1857
15 year old Helly Juell Hansen begins his working career in the merchant navy
1860’s
Whilst sick of getting wet as a merchant seaman Helly Juell Hansen develops the first ‘oilskin’
1876
Retires from life in the merchant navy
1877
Sets up shop with wife in Moss, Norway, becoming the world's first rainwear manufacturer
Commercialises ‘oilskin’ trousers and jackets, from coarse linen soaked in linseed oil
1878
sells 2,000 oilskins
1882
has now sold over 10,000 garments to seamen
Will hold onto 65% of worldwide market for oilskins, via secret oil drying preparation method
1914
Helly Juell dies, passing company to son Leiv Helly Hansen
1949
release Helox fabric, a lightweight, translucent sheet of PVC plastic in waterproof coats and hats
1950
introduction of MicroWeld 100% waterproof seams: mircowaves make a molecular bond between thread & fabric
1961
develop insulated knitted pile garments
1971
LIFA polypropylene underwear launched, following a merger with a company making nappy (diaper) linings
1970’s
develop a neoprene-based survival suit that kept wearer alive in water for two days
1975
introduce MutliCoating for waterproofs: several thin coats of polyurethane, rather than one thick coat
1977
first European company to offer waterproof/breathable garments
1979
unveil ‘W’ pile garments in nylon material, using a patented doubled faced knitting process
1980
(or 1984 by some reports) introduce Helly-Tech, a waterproof, breathable shell
1981
opened US Headquarters in Washington state, with 15 staff
1984
US sales of $10 million and staff of 130
global sales of US $100 million, 1,600 staff worldwide, facilities in Canada, Ireland, Portugal, USA and Norway
produce 65% of the rainwear sold to the commercial fishing industry
1986
introduced patented FibreLock knit Propile polyester fabric with 'W' construction. Doesn't 'pill' or use adhesive binders
1993
introduce ImperTech fishing foul weather gear in polyurethane coated polyester with 200% stretch
First company to use Spectra fabric on recreational outdoor clothing
1995
Holds 8% of the active underwear garment market in key European countries
Parent Orkla sells 50% of company to Resource Group International for US $18.6 million
major restructuring undertaken closing factories and moving to outsourcing
1996
sales of NOK 941 million (US $146 million)
US sales of about $40 million USD
Rapper LL Cool Jay wears Helly Hansen as streetwear, opening up broad brand exposure
1997
about 80% of clothing product range now produced under contract
Helly Hansen acquired by Investcorp (70% ownership - 50% Resource Group and 20% Orkla)
Orkla, of Norway, maintains a 30% share
1998
opens flagship retail store in Seattle, Washington
First company to use illumiNITE reflective technology in mountaineering outdoor clothing.
2006
Investcorp sell their interest in Helly Hansen to Altor Equity Partners
Helly Hansen now