Helly Hansen Boosts Product Innovation with the Power Of 3D
Outdoor trailblazer uses Centric Outdoor PLM and 3D technology to support agile, high-quality product development
CAMPBELL, California, January 19, 2021 – Centric Software® is delighted to announce the release of a success story about its customer, Helly Hansen.
During the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the renowned Norwegian outdoor performance brand was able to save weeks’ worth of time during its product development process with the ability to quickly create and review 3D samples created within Centric Software’s Product Lifecycle Management (PLM). Centric Software provides the most innovative enterprise solutions to fashion, retail, footwear, outdoor, luxury, consumer goods and home décor companies to achieve strategic and operational digital transformation goals.
Founded in Norway in 1877, Helly Hansen is a leader in technical sailing and performance ski apparel, as well as premium workwear, with its outerwear, base layers, sportswear and footwear sold in more than 40 countries. The company has developed numerous first-to-market innovations, including the first supple waterproof fabrics more than 140 years ago, and today its ski uniforms are worn and trusted by more than 55,000 professionals around the world, including Olympians, National Teams and more than 200 ski resorts and mountain guiding operations.
As well as struggling with data management, visibility and version control across multiple software platforms, when the Helly Hansen group acquired MUSTO in 2018, integrating a new brand brought additional challenges.
“Before Centric PLM™, one of our biggest challenges was a lack of accountability, with each department using different tools and platforms. We’re growing fast and, in order to develop innovative, high-quality products efficiently, we needed a clear overview of who was doing what, where and when,” says Ferdinand Diener, Process and Quality Manager at Helly Hansen.
Helly Hansen implemented Centric PLM in just six months while also merging with MUSTO. One of the biggest initial benefits for Helly Hansen was the ability to get both brands onto one platform very quickly.
“Because Centric PLM is so fast and easy to use, people are able to do a more thorough job, create more products and improve quality oversight,” says Diener. “We’re a quality-driven, innovation-focused brand, so this is critical.”
What’s more, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic with social distancing imposed and travel halted, it was difficult to review physical samples, with sample production severely delayed, or even cancelled altogether.
However, with innovative digital solutions provided by Centric PLM and 3D Connect technology giving expanded 3D functionality to PLM users, Helly Hansen has been able to adapt to recent market disruptions, improving the efficiency of its communications across different departments, particularly around sample production. There was the added benefit of becoming more sustainable in the process and reducing their carbon footprint due to a decreased need for physical samples, reduced shipping, material waste, etc.
“Centric’s 3D Connector now helps us with communication, and we can do things last minute that we couldn’t have done previously. For example, if a physical sample isn’t available, or we don’t want to wait weeks for a prototype to arrive, we can create a 3D version in a matter of hours,” says designer Mhairi Bannerman, who works within the ski and sailing team on Helly Hansen’s technical garments.
How did Helly Hansen embark on its Centric PLM adventure?
Helly Hansen (www.hellyhansen.com)
Founded in Norway in 1877, Helly Hansen is a leader in technical sailing and performance ski apparel, as well as premium workwear. Through insights drawn from living and working in the world’s harshest environments, the company has developed a long list of first-to-market innovations, including the first supple waterproof fabrics more than 140 years ago. Other breakthroughs include the first fleece fabrics in the 1960s, the first technical base layers in the 1970s, made with Lifa Technology, and today’s award winning and patented H2Flow™ temperature regulating system.
More recently, for AW20 the brand launched Lifa Infinity Pro, a fully waterproof and breathable membrane that naturally repels water. The water repellent protection is everlasting so it will never need to be reproofed with chemical treatment.
Sold in more than 40 countries, its ski uniforms are worn and trusted by more than 55,000 professionals and can be found on Olympians, National Teams, and at more than 200 ski resorts and mountain guiding operations around the world.
To learn more about Helly Hansen’s latest collections, visit www.hellyhansen.com.
Centric Software (www.centricsoftware.com)
From its headquarters in Silicon Valley, Centric Software provides a Digital Transformation Platform for the most prestigious names in fashion, retail, footwear, luxury, outdoor and consumer goods including cosmetics, beauty, food and beverage. Centric’s flagship Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) platform, Centric 8, delivers enterprise-class merchandise planning, product development, sourcing, quality and collection management functionality tailored for fast-moving consumer industries. Centric SMB provides innovative PLM technology and key industry learnings for emerging brands. Centric Visual Innovation Platform (VIP) offers a new fully visual and digital experience for collaboration and decision-making and includes the Centric Buying Board to transform internal buying sessions and maximize retail value and the Centric Concept Board for driving creativity and evolving product concepts. All Centric innovations shorten time to market, boost product innovation and reduce costs.
Centric Software is majority-owned by Dassault Systèmes (Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA), the world leader in 3D design software, 3D Digital Mock Up and PLM solutions.
Centric Software has received multiple industry awards and recognition, including being named by Red Herring to its Top 100 Global list in 2013, 2015 and 2016. Centric also received various excellence awards from Frost & Sullivan in 2012, 2016, 2018 and 2021.
Centric Software is a registered trademark of Centric Software Inc. All other brands and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
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Centric Software
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