Helly Hansen

History

Helly Juell Hansen had been at sea since the age of 14 and in 1877, at the age of 35, he and his wife Maren Margarethe began producing oilskin jackets, trousers, sou'westers and tarpaulins, made from coarse linen soaked in linseed oil. Over the first five years they sold around 10,000 pieces.

In 1878 the company won a diploma for excellence at the Paris Expo, and began exporting its products.

After Helly Juell Hansen's death in 1914, company leadership passed on to his son Helly Hansen, an experienced merchant.

In the 1920s a new fabric, which Helly Hansen called Linox, was developed. The surface was glossy and attractive – and, best of all, non-sticky. Over the next 30 years the name Linox would transfer to a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) application.

Product development

A change for the brand came in 1949 when Helox was developed. The sheet of translucent PVC plastic sewn into waterproof coats and hats became a popular item. About 30,000 Helox coats were produced each month. Plarex, a heavier-duty version of Helox, backed by fabric, was developed for workwear.

A product developed for the outdoor and workwear markets was Fibrepile which is an insulation layer for wearing under waterproofs. It was used by Swedish lumbermen, who discovered that it offered insulation against the cold, and ventilated well during hard, physical work in the forest.

LIFA

The layering story was completed in the 1970s, with the development of LIFA. The Italian researchers who discovered how to spin yarn from polypropylene fibre were rewarded with the Nobel Prize in 1963. This fibre used in LIFA, kept the skin dry and warm by pushing moisture away from the body, making it the ideal base-layer fabric for outdoor and workwear use. It was the birth of the 3-layer systems of dress with LIFA close to the body, Fibrepile as an insulation layer, and rainwear for protection.

North Sea oil exploration

During the 1970s the company developed survival suits for offshore oil workers. In 1980 the company's breathable, waterproof fabric system – called Helly Tech – was launched.

H2 Flow Technology

Helly Hansen introduced their new H2 Flow Technology in 2012 with the H2 Flow Jacket, which won an Award for Design Excellence from the Norwegian Design Council. The H2 Flow Jacket features an airflow venting system, and a protective barrier. Essentially, it is a jacket with zippers. It allows the wearer to regulate their body temperature by opening the zipper when they are too hot and release heat, and closing the zipper when too cold, retaining the heat.

Technology behind the clothing

Helly Tech garments use both hydrophilic and microporous technology. Hydrophilic garments have water-loving molecular chains which pass water vapor to the outside. Microporous garments have tiny pores that allow water vapor to pass out of the fabric without letting rain droplets in. Helly Tech is Helly Hansen's own proprietary system of waterproofing where they guarantee their garments to be waterproof, breathable and windproof. They critically tape and seam seal for additional protection against moisture.

Company takeovers

Investcorp acquired Helly Hansen in 1997.

In October 2006, Investcorp sold its interest in Helly Hansen to Altor Equity Partners, "A private equity firm focusing on investments in companies based in the Nordic region."

In 2012, Altor sold a 75% stake in Helly Hansen to the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan.

Streetwear

Helly Hansen clothing developed a following amongst the British working class urban youth in the late 1990s. Their jackets appeal to "scallie" urban youth in the north of England. Cold winter nights and the new range of designs were attractive to youths who spent cold nights outdoors. They are also popular in hip hop culture The brand developed a mass appeal and is now sold in sports shops, not only the hiking and specialized clothing shops of before.

Partnerships

In February 2011, a three-year partnership with guiding company Mountain Madness was announced. The agreement between the companies means that Helly Hansen will be outfitting all of Mountain Madness operations guides "with technical apparel from head to toe" beginning the 2011 season and extending through 2013.

In November 2012, Helly Hansen partnered with the US Ski & Snowboard Association (USSA) to be their official baselayer provider. The US Alpine Ski Team wore Helly Hansen baselayer while competing in Sochi.

Helly Hansen is the official apparel sponsor of the NOOD Regatta Races for sailing.

From 1 July 2015, Helly Hansen will provide the technical kit for Canada’s alpine and para-alpine ski teams.