The Party Equipment Industry in Stavanger: A Detailed Analysis

Overview of the Party Equipment Industry in Stavanger

The party equipment industry in Stavanger is a small, particularly challenging sector with only one registered company: Birkemo As. The industry has been marked by highly uncertain economic conditions, with negative EBITDA and declining sales over the past few years. Although no bankruptcy has been registered, the figures indicate a very critical financial situation for the single company. This makes the industry appear as a challenging market for new players, although there may be opportunities in collaboration or specialization.

Key points from the analysis:

• Only one company in the industry (Birkemo As)
• Negative EBITDA and declining sales
• Low number of employees (6) and unstable organizational structure
• No bankruptcy, but high debt level
• Contrast to the broader public sector, which shows more stability

Sales and employee development (2016–2025):

• Sales: Highest in 2023 (NOK 7.2M), but fell to NOK 5.8M in 2025 (decrease of 12.1 %)
• Employees: Reduced from 12 in 2016 to 5 in 2025 (decrease of 58.3 %)
• EBITDA: Constantly negative (–14 % margin) throughout the period
• Debt: NOK 2.7M in 2025, with negative equity (NOK –268.0K)

The figures show an industry in crisis:

• Sales have been uncertain, with a sharp decline in 2020 (–7.1 %) and a short-term increase in 2021 (+19.2 %)
• Employees have been in constant decline, with a strong reduction in 2020–2021 (–25.0 %)
• EBITDA has been negative in all years, with a worst-case in 2023 (–14 % margin)

Conclusion: The industry has been marked by both economic and organizational challenges, with a single company that has not managed to stabilize its position.

Birkemo As is the only registered company in the party equipment industry in Stavanger. It is an AS with the following details:

• Address: Asylgata 1, Stavanger
• Incorporation year: 1968
• Number of employees: 6
• Sales in 2025: NOK 5.8M
• EBITDA: NOK –849.0K
• Debt: NOK 2.7M
• Equity: NOK –268.0K

Organizational form:

• Only one AS in the industry
• No companies in other organizational forms (e.g. Sole proprietorship or Listed company)

Conclusion: The industry is dominated by one older company with very unstable financial conditions. There are no indications of new players in the sector.

Stavanger is the only activity location in the industry:

• Number of companies: 1
• Number of employees: 6
• Sales: NOK 5.8M in 2025
• EBITDA: NOK –849.0K
• Debt: NOK 2.7M

Geographic concentration:

• All activities are concentrated in Stavanger, with no development in other neighborhoods or municipalities
• Birkemo As is located in the city center (Asylgata 1), which may be an advantage for customer access and collaboration partners

Conclusion: The industry is fully concentrated in Stavanger, with no spread to other geographic areas in the municipality.

Bankruptcies and economic challenges:

• No bankruptcy registrations for the party equipment industry in Stavanger
• Birkemo As is not in bankruptcy, but has negative equity and high debt (NOK 2.7M)
• EBITDA margin has been negative in all years (–14 % in 2025)
• Sales peak was in 2023 (NOK 7.2M), but fell to NOK 5.8M in 2025

Employee development:

• Reduction from 12 in 2016 to 5 in 2025 (decrease of 58.3 %)
• Largest decline in 2020–2021 (–25.0 %)
• Some years with small increases (2021–2022: +16.7 %)

Conclusion: The industry has been marked by unstable economic conditions, with a single company that has not managed to stabilize its position. There are no indications of new players in the sector.

Expectations for the industry in Stavanger:

• Small market opportunity: Only one company in the industry, with very unstable economic conditions
• Negative EBITDA: Constantly negative in all years, with worst-case in 2023 (–14 %)
• High debt: NOK 2.7M in 2025, with negative equity
• Fallback protection: No bankruptcy, but high risk for economic decline

Opportunities and challenges:

• Opportunities: Concentration in Stavanger can provide advantages for customer access and collaboration partners
• Challenges: Small market opportunity, unstable economic conditions and high debt
• Recommendation: Entrepreneurs should consider seeking support from local authorities or collaborating with existing players to stabilize their position

SmartGrunder can help: We can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses in Stavanger for the party equipment industry, with a focus on natural business development opportunities.

Outlook for the broader sector (public administration and defense)

Contrast to the party equipment industry:

• Number of companies: 20 in public administration and defense, versus 1 in the party equipment industry
• Sales: NOK 71.4M in 2025 (versus NOK 5.8M in the party equipment industry)
• Employees: 68 in 2025 (versus 5 in the party equipment industry)
• EBITDA: Variable, but more stable than in the party equipment industry

Peer companies in public administration and defense:

• Extra Leker Holding As: NOK 16.3M in sales, 10 employees, NOK 1.6M in EBITDA
• Selfmade Norge As Avd Stavanger: NOK 28.9M in sales, 19 employees, NOK 887.8K in EBITDA
• Dragons Nest Gaming As: NOK 7.0M in sales, 5 employees, NOK 761.0K in EBITDA

Conclusion: The broader public sector shows more stable economic conditions, with higher sales, more employees and better EBITDA margins. This can provide entrepreneurs in the party equipment industry with opportunities for collaboration or support from public actors.

The party equipment industry in Stavanger is a small, challenging sector:

• Only one company (Birkemo As) with unstable economic conditions
• Negative EBITDA and high debt
• No bankruptcy, but low number of employees and low sales

Contrast to public administration and defense:

• The broader sector shows more stable economic conditions, with higher sales, more employees and better EBITDA margins
• Opportunities for collaboration or support from public actors

Recommendation to entrepreneurs:

• Consider seeking support from local authorities or collaborating with existing players
• SmartGrunder can help find suitable addresses in Stavanger for the party equipment industry, with a focus on natural business development opportunities.