1993 - The early years
In 1993, after many years in ABB, a visionary young engineer, Kåre Høglund, recognizes market possibilities in developing fully integrated automation technology, and starts up his own company: Høglund Marine Automation AS. The company is to make own automation, monitoring and control software fitted onto ABB standard hardware.
The beginning is bumpy. Well assisted by another ABB veteran, Geir Moholt, the aspiring founder struggles to introduce the early Høglund-developed software to the shipping and offshore market.
2004 - First big contract
The first big contract is won no sooner than in 2004. The company now consists of 6 engineers and programmers and is located in Norway's oldest town, Tønsberg. From then on, it is a stellar journey. Helped by good references and happy customers, the company is commissioned to deliver solutions to newbuildings and retrofits around the world. To improve our service level, a new office is established in Romania in 2014.
Høglund grows and starts to realize own important role as contributor to a more environmentally-friendly shipping. The integrated automation system contains a sea of valuable operational and emissions data, which can be used by shipowners and crew to make informed decisions. There is also a requirement to report this data to the authorities. With this in mind, Høglund Digital Solutions is set up, to further develop our digital Cloud platform.
2017- Høglund Gas Solutions
Høglund Gas Solutions is founded in 2017. The business stream focuses on environmentally safe Fuel Gas Supply Systems and Cargo Handling Systems for LNG as low-emission fuel. Several large orders were won in the first few years handled by the team located in Norway, Germany and India. However, the difficult market situation followed by the war in Ukraine impacted all projects and unsettled the financial results. Consequently, the company had to cease operations in October 2022. After a restructuring period, agreement were found, all clients served and supported to complete the product deliveries and vessel commission.
2023 - The Eitzen Group
The Eitzen group become new majority owners in January 2023, with a clear vision for the company moving forward, resting on its strong product portfolio, unique competence and well-known and respected brand name.
2024 - Present
The Høglund of today has systems on more than 600 vessels worldwide, and 84 employees in 4 countries:
- 70 employees are located at our headquarters in Tønsberg, Norway
- 8 engineers and service engineers work from Høglund office in Galati, Romania
- 4 engineers and service engineers are located in Wuhan, China
- 2 engineers belong to our Høglund Poland office in Gdynia
We are where we are because of who we are: true mariners, passionate about what we do and proud to be Høglunders!