Compass: Charting the Evolution of Outdoor Gear

Helly Hansen History

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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