From 1839 to the present

Rieber & Søn has been run by the Rieber family in Bergen since 1839. For nearly two hundred years, the company has served as a trading house, an industrial group, a publicly traded corporation, and now an investment firm.

1817
The Dramatic Beginning
The emigration ship “De Zee Ploeg” was shipwrecked north of Bergen. On board were families bound for America, and several of them remained in Western Norway, including the Rieber family.
1839
P.G. Rieber was founded
Paul Gottlieb Rieber founded the trading company P.G. Rieber in Bergen, which at the time was the country's most important trading city and the link between Western Norway and Europe.
1945
An industrial group is emerging
The trading company gradually evolved into an industrial group, and the company shifted from trading to manufacturing its own products.
1987
Merger and Initial Public Offering
Following a merger, the company was listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. In the years that followed, the group grew significantly, from revenue of 1.4 billion kroner in 1986 to 7.7 billion and approximately thirty companies in 1999.
1990
Investment Activities
Active investment activities with a primary focus on the Oslo Stock Exchange, venture investments, and shipping, with a particular emphasis on handysize bulk carriers.
2000
Focus on Food
The group was streamlined, and non-core businesses were sold off. Rieber & Søn became a pure-play food group with a presence in several European markets.
2012
Orkla Acquires Rieber & Søn
Orkla ASA acquired the food group for 6.1 billion kroner. The family believed this was the right strategic move for the business, and the sale also freed up capital for new ventures.
2013
Technology and software are becoming a new focus area
Following the sale to Orkla, the portfolio is being built up with investments primarily in unlisted companies, securities, and shipping. Technology and software will be a new area of focus.
2014
Shipping
Investments are being made in seven chemical tankers, and a portfolio of chemical tankers is being built up.
2015
Establishing a Business in Singapore
A separate investment unit was established in Singapore, with a local team and its own portfolio.
2016
Credit and Insurance
The portfolio is expanding to include credit and insurance, with Eiendomskreditt and Watercircles Forsikring
2022
Reduced shipping portfolio
Four of the seven chemical tankers are sold, while a 20 percent ownership stake is retained in each vessel. A fifth vessel is lost as a result of the war in Ukraine, and the shipping portfolio is significantly reduced.
2024
Increased Focus on Insurance
Acquisition of the Swedish insurance company Accept Försäkring and a subsequent increase in the ownership stake in WaterCircles. As a result, insurance now accounts for a larger portion of the company's investment portfolio.