Helly Hansen maintains robust and longstanding partnerships with its suppliers, enhancing trust, driving innovation, and ensuring product quality while focusing on environmental sustainability. Our relationships with many suppliers extend beyond 15 years, facilitating the development of unique materials and optimizing production methods. To align with environmental and safety standards, all Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers are required to adhere to our stringent chemical compliance contract, which includes adherence to the bluesign®'s Restricted Substances List (RSL) and compliance with REACH regulations.

Supplier Due Diligence and Ethical Standards

Every Helly Hansen supplier undergoes thorough risk assessments, including country-specific and geopolitical evaluations, and must pass factory inspections based on our ethical and environmental criteria outlined in our Code of Conduct. We are committed to the standards of the Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI), though we also recognize and accept equivalent audits from WRAP, SMETA, SA8000, ICTI, RBA, and Better Works to prevent audit fatigue. Factories lacking these audits are supported through a BSCI audit preparation process, requiring at least a “C” rating. Factories that score a “D” or lower must implement a Corrective Action Plan and undergo a follow-up audit within three months.

Manufacturing and Supplier Locations

Our Tier 1 suppliers, primarily garment producers, are significantly based in China, where we source over 40% of our products and have sustained partnerships for over 20 years. Bangladesh is another key location for our garment production. For materials, our Tier 2 suppliers—who provide fabrics, insulations, interlinings, and trims—are chiefly located in Taiwan, China, and Vietnam. We openly share details of our key Tier 2 suppliers on the Open Supply Hub platform.

In response to the specific query, "Where is Helly Hansen made?"—Helly Hansen's manufacturing primarily takes place in China and Bangladesh for garment production, with significant material sourcing from Taiwan, China, and Vietnam.

We feel that Helly Hansen's popularity can be attributed to 3 key factors among many others that resonate well with its target audience, making it a preferred brand in outdoor and workwear sectors. Initially founded in 1877 in Norway, Helly Hansen began by producing waterproof clothing for sailors. This heritage in providing durable, weather-resistant apparel laid the groundwork for its reputation for quality and reliability.

1. Technological Innovation: Helly Hansen has consistently prioritized innovation in its products. The company developed the first supple waterproof fabrics in 1877, and it later introduced the groundbreaking three-layer system in the 1970s, which included the pioneering LIFA fabric that effectively keeps the skin dry and warm by pushing moisture away from the body. Such technological advancements have cemented its status as a leader in technical outerwear.

2. Durability and Functionality: The brand is synonymous with durability. Products are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, which appeals to professional mariners, adventurers, and outdoor enthusiasts alike. This reputation for making 'gear that works' ensures consumer trust and repeated patronage.

3. Versatility: Helly Hansen offers a wide range of products that cater to various outdoor activities, including sailing, skiing, and mountaineering, as well as professional workwear for industries requiring performance-oriented clothing. This versatility broadens its market reach and enhances its appeal across different consumer segments.

Why You Should Wash Your Helly Hansen Jacket: Washing your Helly Hansen jacket is crucial for removing oils, dirt, and salts, which can impair the fabric's function and appearance. Signs that your jacket needs washing include:

• Water droplets no longer bead off the jacket’s surface, indicating that the Durable Water Repellency (DWR) treatment might be diminished.
• A decrease in the garment’s breathability, suggesting possible contamination of the membrane.

Steps to Wash Your Helly Hansen Jacket:

1. Preparation:

   • Ensure all zippers are fully zipped to prevent damage during the wash cycle.

2. Washing:

   • Use warm water and select a gentle cycle on a commercial washing machine.
   • Avoid fabric softeners and detergents with softening agents, as they can reduce the fabric's performance.
   • Opt for a technical wash product recommended by Helly Hansen or a liquid detergent without additives (perfume, foam, or softener) if a technical product is unavailable.
   • Include an extra rinse cycle to thoroughly remove any remaining detergent.

3. Drying:

   • Tumble dry your jacket according to the care label instructions to reactivate the DWR treatment.

Reapplying DWR Treatment: When water droplets fail to bead off the surface post-wash, it’s time to reapply the DWR treatment:

• Hang the jacket to drip off excess water.
• Close all zippers.
• Evenly apply a DWR spray over the jacket.
• Tumble dry at a medium temperature for approximately 50 minutes.

Maintenance Tips for Helly Hansen Down Jackets: Down jackets require specific care:

• Wash in lukewarm water on a gentle cycle with an extra rinse to fully remove detergent.
• Avoid twisting or shaking the jacket. Instead, gently press out excess water.
• Tumble dry with dryer balls to help fluff the down filling.

Washing Helly Hansen Wool Products: Wool garments should be handled with care:

• Wash using a wool program or hand wash at no more than 40 degrees Celsius.
• Lay flat to dry to maintain shape and avoid felting.

Caring for Helly Hansen Lifa® Products:

• Machine wash Lifa® garments in lukewarm water with a mild detergent.
• Do not tumble dry; hang or air dry instead.

Footwear Care:

• Test any cleaning product on a small, inconspicuous area of the footwear to ensure no discoloration occurs.