25 years of roof Passion
Bjørn grew up in Frogner, Oslo, and as a child he spent countless hours on the neighbourhood rooftops, where open access allowed him and his friends to explore this usually inaccessible world. This early fascination gave him a unique perspective on buildings and laid the foundation for a lifelong passion for roofs and construction.
Bjørn began his career as a copper and sheet-metal worker, earning both his trade certificate and completing technical college with master craftsman qualifications. He worked as a foreman in one of the Nordic region’s largest sheet-metal companies, gaining experience on major projects in both Norway and Sweden.
“I gained practical experience with large projects early in my career, and that became invaluable later,” he says.
When the construction industry faced a downturn in the 1980s, he chose to further his education. Over time, he completed both commercial and more technical studies, building broad interdisciplinary expertise in construction and project management.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Bjørn established two companies: first Karlsen & Nordseth, a large sheet-metal firm, and later a smaller company focused on the restoration of heritage buildings. He found that he enjoyed running a smaller company more than a large one, as it gave him valuable hands-on experience with project management, employees, and customers.
In 2001, Bjørn joined Protan as a Technical Consultant. He worked closely with architects and consulting engineers in both Norway and across Europe, and took part in project trips to destinations including Valencia, Berlin and Amsterdam. These experiences provided him with unique insight into international construction processes and helped him build a strong professional network.
Over the years, Bjørn has built a strong international team for concept and specification development at Protan. The team consists of experts with extensive experience in roofing, engineering disciplines, and complex projects. “With more than 100 years of combined experience, we can offer solutions that very few others have the expertise to deliver,” emphasizes Bjørn.
An example of this expertise is Protan Entreprenør Stavanger’s work on the new Stavanger University Hospital (SUS) View reference project here. Here, the team designed solutions incorporating both Titanium Plus and Sedum. One of Bjørn’s specialists spent several hundred hours on detailed design work alone. “These are solutions that no other roofing Manufacturer in Europe can offer,” he says.
Today, Bjørn leads the Concept and Specification Development department, which coordinates design processes across countries and markets to ensure innovative and functional roofing solutions. “There are a wide range of tasks, often happening in the background, but incredibly exciting and rewarding,” he concludes.
With more than 100 years of combined experience, we can offer solutions that very few others have the expertise to deliver.
