The Optician Industry in Karmøy: Companies, Statistics, and Outlook

The optician industry in Karmøy municipality has a complex dynamic with both stable elements and challenges. Five companies are registered in the industry, distributed across three central urban areas: Karmsund, Åkrehamn, and Kopervik. Although the number of employees has varied over time, the industry has experienced weakness in sales growth after 2022, which may affect future investment and development. At the same time, data shows that some of the largest companies have positive EBITDA, indicating potential for growth in certain areas. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find strategic addresses in the municipality for this industry.

The sales development for the optician industry in Karmøy has been uneven in recent years. From 2016 to 2020, sales grew by over 80%, but after 2022, there has been a decline of over 10%. In 2025, sales were NOK 103.3 million, which is a decline of 10.1% compared to 2024. The number of employees has also been unstable, with a decline from 37 in 2022 to 26 in 2026. This shows that the industry has experienced both growth and contraction over the past few years.

There are five companies registered in the optician industry in Karmøy, distributed as follows by company type and locations:

All companies are registered as AS, which suggests that this is a standard organizational form in the industry. The most stable companies are Optiker Hedegaard and Synsam Åkrehamn, while Lensit.no has experienced losses in recent years.

The distribution of opticians in Karmøy shows that Karmsund has the largest share of companies (2 companies), while Åkrehamn and Kopervik each have one company. However, there is a clear difference in economic performance:

Åkrehamn shows the best economic performance with an EBITDA margin of 14%, while Karmsund has a negative EBITDA. This indicates that there are significant variations in business models and market positioning in different urban areas.

The industry has been relatively stable in terms of bankruptcy, with no registered bankruptcies among the five companies. However, data shows that two of the companies (Lensit.no and Ifocus Optikk Åkra) have negative EBITDA, which may indicate economic challenges. This could be a signal that there is a need for streamlining or adaptation to market changes. However, there are no bankruptcies, which shows that the companies have managed to handle economic pressure.

For entrepreneurs considering establishing themselves in the optician industry in Karmøy, it is important to note the weak sales growth in recent years. Although there are five companies in the industry, sales have declined since 2022, which may affect competition and the market. Åkrehamn appears to be a more profitable urban area with positive EBITDA, which could be an advantage for new players. At the same time, it is possible to find addresses in the municipality that are strategically located to reach local customers. SmartGrunder can help identify such addresses.

When comparing the optician industry to the broader agricultural sector in Karmøy, data shows that agriculture has a much larger scale (22 companies) and higher sales (NOK 308.5M in 2025). Agriculture also has more stable sales growth, with a decline of only 0.0% from 2024 to 2025. In contrast, the optician industry has a more volatile development. However, some of the largest companies in agriculture (such as Åkra Elektriske As) show positive EBITDA, which could provide a comparison for entrepreneurs in the optician industry. It is, however, important to note that agriculture and opticians have completely different market specifications and customer groups.

The optician industry in Karmøy has both opportunities and challenges. With five companies and a relatively stable market share, it is possible to find a place in the municipality. However, sales data shows that the industry has been affected by a decline after 2022, which may affect future growth. Åkrehamn appears to be an area with potential, while Karmsund has shown weaker economic performance. Entrepreneurs should consider establishing themselves in areas with positive EBITDA and at the same time be aware of the economic challenges in the industry. SmartGrunder can help find strategic addresses and develop a competitive business model.