[1] The idea of a smelting plant in Kvinnherad was conceived in 1959, after two seasons of very poor results for the local fishing industry.
During the early years, the plant struggled with getting enough local manpower, which led to an increase in importing workers from other regions in Norway (especially from Finnmark, Troms) and other countries, like Denmark.
[3] Production remained stable during the 1970s, 80s and 90s, as the local community gradually expanded around the plant, which was the main source of income for most families in the area.
During the next twenty years, Husnes grew from a small farming village to an expanded urban area with shopping centres, schools and sports facilities.
During the early 2000s, due to a gradual fall in aluminium prices, the production rate slowed down, and the company began suffering losses for the first time in forty years.