Our Story

From a garage on the west coast of Norway to a global equipment provider, this is the story of NOR.

2011

Where it all began

Norwegian Offshore Rental (NOR) was founded in a garage on Risøy in Haugesund, Norway, by Jan Sigurd Østebøvik and Geir Egil Østebøvik, with a vision that reached far beyond the size of the room. The Østebøvik family brought with them strong traditions in maritime ownership, including through their ownership of Imenco. This foundation gave NOR a solid starting point, combining entrepreneurial spirit, hands-on expertise, and a deep understanding of the offshore and subsea industries. From day one, the ambition was clear: to become a trusted partner by delivering reliable equipment, responding quickly, and building long-term customer relationships through quality and trust.

A spacious warehouse interior with a high metal ceiling, concrete floor, wooden crates, stairs, and a "Norwegian Offshore Rental" logo.
A green semi-truck carries five large, tire-covered marine fenders on a flatbed trailer in front of a "Norwegian Offshore Rental" building.
A smiling man with a beard wearing a dark suit jacket and green sweater stands by the water.

2015

Establishing a foundation of quality

As NOR continued to grow, the company achieved ISO 9001 certification, reinforcing its commitment to quality, consistency, and continuous improvement. The certification marked an important step in building structured processes and operational excellence across the organisation, laying the foundation for scalable growth.

Modern building facade with alternating horizontal gray bands and rows of rounded blue windows.
Logo for a blue "N" in a circle next to the Norwegian Accreditation logo with a crown.
Person in a blue shirt assembling a circular metal component.

2020

Expanding beyond Norway

NOR took its first international step by opening an office in Aberdeen, Scotland, one of the world’s leading offshore energy hubs. The expansion strengthened NOR’s position in the UK market and marked the beginning of the company’s international growth journey, bringing the business closer to customers across offshore and subsea markets.

Two men in business attire shaking hands outdoors with a body of water and buildings in the background.
A gray industrial building with a "nor Offshore Rental" sign, two cars parked outside, and a clear blue sky.

2022

Building capacity for the future

To support continued growth, NOR moved into its new headquarters in Aksdal, Norway. The 4,000 sqm facility was designed to bring people, equipment, logistics, and operations together under one roof, creating a stronger platform for efficiency, collaboration, and future expansion.

A modern two-story building with black and light brown paneling, a parking lot with cars, and industrial structures against forested hills and a construction site.
Warehouse interior with tall storage racks, a forklift, and two people moving a large box.

2023

Strengthening the rental platform

NOR acquired Innova Rental AS, further expanding its rental fleet and strengthening its position within offshore wind and renewable energy markets. The acquisition broadened NOR’s capabilities and reinforced the company’s ambition to support both traditional offshore operations and the accelerating energy transition.

Two smiling men shake hands in an office with an Innova logo on the wall.
Two workers assembling a large yellow industrial machine in a workshop.
A smiling worker wearing a headset and orange gloves inspects a yellow industrial machine.

2024

Defining the next phase of growth

2024 marked an important strategic milestone for NOR. During the year, the company defined a new long-term growth strategy focused on international expansion and a broader role in the market. This marked a shift from being primarily an equipment rental partner to becoming a full-service solutions partner for the offshore, subsea, and energy industries. The strategy established a clear direction for future growth, combining equipment, technical expertise, engineering support, and customised solutions to support customers across increasingly complex operations and global markets.

Four people in hard hats and industrial workwear, seen from behind, gathered and observing something.
Two men in a workshop, one crouching and holding a Nortek multi-sensor device while smiling at the other man sitting on a case.
A person in blue overalls and safety glasses wiping an object on a workbench in a workshop.

2025

Accelerating global growth

NOR continued its international expansion through the acquisitions of Clockwise Subsea and ECHO81. These strategic additions significantly strengthened NOR’s global presence, establishing operations across Asia-Pacific with locations in Singapore, Malaysia, and India, while expanding the company’s footprint in the Americas through offices in Houston, Hartwell, Maine, and New Jersey. The acquisitions also expanded NOR’s technical expertise, equipment portfolio, and service capabilities within offshore, subsea, hydrographic, and survey operations. The same year, NOR launched NOR Solutions, a dedicated business unit focused on customised technical services, engineering support, product development, and tailored solutions for offshore and subsea operations. This marked an important evolution in the company’s journey from equipment rental provider to a broader solutions-oriented partner.

Beige building with corrugated metal siding, awnings, and a blue "nor" sign.
A group of 15 smiling professionals standing outdoors by a waterfront with an industrial backdrop.
Three men in suits sign documents at a table with small flags of Norway, USA, and Offshore Rental.

2026

Becoming NOR Group

In 2026, Norwegian Offshore Rental evolved into NOR Group, reflecting the company’s development into a broader international organisation. While rental remains at the core of the business, NOR Group now delivers equipment, sales, engineering services, technical support, and customised solutions to customers worldwide. The same year, NOR expanded further into the Asia-Pacific region by opening a new office in Perth, Australia, strengthening its presence in one of the world’s most important offshore and subsea markets. NOR also established NOR Academy, a long-term investment in competence development, technical training, and knowledge sharing across teams and locations. The initiative reflects the company’s commitment to quality, safety, and continuous improvement as the organisation continues to grow globally.

A smiling man in a black t-shirt leans on industrial machinery in a workshop, holding a tool.
A person wearing a black sweatshirt with the "nor" logo on the back operates scientific equipment.
Two men in high-vis vests with a green forklift moving Sonardyne branded cases in a warehouse.

Today

Built for what’s next

From a garage in Haugesund to a global organisation serving customers across multiple continents, NOR’s journey has always been driven by the same core values: reliability, responsiveness, technical expertise, and strong partnerships. Today, NOR Group continues to grow with one clear ambition: to be a trusted global partner for the offshore, subsea, and energy industries.

A smiling young man wearing a "nor" branded cap and uniform with an orange glove in a warehouse.
Two smiling men wearing ear protection stand in a facility with industrial lifting hooks and slings.
A man in a hard hat, safety glasses, and orange gloves works on blue machinery with a tool.