Norwegian Ambassador visits Detroit for NorCham Michigan reception

NorCham Michigan had the honor of welcoming the Norwegian Ambassador to the United States, Anniken Huitfeldt, for her first official visit to Detroit on October 2, 2025. The reception, hosted at the Detroit Athletic Club, brought together representatives from Norwegian businesses and the Norwegian-American heritage community, including members of Sons of Norway.

Spotlight on Norwegian innovation in Michigan

Two NorCham member companies with new footprints in the Detroit metro area were highlighted for their contributions to Michigan’s strengths in mobility and clean energy:

• wheel.me – the Norwegian robotics company transforming indoor mobility and automation. The technology was demonstrated by Rasmus Bendvold, U.S. Managing Director, and Jenny Shan, Deployment Project Manager, alongside Dennis Flessland, Honorary Consul of Norway to Michigan, and Kristine Heggem Brokstad, President of NorCham Michigan.

• Vianode – a leading producer of sustainable battery materials, now preparing its first North American facility to support the region’s growing battery and EV ecosystem.

Strengthening regional partnerships

During the visit, the Ambassador also met with the Detroit Regional Partnership to discuss opportunities for Norwegian companies across Southeast Michigan’s advanced manufacturing, mobility, and energy sectors. The program concluded with a site visit to Norsk Hydro’s state-of-the-art aluminum recycling facility in Cassopolis—opened in 2023—underscoring Norway’s commitment to circular materials and low-carbon production in the United States.