NorwayQuick Facts
Overview
Orkla ASA is one of Norway's largest and oldest companies, with roots stretching back to 1654 when pyrite mining began at Løkken Verk in Sør-Trøndelag. What started as a mining operation has transformed over 370 years into a leading industrial investment company focused on branded consumer goods. The company was incorporated as Orkla Grube-Aktiebolag in 1904 by Christian Thams, listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange in 1929, and has since evolved through multiple strategic transformations.
Today, Orkla's portfolio spans ten market-leading companies across food, snacks, confectionery, health and personal care, food ingredients, and paints & coatings. Its brands reach consumers in over 100 countries, with 60% of revenue generated in the Nordic region. The company operates 114 production facilities across 38 countries. In 2024, Orkla restructured as an industrial investment company, applying flexible ownership models to strengthen its portfolio companies.
Orkla's largest shareholder is Canica AS, the family holding company of Norwegian billionaire Stein Erik Hagen, who controls 25.1% of shares and serves as chairman of the board. Orkla also holds a strategic 42.7% stake in Jotun, one of the world's leading paint and coatings manufacturers. In 2025, Orkla India was separately listed on Indian stock exchanges.
Stock Listings
| Exchange | Ticker | Currency | ISIN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oslo Stock Exchange (Euronext Oslo) | ORK | NOK | NO0003733800 |
| OTC Markets (ADR) | ORKLY | USD | — |
Major Shareholders
Top 20 shareholders as of 30 September 2024. Approximately 49% of shares are held by foreign investors.
| Rank | Shareholder | % | Type | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canica AS (Stein Erik Hagen) | 25.1% | Family Holding |  Norway |
| 2 |  Folketrygdfondet | 8.1% | Government Pension Fund | Norway |
| 3 |  Mawer Investment Management | 5.0% | Asset Manager |  Canada |
| 4 | First Eagle Investment Management | 4.2% | Asset Manager |  USA |
| 5 |  The Vanguard Group | 3.1% | Asset Manager | USA |
| 6 | BlackRock Institutional Trust | 2.4% | Asset Manager | USA |
| 7 | Nordea Funds Oy | 2.2% | Asset Manager |  Finland |
| 8 | KLP Fondsforvaltning AS | 2.1% | Pension Fund | Norway |
| 9 | DNB Asset Management AS | 1.9% | Asset Manager | Norway |
| 10 | Storebrand Kapitalforvaltning | 1.8% | Asset Manager | Norway |
| 11 | BlackRock Advisors (UK) | 1.1% | Asset Manager |  UK |
| 12 | State Street Global Advisors | 1.1% | Asset Manager | USA |
| 13 | Alfred Berg Kapitalforvaltning | 1.0% | Asset Manager | Norway |
| 14 | Geode Capital Management | 1.0% | Asset Manager | USA |
| 15 | Handelsbanken Kapitalförvaltning | 0.9% | Asset Manager |  Sweden |
Also: Amundi (0.8%, France), LSV Asset Management (0.8%, USA), Legal & General (0.8%, UK), Pareto (0.8%, Norway), Deka Investment (0.7%, Germany). Total top 20: ~63.2% of shares outstanding.
Brands & Portfolio Companies
Orkla Foods
Orkla Confectionery & Snacks
Orkla Health
Orkla India
Other Portfolio Companies
Ownership Structure
Orkla follows a 'one share – one vote' principle. The remaining ~75% of shares are widely held by Norwegian and international institutional investors, pension funds, and retail investors. Approximately 49% of total shares are held by foreign investors.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources
- Orkla ASA — About Us (accessed 10 March 2026)
- Orkla ASA — Portfolio Companies (accessed 10 March 2026)
- Orkla ASA — Ownership / Shareholders (accessed 10 March 2026)
- Orkla ASA — Top 20 Shareholders (30 Sep 2024) (accessed 10 March 2026)
- Orkla ASA — Annual Report 2024 Press Release (accessed 10 March 2026)
- MarketScreener — Orkla Shareholders (accessed 10 March 2026)
- Wikipedia — Orkla ASA (accessed 10 March 2026)
- Grokipedia — Orkla ASA (accessed 10 March 2026)
- MacroTrends — Orkla Number of Employees (accessed 10 March 2026)
- Wikipedia — Stein Erik Hagen (accessed 10 March 2026)