Innovation goes to innovation
Published: 15.01.2013
Omega was awarded Rogaland's Innovation Prize at the Sola conference.
By Einar Tho
About
- The Sola Meeting is an annual conference for business leaders, politicians and public administration organized by NHO, KS, Rogaland County and the Business Association in the Stavanger region. Among the attendees at Monday’s meeting were Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg and NHO Director Kristin Skogen Lund.
- The Research and Innovation Prize is awarded by the Rogaland Research and Innovation Fund, established by the International Research Institute of Rogaland, NHO Rogaland og Rogaland County.
- Omega is a consultant company with its head office in Ølensvåg. Many clients are from the oil industry.
VINDAFJORD: After dinner, the celebration speech and dessert, Mayor of Rogaland County, Janne Johnsen, awarded the prize to Chairman Sigmund Linde and CEO Petter Aalvik at Sola, on Monday night.
What does it mean to you to receive the innovation award?
"It feels very good, and it was a great experience. This is motivating for the entire company,” Lunde said the morning after – already back at work.
"Besides, we have never focussed on marketing. It is positive that others help us in that way. Therefore, the award is of great value to us,” Lunde adds.
The jury’s reasoning for the award is based on the fact that Lunde, and the others in Omega, have built the company from nothing, brick by brick, and run it with a solid economy. Now, they are an international company with more than 1000 employees.
Innovation in the company is characterized as employee-driven.
"I think that is right. There is a lot of innovation happening all the time, from a lot people”.
The Research and Innovation Prize is awarded by Rogaland's Research and Innovation Fund, established by NHO Rogaland, Rogaland County and IRIS - The International Research Institute of Stavanger.
The award is a diploma and NOK 100 000. Lunde already has a plan for the prize money.
"We are about to establish a business development community for the Vindafjord municipality in Ølensvåg. This money will provide additional initial capital,” Lunde says.
The business development community is established in cooperation with other companies in Vindafjord. The group already has facilities, now it’s time to look for a couple employees.