Interview with Michael Folmer Kristensen, Project Manager at Viking
Viking’s core business is to protect and rescue lives all over the world. Therefore, they need every single component on their equipment to be produced in perfect quality. At Carmo, Viking found a partner who could both develop, produce and deliver a buoyancy lock for their life jackets in the highest quality.
Viking manufactures rescue equipment in high quality for professionel use. Their life jackets must be able to withstand severe weather and traction, and therefore the buoyancy lock must possess enormous strength as it holds the entire life jacket together. Michael Folmer Kristensen is Project Manager at Viking and was responsible for the development of the buoyancy lock.
“Our equipment must save lives. If the buoyancy lock breaks, the person will lose buoyancy, because the life jacket goes apart. Thus, the lock is crucial for the functionality of the life jacket. For this reason, it was important for us to develop the component with Carmo, since they have an in-depth knowledge og plastic materials and the development of components tailored to the needs of the customers.”
Michael Folmer Kristensen, Project Manager at Viking
Read more about the development of customized solutions at Carmo
Viking and Carmo have worked together earlier, and therefore it was an easy choice for Viking to turn to Carmo for the development of this specific product. The two companies each have their experience and professional knowledge, and this has strengthened the collaboration in the over two years long development process.
“We came with a knowledge about rescue and security equipment and what the product should be able to withstand. Carmo came with knowledge about plastic materials as well as knowledge about development and calculations of that type of products. So, the collaboration has been rewarding from start to finish.”
Michael Folmer Kristensen, Project Manager at Viking
Simple turning function solves basic challenges
One of the challenges when developing the buoyancy lock was that the inflatable bladder of the life jacket and the cover should be easy to put together and disassemble again. The problem was solved by making a simple turning function, where the two parts are locked together by turning them 90 degrees.
“Even though the product looks simple, it solves some major challenges for us. It is extremely easy to assemble and disassemble the two parts. And the great advantage of the parts being able to be disassembled is partly that the cover can be washed in a machine, and partly that you can put a new bladder in if the old one punctures.”
Michael Folmer Kristensen, Project Manager at Viking
Viking makes a living by providing security, so it was absolutely essential for them to choose the right partner. And even though the development took time, it was worth the wait, because Viking now has a sub-product for their life jackets that meets all safety requirements.
“We use the buoyancy lock on 90 percent of our inflatable life jackets, so it was important to develop something that has the strength to hold the life jacket together and that is easy for the employees to use. Together with Carmo, we have developed a product that has exactly the functions and strengths we need to complete a robust vest with the greatest possible safety.”
Michael Folmer Kristensen, Project Manager at Viking