Innovation Prize 2012 to Omega AS

Published: 14.01.2013

Omega is awarded Rogaland’s Research and Innovation prize 2012. Omega Founder, Sigmund Lunde, and CEO, Petter Aalvik, accepted the award at a packed industry conference at Sola on Monday evening.

«Characteristics that are often found in successful companies include commitment, trust, confidence, cooperation, pride, tolerance, development, autonomy and transparency, and that these terms are actually put into practice, not just reserved for speeches. There are few companies that can claim to check off all of these nine characteristics, but the majority are in place for this year's winning company,» suggested Janne Johnsen from the stage, before handing this year's Innovation Award to Sigmund Lunde and Petter Aalvik.

Employee-driven innovation

The award is handed out by Rogaland’s Research and Innovation Fund and chosen by a jury based on suggestions from industry and research communities in the region. The winner is selected based on competence, innovation, regional development and research-based development of the organization or its products.

According to the jury, Omega, from its headquarters on the outskirts of the Rogaland region, excels in these areas.

«In Rogaland, we have a great variety of organizations whose company profiles would position them as strong candidates for a prize like this,» pointed out Johnsen.

«The jury has taken into consideration the fact that the winner is a strong exponent of employee-driven innovation - a corporate culture based on research-based knowledge of what often characterizes innovative businesses. Employee-driven innovation means new products, processes or services that are brought about through open and inclusive processes, based on the systematic application of employee ideas, knowledge and experience, designed to elevate the business’ overall level of innovation", he explained.

"And it really is the Omega employees we need to thank for this award,” Aalvik pointed out in his acceptance speech.

“It is the quality of the work you do every day and the ideas that you contribute that have made this possible. Of course, we would also like to thank our clients, who allow us to take part in their exciting challenges,” said Aalvik from the stage of the Solamøtet banquet.

The annual business conference at Sola, outside Stavanger, was hosted by NHO and brought together politicians and business leaders from around the region. While Prime Minister, Jens Stoltenberg, opened the conference on Monday morning, it was Omega that was the guest of honor at Monday evening’s celebratory dinner.

Aalvik also took the opportunity to emphasize the strategy behind the “Omega adventure” that has proved a prerequisite for success.

“Founders, Sigmund Lunde and his brother Tor Erling Lunde, are still running our company with passion and innovation after 25 years. The board of Omega has stood behind the Omega strategy for many years, and our Management Team turns ideas and innovation into solid day-to-day business,” said Aalvik.

On to the national finals

This is the 11th time the prize is awarded, and as the regional winner, Omega will now go on to the national finals in August.

- The jury’s choice took into account the winner’s potential at the national finals. Omega has, for the most part, grown organically and this is an organization that is characterized by commitment and skilled workers,» said Johnsen, who presented the award on behalf of the jury, consisting of representatives from Rogaland Research and Innovation Fund’s three owners: Terje Halleland of Rogaland county, Hallvard Ween from NHO, and Christian Quale from IRIS, with the latter as leader.

The criteria for the national award are:

• The company must have proven its viability and show positive results
• The company must be based on innovation
• The company must be future-oriented and demonstrate the ability to put new ideas into practice
• The company should be a role model for youth