Our Story
Creativity, proximity, and execution – from the very beginning
The story of Pla-Mek® begins in 1991, when Oddmund Bjørdal took over machinery and buildings from the existing company Langlo Mekaniske, owned and operated by Svein Langlo. Prior to the takeover, Oddmund worked for Svein, who then retired, and it seemed natural for Oddmund to take over the operation. Injection molding was new and exciting, and the company already had a range of products with several customers, including Ekornes and Vik Ørsta (Ørsta Stålindustri) – relationships that are still strong today. Both Vik Ørsta and Ekornes are still among our largest customers. Oddmund had a burning desire to create something. He never talked about "entrepreneurial spirit" – he just called it finding solutions. Where others saw challenges, he saw opportunities. This mindset is still at the core of who we are and how we work.
From mechanical craftsmanship to technological precision
In 1992, Pla-Mek was established as a limited company. The owners were Oddmund Bjørdal, Sveinung Ørjasæter, Sverre Hjelle, Odd Engeset and Svein Langlo. Oddmund and Sverre Hjelle were the first employees. Sverre, with long experience as a toolmaker, and Sveinung Ørjasæter who took responsibility for the finances, in addition to his permanent job. The first years were about building stone by stone, both literally and figuratively. It was about effort, closeness and the ability to execute – values that still characterize Pla-Mek today.
A technological leap—built on the same values
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, we grew—in capacity, expertise, and customer relationships. We invested in advanced machinery, built a new factory, and expanded production across multiple locations. But we never changed our core: understanding customer needs and finding the best solution—both creatively and economically. As technology evolved, so did we. We introduced robotics, automated production, and built modern production cells. Quietly, we also took steps toward becoming a more sustainable manufacturer—through internal recycling of plastic waste and early adoption of recycled materials.
A home for problem solvers and implementers
The spirit of Oddmund lives on in our walls. At Pla-Mek, you won’t just find machines—you’ll find people who care. Who think differently. Who work closely with customers. People who do what’s needed—and do it right. Today, our technologically advanced production company is one of Norway’s most modern in plastic injection moulding, with a high degree of automation and technical expertise. But what truly sets us apart is our closeness to the customer and our ability to find smart, creative solutions together. We’ve moved from mechanical to technological—but we’ve never lost the human touch.
See how our journey has evolved – step by step
We’ve grown from a solid manufacturer to a trusted partner. The timeline below shows how we’ve developed through technical expertise, experience, and a commitment to finding the right solutions together.
Timeline
1991
Oddmund Bjørdal establishes a sole proprietorship and acquires the building and machinery from Langlo Mekaniske. Production begins using equipment from the 1960s.
1992
Pla-Mek AS is founded as a limited company by Oddmund Bjørdal, Sverre Hjelle, Sveinung Ørjasæter, Odd Engeset, and Svein Langlo. Investments are made in machinery. The company has two employees.
1995
The first new injection molding machine is purchased, and the company transitions to more computer-controlled production. The team grows to four employees.
1997-1998
The existing factory is expanded, and a new facility is completed on May 1, 1998. The company begins using recycled plastic. Five employees.
1998-2000
The machinery park is expanded with three new machines of various sizes, including a 2K machine. Six employees.
2001
A new factory building is established in Opshaugvik. Production capacity increases with five new machines, three of which support multi-component moulding. Eight employees.
2004
Pla-Mek® acquires 50% of Tretten Formplast AS, establishing a presence in Eastern Norway. This strategic partnership opens new markets and strengthens production capacity. The collaboration enhances knowledge sharing and enables closer customer follow-up in the region. 14 employees.
2006
Pla-Mek® acquires full ownership of Tretten Formplast AS and renames it Pla-Mek Tretten AS. Production continues at Tretten until autumn 2011.
2011
All production is consolidated and relocated from Tretten to Stranda.
2014-2015
A new factory building is purchased in Sykkylven, and all production is centralized there. Investments are made in modern production cells and an extrusion machine. The official opening takes place in June 2015.
