to ASVO-Kongsberg's attføringsbedrift model, with multi-department commercial operations and government-funded participant programs.
• Eiker Vekst: Norwegian vocational rehabilitation enterprise (attføringsbedrift) explicitly cited in ASVO-Kongsberg's own data as a partner for AFT work practice placements; operates an analogous multi-service social enterprise model in the greater Kongsberg/Drammen region.
• Ren Røros: Norwegian social enterprise operating multi-service production departments (cleaning, laundry, packaging, catering) staffed by participants in vocational rehabilitation programs — a closely comparable operating model to ASVO-Kongsberg.
• Avigo AS: Norwegian social enterprise providing work training and inclusive employment across multiple production departments — directly comparable to ASVO's attføringsbedrift model with similar NAV-contracted vocational rehabilitation programs.

Others

• Jobzone Kongsberg: Local staffing agency cited as a core Jobzone partner that places ASVO participants with external employers — a tightly-coupled ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor, but comparable in its NAV-aligned staffing activity.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/asvokongsbergas
• Instagraminstagram.com/asvokongsberg.no
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/asvo-kongsberg-as

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ASVO-Kongsberg AS