Remembering Tjerand Tveit
It is with deep respect and heavy hearts that we remember Tjerand Tveit, who passed away peacefully on March 9, 2025.
Tjerand was not only our colleague and Technical Manager – he was, in every sense, part of the foundation of Control Cutter.
On behalf of the entire team, Control Cutter extends our sincerest condolences to his wife Monica, his children, and his wider family. As one of our own said best, “In all our hearts, Tjerand is Control Cutter.”
A Relentless Innovator and Quiet Leader
Tjerand joined Control Cutter in 2011, not long after its founding, and was instrumental in transforming a vision into a working technology. While Petter Birkeland brought the concept, it was Tjerand who engineered it into reality. His depth of knowledge – especially in hydraulics – paired with a fearless, curious mindset, drove countless technical breakthroughs.
He once joked during early trials of the Decom Cutter, “We’ve built the tools – now it’s your turn to go out and break them.” That mixture of confidence, encouragement, and humour sums up much of what made him so special as a leader and teammate.
From knife design testing to system overhauls, Tjerand’s fingerprints are on nearly every tool we’ve delivered. His ability to troubleshoot from memory over a 2am phone call or to teach calmly under pressure wasn’t just technical brilliance – it was trust earned over time.
Beyond the Fire
While the Malm Orstad accident in 2011 left lasting marks on those involved, it is not the accident but what followed that defines Tjerand’s resilience. Badly injured alongside Petter, Tjerand eventually returned – first informally, after hours, helping finish critical testing. Later, as soon as it was possible, he rejoined full-time, becoming a part-owner and full-hearted member of what he often called his “second family.”
That same spirit of loyalty never faded. As the company grew, so did his role – not just as an engineer, but as a mentor, listener, and quiet force behind Control Cutter’s culture.
The Colleague, the Mentor, the Friend
To know Tjerand was to know warmth, patience, and subtle humour. He had a way of making people feel at ease – whether helping a colleague fix a car, lending an ear about personal matters, or opening his cabin to a new employee and making them feel welcome.
He was, as many said, “the office shrink,” always available for a talk. And always believing: “Det kan fort gå godt”—“It can easily go well.” It was more than a saying; it was how he lived and led.
Some of the tributes from the team speak volumes:
“He made you feel like family.” — Dennis Rooyakkers
“If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here. He sold the company to us.” — Kevin Baker
“Without a doubt Tjerand was a genius. What he didn’t know wasn’t worth knowing.” — Scott Eke
“His legacy is in every project we deliver and in the way we work together as a team.” — Lukas David
“His knowledge of the equipment and his calm thinking during a stressful situation was such a strong point of TJ’s roll in the company.” — Michael Keith
A Lasting Legacy
Control Cutter is now a company of more than 25 people across multiple regions, yet the heartbeat of what we do is still shaped by the early days – and by Tjerand.
From the way we approach design problems to how we treat one another, his influence is everywhere.
We will carry his spirit forward in our work, our projects, and our daily decisions. Not just as a memory, but as a model: lead with curiosity, act with care, believe it’s possible.
“Everything is possible – until the opposite is proven.”