Wenaas AS

Dressed to impress

Founded in Mandalen, on the West coast of Norway, Wenaas is a leading provider of both personal protective equipment and professional work wear for a range of industries worldwide, predominantly in the oil and gas sector.

With a strong market presence in the US, the UK, Germany, Azerbaijan, the Netherlands and Singapore, the company is continuing to develop through making strategic acquisitions and by pioneering new and innovative technologies. Wenaas’ large portfolio of products includes eyewear, protective headwear, respiratory protection, flame retardant workwear, high visibility work wear, gloves and shoes. This selection represents the Wenaas product concept – to protect from head to toe.

Over the last year, the company has invested heavily into various segments of its business. Managing director of Wenaas, Jostein Strand, highlights some of these developments: “We have put a lot of focus into our IT systems and our electronic based processes in co-operation with our IT supplier, the EDB Group. We have also carried out various renovations in many of our branches around Norway, in both our head offices and our main warehouse, where we have improved its facilities and increased capacity for stock.” In addition, the company has undergone a restructuring process that has seen it streamline its staff, as he continues: “We have reduced the number of employees in certain areas, whilst employing more specifically skilled people for dedicated jobs. This has helped to increase the overall competence throughout the company, and as a result it is a completely different Wenaas that we see today compared to what we had a year ago. It is a more dynamic company, and we have set new targets to be more competitive and serve customers even more efficiently than we have done before.”

Wenaas’ ability to continually set the benchmark for its industry comes from a number of key strengths, one of which is being part of a group, according to Jostein: “A major advantage that we hold over our competitors is our sheer size. We are a very large company and we have a stock-keeping capacity that is far superior to many others in the market. Also, operating as part of the Kwintet group means that we have a highly secure production system supported by strong financial backing, and a constant flow of incoming orders.” As such, the company is in an ideal position to continue its growth, upholding a strategy that targets global expansion, as he elaborates: “One of the major ongoing projects that has been taking place within the company is product development, and we are focusing on widening our brand even further to gain greater worldwide recognition. This is being made possible through two of our most successful and highly refutable brands – our Odin gloves and our Forma safety shoes – in addition to the already strong Wenaas work wear brand.

Wenaas’ standard safety shoe, the Forma Works 200, uses an aluminium toe cap as opposed to a steel toe cap. This is 40 per cent lighter and it therefore gives the wearer much more balance and a more natural movement. The design offers a simple lace-up system that gives easy access in and out of the shoe, and it also adapts better for people with a high instep, due to its ergonomic shape. Wenaas employs its own Heel and Forefoot Concept (HFC) to provide relief and comfort and, fashioned from full grain oil nubuck leather, it is fitted with gel cushions throughout the sole to further enhance its durability and usefulness in tough work environments. Also using this pioneering HFC technology, the company produces the Forma Works 300 Safety Boot, which has an X-Flex sole and comes with the same aluminium toe cap, in addition to full lining.

Another increasingly popular product that Wenaas is responsible for is the Forma Oil Master safety boot, which comes with a composite toe cap, providing an alternative that is 50 per cent lighter than steel. It uses a dual density PU/Nitrate sole that is resistant to most chemicals, alongside a Dyneema midsole, which offers high levels of protection and comfort. This work boot also features a gusset side zip for ease of access, and a full bellows tongue and Unique Integrated Ankle Support (UIAS) system to improve stability and safety. Wenaas also uses Dyneema in its glove range, and one of the most popular models is the Odin Leather Rigger glove, which is suitable for all types of handling work, with an elastic tensioner, safety cuffs and vein protection. Also popular are the company’s driver gloves, which are ideal for protection against cuts, punctures and abrasions thanks to their sable fleece linings.

This extensive product portfolio is contributing to company’s growth and Jostein elaborates on the emerging future prospects for Wenaas: “The oil and gas industry is the largest market segment for our company, and that is where our product development will continue to be focused. Whilst we do have several big contracts with companies in other industries, such as construction, the oil and gas sector will provide us with that springboard for expansion that we need. As a company, we are looking to introduce new technical products into this segment as well.”

Jostein’s positive outlook for the coming years is untainted by the current financial crisis, and he concludes: “We have been very successful despite the downturn, and we have acquired several new contracts in the second quarter of this year; I believe it is highly likely that within the next 12 months we will see business levels increase again. The only real challenge that I see today is overcoming the unstable exchange rates and, whilst the Norwegian market has become a lot easier to read again, the international market is still quite complicated to gauge. At Wenaas we say ‘safety is having peace of mind’, and we continue to provide this.”

Wenaas AS

Products: Protective clothing, safety shoes and PPE