Helly Hansen
Helly Juell Hansen began the Helly Hansen business in 1877. The first products produced by Helly Hansen were their oilskin waterproof jackets. Helly Hansen had been a sea captain since a very younger age and with over 20 years at sea he had first hand knowledge of being cold and soaked to the skin. It was this feeling that made him decide to set up the Helly Hansen brand and with the help of his wife they began creating Helly Hansen jackets, Helly Hansen trousers and Helly Hansen sou'wester hats which could be used by seamen while out at sea. Once the jackets, trousers and sou’wester hats were finished, oil was applied them to them and let to dry to make the waterproof.
During Helly Hansen’s first year of trading 2000 items were sold and after 5 years of trading 10000 items has been sold, a great success story for a business. During those five years Helly Hansen sold everything from clothing such as jackets and trousers to tarpaulins.
The reason behind the success of the Helly Hansen brand was the effort and dedication that went into each of the products they sold. Every item created by Helly Hansen was tested as they needed their customers to be satisfied with their product so that the Helly Hansen business would succeed. When creating Helly Hansen products, the highest of technical specifications we adhered to. This dedication ensured customers were satisfied and helped the Helly Hansen brand go from strength to strength.
The Helly Hansen brand was not just growing within its country of origin but before the end of the 19th century Helly Hansen was being exported to Denmark and Sweden and in the years following it began being exported to countries such as South Africa, England and even as far a field as Chile.
Helly Juell Hansen died in 1914 so his son, Helly Hansen, took over the business. Helly Hansen had spent his life working in commerce in countries such as England and Germany so he had a determination to keep growing the Helly Hansen brand his father had created.
Linox, as it was called by Helly Hansen was created during the 1920s. Linox was like no other fabric that had been created before as it looked attractive, had a glossary surface and was non-sticky, a trait that had been common in Helly Hansen products before Linox was discovered. Linox today is now referred to as to a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) application.
As time went on many new fabrics were created, in 1931 Lin-O-Let, was launched. Lin-O-Let was very thin and light, came in a variety of colours and was used in Helly Hansen waterproof leisure clothing for women and children. This was when the trend for outdoor clothing as fashion was born.
Then in 1949 Helox was developed. This was a very thin sheet of translucent PVC plastic which was sewn into waterproof coats and hats.
The breakthrough for the Helly Hansen outdoor and work wear markets was Fibrepile, now known as Fleece. As you will know Fleece is warm, lightweight and fast-drying so was ideal for wearing under waterproofs.
Helly Hansen has continued to develop over the years and in the late 1990s developed a large following amongst the British working class urban youth. As the youths found themselves spending time outdoors during the winter the Helly Hansen jackets became a firm favourite for keeping them warm.
Team Helly Hansen Workwear
HH Distribution Logistics Ltd
Head Office
1 Heaton Court
Birchwood Science Park
Warrington
Cheshire
WA3 6QU
Tel: 0845 603 3103
Email: sales@hellyhansen-workwear.com