Industry · municipality
The Optics Industry in Grimstad: A Detailed Analysis
Key Figures, Companies, and Prospects for Entrepreneurs and Local Decision-Makers
Overview of the Optics Industry in Grimstad
Overall Overview
The optics industry in Grimstad is a stable but variable sector with 5 registered companies in the municipality. In recent years, the industry has shown both strong growth and challenges, with a significant increase in sales and employees in 2022–2023, followed by a decline in 2025. There are no bankrupt companies in the industry, indicating a relatively stable industry structure. The activity is distributed between Grimstad and Fevik, with four companies in Grimstad and one in Fevik. The industry has a high average gross profit margin (1421%), but variation in EBITDA margins and operating results.
Key figures in 2024:
- Sales: NOK 47.1 million
- Employees: 39
- EBITDA: NOK 5.2 million
- Average EBITDA per employee: NOK 136,000
Economic Development and Key Figures
Economic Overview
Sales Development (2016–2025):
- Largest increase: +48.4% from 2021 to 2022
- Largest decrease: -36.3% from 2024 to 2025
- Average annual growth: +6.2%
Employee Development (2016–2026):
- Largest increase: +64.0% from 2021 to 2022
- Largest decrease: -14.3% from 2019 to 2020
- Average annual growth: +2.1%
Key figures 2024:
- Sales: NOK 47.1 million (+6.7% from 2023)
- Employees: 39 (-9.3% from 2023)
- EBITDA: NOK 5.2 million (12% margin)
- Average gross profit margin: 1421%
Registered Companies and Organizational Forms
Companies in the Industry
Registered companies (2025):
| Name | Address | Organizational Form | Employees | Sales (2024) | EBITDA (2024) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optikkhuset Grimstad As | Storgaten 26 | AS | 13 | NOK 16.8M | NOK 4.0M |
| Brilleland Avd 435 Grimstad | Odden 1 | AS | 11 | NOK 11.2M | NOK 815.7K |
| Interoptik Holvik | Storgaten 17 | AS | 8 | NOK 0 | NOK 0 |
| Helsebutikken I Grimstad As | Storgaten 31 | AS | 7 | NOK 11.4M | NOK 418.0K |
| Fevik Optikk As | Feviktoppen 5 | AS | 5 | NOK 2.2M | NOK 0 |
Organizational Form Statistics:
- All companies are AS (5 companies, 44 employees)
- Average operating result per employee: NOK 1.4 million
- Average EBITDA margin: 12%
Distribution of Activity in the Municipality
Industry Geography
Activity distributed across locations in the municipality:
| Location | Number of Companies | Employees | Sales (2024) | EBITDA (2024) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grimstad | 4 | 39 | NOK 39.4M | NOK 5.2M |
| Fevik | 1 | 5 | NOK 2.2M | NOK 0 |
Grimstad Details:
- Four companies with a total of 39 employees
- Sales: NOK 39.4 million
- EBITDA: NOK 5.2 million
- Average sales per company: NOK 9.85 million
Fevik Details:
- One company with 5 employees
- Sales: NOK 2.2 million
- EBITDA: NOK 0
- Average sales per company: NOK 2.2 million
Industry Dynamics and Operating Results
Industry Dynamics
Bankruptcy Statistics:
- No companies in the optics industry are bankrupt (2025)
- All companies are operational (5 companies)
Operating Results:
- Four out of five companies report positive operating results
- One company (Interoptik Holvik) has zero sales and operating results
Challenges:
- Largest sales decline: -36.3% from 2024 to 2025
- Largest employee decline: -14.3% from 2019 to 2020
- Variable EBITDA margin (0% to 23%)
Strengths:
- High average gross profit margin (1421%)
- Largest sales growth: +48.4% from 2021 to 2022
- Largest employee growth: +64.0% from 2021 to 2022
Outlook for Entrepreneurs in the Optics Industry
Development for Entrepreneurs
Opportunities:
- Stable number of companies (5 companies in 2025)
- High average gross profit margin (1421%)
- Higher sales in Grimstad compared to Fevik
- No bankrupt companies in the industry
Challenges:
- Variable sales development (largest decline: -36.3% from 2024 to 2025)
