From international tunnels to Arctic mining, LNS Group drives high-profile projects across continents
Built on three generations of engineering excellence, LNS Group is now a leading contractor in the infrastructure, hydropower and mining sectors, with expertise in tunnelling, mass relocation, rock caverns, concrete structures and core drilling.
Founded in 1961 by father-and-son Leonhard and Malvin Nilsen, the company came from humble beginnings. While Leonhard was a fisherman, Malvin was a mechanic, and the first machinery they worked on was a lorry with an excavator at the back. Current Chief Executive Officer, Frode Nilsen, grew up immersed in his father and grandfather’s company. Alongside hands-on experience, he absorbed their family-oriented approach to business. Since taking the helm, he has carried the mantle forward and guided LNS Group to international success. Under Frode’s leadership, LNS Group has developed into a technology-driven enterprise spanning continents and delivering complex projects.
Specialist services
In recent decades, LNS Group has diversified its offerings, providing a wider range of services to clients worldwide. As Frode explains, the business is active in infrastructure projects spanning road and rail tunnels, land-based fish farms and mass relocation, alongside concrete and hydropower work including dams, tunnels and underground power stations.
“On the other side of the business, we work with clients in the mining industry. We provide specialist services with enough diversification to maintain steady growth and long-term success. This combination of deep industry knowledge and sector partnerships has been central to the longevity of LNS Group,” he states.
In-house expertise
Thanks to a history of strategic acquisitions, there are now 22 companies operating under the group’s umbrella. This international footprint has strengthened the company’s capabilities, as Frode notes: “The group has around 900 employees, in a variety of locations. One of our furthest-reaching operations is LNS Spitsbergen, located on Svalbard archipelago, where we’ve been active for more than 25 years.
“Operating in remote and demanding conditions, like the Arctic and polar regions, has allowed us to develop deep in-house expertise. We’re highly specialized in demanding assignments where logistics are difficult.
“We currently have active projects across the Norwegian mainland, the Svalbard archipelago and Iceland. We are also involved in project development in Shetland and Antarctica. This global presence allows us to offer informed, local insights while drawing on international resources and knowledge.”
That depth of international experience is perhaps best illustrated by the company’s most celebrated project, as Frode explains: “We have worked on many projects over the years, each of which was special in its own way, but our most famous project was the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, a secure backup facility for the world’s crop diversity.” Bored into the side of a mountain, the 150-metre-deep vault was selected for its stability and permafrost.
“We worked on almost every aspect of the site from beginning to end – delivering specialist services and expert insights that ensured construction went smoothly,” adds Frode. “Our teams oversaw the excavation of tunnels in the rock caverns, as well as all the internal building construction and system planning. It was a turnkey project for us, which meant a lot of responsibility. But the work was a great success, and it helped us gain a lot of recognition throughout the industry as a result.”
Entering new markets
That industry recognition has opened doors, and LNS Group is now channeling its expertise into an exciting new venture. As Frode explains: “We’ve recently been chosen for the next phase of work for the Shetland Fixed Links project. The conditions there are very similar to those in the Faroe Islands, where we have years of experience, so we’re well-positioned for the task at hand.” The Shetland Fixed Links project aims to replace inter-island ferry services with subsea tunnels to improve transport sustainability. LNS brings significant international experience in major tunnelling and infrastructure projects to the initiative. “Shetland is a promising new market, and our role is to make it more accessible while delivering top-quality results. We’re excited to take on the challenge,” he adds.
With its unmatched reputation throughout Europe and South-East Asia, LNS Group now looks to strengthen its presence in the Northern Atlantic region. “The Shetland Island project is part of our long-term mission to begin working in this area. There’s a lot of competition, and we remain attentive to our clients in the Nordic regions, including the Faroe Islands and Iceland, with the goal of further expansion down the line,” Frode explains.
This strategic growth is underpinned by LNS Group’s technical expertise. As one of the few companies capable of delivering integrated drilling and blast cycling services, the company is uniquely positioned to provide added value to its clients.
“What makes our approach to tunnelling unique internationally is the fact that our organisations have a flat hierarchy. So, while we have fewer workers, they are all multi skilled – resulting in more effective production. We are also at the forefront in development of new methods and utilising new technology,” Frode notes.
Continuing its six-decade legacy of success, LNS Group takes on new challenges, underpinned by industry-leading technical expertise and global experience. Looking ahead, Frode reflects on the company’s future: “We aim to maintain our focus on the mining industry while expanding our presence in key regions. Our goal is to be an international enterprise with the attentiveness, resources, and targeted approach of a local business. We want to deepen our understanding of the environment, resources, minerals, and materials in each region where LNS Group operates,” he concludes.