One of Norway’s most automated furniture factories falls silent. Machinery gets a second life.
Vigrestad, Norway, 20 August 2026 – One of Norway’s most highly automated furniture production lines is entering the international market. Haugstad Fabrikker in Vigrestad invested heavily in automation, robotics and digitalisation to keep furniture and kitchen production in Norway competitive and future-proof. Following the company’s bankruptcy in April, the machinery acquired as part of that transformation now has the opportunity to continue producing elsewhere.
From traditional furniture manufacturer to Industry 4.0
Haugstad’s history in the furniture industry dates back to 1946. In recent years, the company evolved from a traditional furniture manufacturer into a highly automated producer of kitchens, furniture and bespoke interiors. As part of this transformation, Haugstad made a deliberate move towards Industry 4.0: production in which machinery, digital systems, automation and robotic technology are increasingly interconnected.
Automation could not offset challenging market conditions
The modernisation programme was intended to keep production in Norway competitive. According to the company, the factory operated one of the country’s most automated and efficient production lines, with a production capacity of 3,000 to 4,000 kitchens per year. However, technology alone was not enough to carry the business through a prolonged period of difficult market conditions. Following discussions with several potential investors, Haugstad Fabrikker was declared bankrupt in April 2026.
Modern machinery retains its value
The end of a business does not necessarily mean the end of the production assets in which it has invested. A significant proportion of Haugstad’s machinery is relatively young. The production environment includes, among other equipment, modern mobile industrial robots that are only a few years old.
This is where the circular nature of the industrial second-hand market comes into its own. Machinery that can technically remain in operation for many years does not need to be written off or dismantled when a business closes. By putting it back into use at other manufacturers, its lifespan can be extended and previous investments can contribute to production capacity once again.
“A bankruptcy does not automatically mean that the machinery in a factory has lost its value,” says Martijn van Schie, Account Manager Industry at Troostwijk Auctions. “In this case, we are dealing with a modern production environment in which substantial investments have been made in automation in recent years. By bringing this machinery back to market, other manufacturers can build on investments that have already been made. That makes economic sense while also ensuring that valuable production assets remain in use for longer.”
Production capacity seeks a new destination
Haugstad Fabrikker’s production assets are now being offered internationally through Troostwijk Auctions. The auction comprises 33 lots, 29 of which fall within the woodworking category. The offering includes Format-4 and Biesse CNC machining centres, edgebanders, an automated panel buffer, Barbaric transport systems, a MiR mobile industrial robot and other machinery for furniture and kitchen production.
The auction therefore offers more than a collection of individual machines. It includes components from a production environment designed around extensive automation. For furniture, kitchen and interior manufacturers, this may provide an opportunity to expand existing production capacity or increase automation without having to invest exclusively in new machinery.
About the auction
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