When Randi and Svein Augensen took over the family business in 1979, neither of them had any background in the copper industry. She was a biomedical laboratory scientist, and he was an electrician. Even so, the decision was easy when they were offered the opportunity to take over Røros Metallindustri AS. They wanted to move back to Røros, raise their children there, and continue to grow the family business.
“We had no qualifications to do this on our own. We invested in further education to prepare ourselves for our new roles, and we worked side by side to develop both the company and its vision,” Randi recalls. “Close collaboration, love, and a strong sense of togetherness made it possible.”
Their roles evolved naturally—without impressive job titles and with a willingness to take on whatever needed to be done. Svein travelled throughout Norway, building the market, while Randi kept the factory at Røros running. Together they complemented one another. They packed products, painted components, shipped goods, and helped develop both production processes and new business areas. The company became a way of life rather than simply a place to work.
Having Randi’s parents, Else and Anton Løkken, close by was also a great source of security. They followed the company’s development closely, offering both practical support and the freedom to make their own decisions.
“My father was a sensible man who gave us his complete trust when we took over. He always said, ‘You don’t learn from other people’s mistakes—you have to make your own.’ That trust meant everything to us, and it’s the same trust I’ve tried to pass on to the next generation, when Håvard took over in 2015.”
The Turning Point
Over the years, adapting to change became a natural part of everyday business. One defining moment came in the early 1980s.
“When a Swedish cabin owner walked into the factory asking for a ‘kåpa till spisen’ (a cooker hood), we entered a completely new era. That single enquiry opened the door to an entirely new market and marked the beginning of RørosHetta as a brand.”
Svein contacted Husqvarna, one of Norway’s leading suppliers of home appliances and ventilation systems at the time, and together they built a partnership that eventually brought much of the Norwegian kitchen industry to Røros.
Together with Husqvarna and Electrolux, they invited executives from companies including Sivesind, Huseby, Sigdal, and Norema to Røros Hotell, where they created an exhibition showcasing bold colours and display models to launch a completely new concept: custom-made kitchen hoods.
For Randi and Svein, this marked the beginning of a new era in which relationships became just as important as the products themselves.
“We built lasting friendships with many of the people who visited Røros. Many of them are still close friends today. It’s been wonderful to see those relationships grow over so many years.”
Growth Alongside the Kitchen Industry
As the kitchen industry gradually consolidated through major players such as Nobia, the merger of Sigdal, the acquisition of Norema, and the consolidation of Drømmekjøkkenet, Røros Metall once again chose to adapt to changing market conditions. Randi travelled alone to Stockholm to negotiate with Nobia’s executive management.
Her approach was remarkably simple:
“Just be yourself. Be kind, honest, and dependable. People need to know they can trust you and what you say. It really is not more complicated than that.”
Behind those modest words, however, was a clear strategy. She learned every detail of her customers’ products, studied their catalogues cover to cover, and made sure she understood how kitchen designs were evolving. At the same time, she actively involved customers in product development.
“We stayed in close dialogue with our customers. We asked what they were missing, what suited their kitchen ranges, and used their feedback to keep improving and adapting our product portfolio to meet both their needs and the needs of their customers.”
She believes that this close relationship with customers has always been one of the company’s greatest strengths.
“We’ve always been honest, and we’ve built our business on trust. I believe our customers have truly appreciated that.”
People First
Customers were important, but the people within the company mattered just as much. For Randi, leadership was about seeing the whole person. She naturally knew every employee by name, along with their spouses and children, and even today she keeps up with the lives of the people who work at Røros Metall. She wanted everyone to feel safe, valued, and genuinely happy at work.
“Have fun, bring humour into the workplace, and make sure everyone feels seen and cared for. We’ve always placed great emphasis on creating a safe working environment and helping our employees grow, both personally and professionally.”
The company was an early adopter of systematic work on health and safety, ergonomics, and occupational healthcare. Production processes that posed health risks were either redesigned or discontinued, even when doing so came at a significant cost. Protecting employees’ health always came first. At the same time, the family believed in creating shared experiences for employees and customers alike through training programmes, company trips, and events that strengthened relationships and fostered a strong sense of community.
But not every decision was easy. Randi recalls the closure of the company’s cold-corner production line as one of the most difficult.
Six employees had to be let go after new regulations prohibited the use of the refrigeration unit required for the product, and the production equipment was dismantled and removed. When the regulations were later changed and the unit was once again permitted, it was already too late.
“That decision was incredibly sad and difficult.”
Looking Ahead
When Svein retired in 2010, Randi continued to lead the company on her own. The biggest difference, she says, was simply that discussions about the business now took place around the dinner table rather than in the office.
When Håvard Augensen became CEO in 2015, she was determined to give him the same freedom that she and Svein had been given.
“I don’t want to be looking over his shoulder all the time. People need the trust and freedom to lead in their own way.”
Although she still speaks up when she has an opinion, she has always been careful not to stand in the way of the next generation. When asked what has enabled Røros Metall to remain a successful company for more than eight decades, her answer comes without hesitation:
The ability to adapt.
“We’ve never been afraid to try something new—but we’ve never been afraid to let go of something that wasn’t working either. If we realised we were heading in the wrong direction, we changed course quickly instead of continuing down the same path.”
Yet she always returns to the same core values: respect, honesty, and trust.
“You have to be someone people can rely on. Your word has to mean something.”
Today, she looks to the future with optimism. She believes that becoming part of the Franke Group through the 2026 acquisition opens up exciting new opportunities, while hoping that the identity and heritage of both Røros Metall and RørosHetta will continue to be preserved and strengthened.
For Randi, the company’s 80th anniversary marks a lifetime with Røros Metall.
“This has been a way of life. For Svein and me, it wasn’t just a business—it was our life. So many talented people have contributed over the years to make this celebration possible, and I have enormous respect for every single one of them.”
Perhaps that is the best way to describe Randi’s story at Røros Metall. Not primarily as a career, but as a life devoted to people, collaboration, trust, and a constant willingness to grow and evolve.