- Variable EBITDA margin (0% to 23%)
- Larger decline in employees from 2024 to 2025 (-9.3%)
Recommendation:
- Focus on stabilizing sales and operating results
- Develop differentiated offerings to stand out in a competitive market
- Consider locating in Grimstad to leverage a larger market share
Comparison with Agriculture in Grimstad
Comparison with Agriculture
Broader agriculture group in Grimstad:
- 19 companies (2025) vs. 5 companies in the optics industry
- Higher sales: NOK 228.9 million (2025) vs. NOK 30.0 million in the optics industry
- Higher number of employees: 88 (2026) vs. 37 in the optics industry
Agriculture Key Figures:
- Average sales per company: NOK 15.2 million
- Average employees per company: 4.9
- Average EBITDA margin: 10.2%
Peer companies in agriculture (non-optics):
- Evenstad Musikk Distribusjon As (sales: NOK 107.8M, EBITDA: NOK 2.5M)
- Power Norge As Avd Grimstad (sales: NOK 66.6M, EBITDA: NOK 1.6M)
- Grimstad Elektromarked As (sales: NOK 22.2M, EBITDA: NOK 987.0K)
Contrast:
- Agriculture has more companies and higher sales, but lower average EBITDA margins compared to the optics industry
Other companies in landbruk (not in optical store)
| Company | Industry | Address | Sales | Employees | EBITDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evenstad Musikk Distribusjon As | audio equipment / musical instruments store | Industriveien 4, 4879 Grimstad | NOK 107.8M | 16 | NOK 2.5M |
| Power Norge As Avd Grimstad | electronics store | Odden 2, 4876 Grimstad | NOK 66.6M | 15 | NOK 1.6M |
| Grimstad Elektromarked As | electronics store | Bergemoveien 40, 4886 Grimstad | NOK 22.2M | 12 | NOK 987.0K |
| Boomcar As | computer store | Bergemoveien 15, 4886 Grimstad | NOK 3.2M | 3 | NOK 94.0K |
| Agder Musikk Ingeman Stad | audio equipment / musical instruments store | Voss gate 1, 4878 Grimstad | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Dycon As | computer store | Østre Vessøya 96A, 4870 Fevik | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Holter Sto | electric goods store | c/o Teodor Løvlie Holter|Nedre Hausland 33, 4870 Fevik | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Holter Sto | electronics store | c/o Teodor Løvlie Holter|Nedre Hausland 33, 4870 Fevik | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Kunstvegg Dovland | audio equipment / musical instruments store | Brattemoen 3, 4870 Fevik | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Peter Lukas | audio equipment / musical instruments store | Storgaten 33, 4876 Grimstad | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Reftel Konsulenttjenester | computer store | Lauvstøveien 47, 4876 Grimstad | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Sion Kassettmisjon | audio equipment / musical instruments store | ESKEDAL, 4885 Grimstad | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Trendpanther By Glemmestad | electronics store | Grooseveien 64, 4879 Grimstad | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Systemverk As | computer store | c/o Eirik Halvorsen|Solveien 13B, 4879 Grimstad | NOK 89.0K | 0 | NOK -1.0K |
Conclusion and Recommendations
Conclusion
The optics industry in Grimstad presents both opportunities and challenges for entrepreneurs. With 5 companies and a stable industry structure, it is possible to establish oneself, but it is important to be aware of the variable sales and operating results. Higher sales and a high average gross profit margin (1421%) are strengths, while the large declines in 2025 and variable EBITDA margins are challenges. Compared to agriculture, the optics industry has fewer companies, but higher average EBITDA margins. For entrepreneurs, it is important to focus on stabilizing sales and developing differentiated offerings. SmartGrunder can help find suitable locations in Grimstad for optics businesses.