Orkla Health Closes Flisa Factory, 39 Jobs Lost

Orkla Health will shut down its manufacturing plant in Flisa, Norway. The company announced the decision in a Wednesday press release. The factory currently produces around one billion wooden toothpicks annually. It also manufactures wet wipes and components for Lypsyl lip care products. The closure affects 39 employees according to local reports. Flisa is a small town in eastern Norway's Innlandet county. The factory has been a significant local employer in the rural community. Production will be phased out gradually over the coming months. Orkla Health stated the decision resulted from restructuring needs. The company will focus on more profitable product lines moving forward. This marks another manufacturing departure from Norway's smaller towns. Local officials expressed concern about the economic impact. They noted limited job alternatives exist in the immediate area. The closure reflects broader challenges facing Nordic manufacturing. Companies increasingly consolidate operations in larger urban centers. What will happen to the factory building remains unclear. Orkla Health operates multiple production facilities across Scandinavia.