Helly Hansen Workwear Brand History
Ensuring comfort and safety for workers has been Helly Hansen´s business since 1877. This was the year Captain Helly Juell Hansen stepped ashore after working as a seaman for over 20 years, from his vast experience he then started making durable waterproof clothing for seafarers and fishermen. His objective was simple, to keep workers dry and warm; his concept quickly became a resounding international success story.
As a true pioneer the brand has continued to innovate in the field of functional clothing. Helly Hansen Workwear is credited with the development of oil skin canvas garments in the late 1870´s, as we moved into the 1930´s so came the Kapok life preserver which saved many lives in the first and second world wars, then to the more recognisable lightweight PVC waterproofs developed in the 1950´s, at the time a truly monumental achievement.
In the early 1960´s the brand can take credit for the invention of Fibre Pile what today is commonly called Fleece and more often than not taken for granted in many fashion as well as practical garment applications. In the mid 1970´s Helly Hansen created revolutionary stay dry insulating underwear, which still, to this day has little or no equal. Also in the same decade the development of Offshore Survival suits became pivotal to the companies business success.
In the 1980´s came the development of our very own Helly Tech® waterproof breathable proofing system. This greatly improved working comfort and performance for all our Workwear. Latterly the development of new Crafter Fleece collections to sit along side our Fibre Pile garments proved to be very successful. High Visibility collections as well as design improvements to our traditional Cotton & Poly/Cotton & PVC Waterproof collections complete the story so far. All in all, a very sound pedigree.
Product Milestones
1877 - The Original Oil Skin Waterproofs
1930´s - Kapok Life preservers
1950´s - PVC took the oil skin to another level of waterproof.
1960´s - Helly Hansen developed a product called Fibre Pile. With superior insulating ability that out performed all contemporary garments of the day keeping the wearer warmer longer.
1970´s - Helly Hansen expanded into producing Survival Suits for the offshore industries.
1970s - Helly Hansen´s Bodywear underwear / baselayer range was also launched with properties that kept the users skin dry by moving perspiration away from the body. This kept users warmer and was a break through in functional clothing and also paved the way for our original 123 system of dress.
1980´s - This decade saw Helly Hansen develop HellyTech® an outstanding Waterproof & Breathable fabric keeping users protected from the Hellyments as well as letting perspiration out in order to help keep the wearer dry.
2000´s - Crafter Fleece The introduction of trade specific design fleece garments to improve insulation and performance across a range of trades.
NOW
Helly Hansen is using all the knowledge gained from years of working with fabric technology and exceptional designs to bring the world truly exceptional Sports & Workwear Garments.