"We had to make some tough priorities," says John Vester Nielsen, lightly running his hand over a Pig Receiver that is under repair inside the workshop at Øyesletta.

As Head of Production, Nielsen was handed a monumental challenge when the government decided to shut down the country on 12 March this year. Strict infection control measures were introduced throughout Norway, which for Halvorsen meant that the entire administration was sent to work from home indefinitely.

MEN DE MEKANISKE The work could obviously not be carried out from home. And even though some assignments were put on hold, there were several jobs that had to be finished. The management therefore chose to keep five men in the workshop, plus the workshop manager himself.

"With reduced staffing, we had to prioritise the projects that were most urgent," says Nielsen.

Among those who have welded their way through the entire corona period is the Pole Rafal Michalek.

– It hasn't been that different. The tasks have been the same. And because there have been so few of us at work, it has been easy to keep distance from others, says Michalek.

After a few weeks There was a rush of urgent assignments and a number of small jobs. The authorities eased the restrictions, and Nielsen was able to increase staffing again.

– The problem then was that many were in quarantine. We actually had to hire staff through an agency for a period, he explains.

All the permanent workshop employees are now back at work. In fact, activity is so high that the company will be increasing its staff from August with two welders and one apprentice who will become an industrial mechanic.

ALso THE ADMINISTRATION been forced to work in a different way.

– The corona situation really put us to the test. We were forced to think differently about most things, says Bjørn Helleren.

The Head of Sales and Marketing moves some papers and smiles. Laughter can be heard from the neighbouring office. After weeks and months of a state of emergency, things are finally beginning to return to normal in the administration building – which is a stone's throw from the workshop.

– I MYSELF been in the office every day since the restrictions came into effect. At first, I was completely alone here. Gradually, the rest of the core staff arrived. But we have been extremely careful the whole time, Helleren points out.

He states that each man has worked in isolation from his office. And the infection control measures have been meticulously followed at all times.

– Usually, we travel around and meet customers. But when customers are working from home, it becomes difficult to meet them in person, says Helleren.

Fortunately, knowing He and the others in sales and marketing, many having worked in the industry for a long time.

– Without good networks, we could have just thrown in the towel. With people you know, it's possible to have good video meetings, says Helleren.

The oil price collapse also caused a number of projects to be completely halted.

– We've had to change our focus and look for jobs elsewhere, says Helleren.

Furthermore, along with the rest of the management, he had to manage travel arrangements for staff on maintenance assignments.

– IT IS NOT "It's simple when flight routes are cancelled and hotels are closed," says Helleren, who is seeing success in sales efforts during the coronavirus crisis.

– We must remember that this is not over. Many of the restrictions still apply. But with a view to future jobs, I am optimistic, says Helleren.