30 OCT – The Norwegian Minister of Defence Bjørn Arild Gram visited NFM Group’s headquarters in Norway on Friday twenty fifth of October. The aim of the go to was to offer the Minister and the management of the Ministry of Protection an perception of NFM’s place, capacities and actions within the Norwegian protection business.
This was the primary time Gram visited NFM Group, which is Norway’s third largest firm within the protection business. The delegation included political adviser within the Ministry of Protection, Ingrid Nikoline Sand and adviser Håkon Jahr, in addition to expedition supervisor within the funding division, Anders Melheim, and senior communications adviser, Asgeir Spange Brekke.
Walter Øverland, CEO and one of many founders of NFM, offered the corporate’s historical past which started in 1996, when he and three different energetic members of the Norwegian protection needed to enhance their issued tools. They started by redesigning fight vests, and shortly after the 4 companions obtained their first order from the Norwegian Armed Forces.
To satisfy the growing calls for, the primary manufacturing facility was opened in Poland. In the present day, NFM has over 1,000 workers unfold over seven manufacturing and gross sales areas in Europe and the USA, with an annual results of round NOK 3 billion.
The historical past and powerful development of the NFM is spectacular, famous the Minister of Protection. It’s unbelievable how NFM has gone from 0 to 100 in so few years.
THE COMBAT VEST PROGRAM AND PRODUCTS
NFM has lately accomplished the primary supply of twenty-two,000 new and full fight vest programs to the Norwegian Armed Forces, which is able to give Norwegian troopers entry to one of many world’s most fashionable and modular programs. This has been developed by means of good cooperation between NFM, the Norwegian Protection Analysis Institute, Norwegian Protection Materials Company and the Norwegian Armed Forces.
The fight vest M22 is a big improve of the load bearing system for Norwegian troopers. It’s scalable and might simply be tailored to totally different roles and missions. The vest is product of a laser-cut, revolutionary materials that withstands absorbing water. Weighing solely 1500 grams, the vest is likely one of the lightest in the marketplace. The fight vest is an instance of how analysis and improvement can improve troopers’ operational capacity with lighter, higher and extra comfy tools, Øverland explains.
Protection Minister Gram identified the necessity for extra tools consistent with the Protection’s development:
We plan to extend the variety of conscripts by 50 %, which entails a fantastic want for tools to take care of readiness. It has been very attention-grabbing to be taught extra about NFM and discover the chances for long-term cooperation domestically, he mentioned.
With the latest supply of fight vests to the Norwegian Armed Forces as a testomony of a profitable cooperation, NFM sees nice alternatives within the expanded cooperation throughout the Nordics.
With Sweden and Finland as members of NATO, the scenario is now excellent for extra Nordic cooperation within the procurement of fabric. We skilled a shared constructive settlement within the assembly room that the alternatives are significantly good in tools for private tools and safety,mentioned Øverland.
SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE
Throughout the assembly, Ukraine additionally grew to become an necessary matter, a rustic with an pressing want for private protecting tools for troopers on the entrance line. The Norwegian Armed Forces have already donated important quantities of fabric to Ukraine. Instantly after the full-scale invasion, the Norwegian Armed Forces donated some vests from their very own inventory. These vests had been initially manufactured by NFM.
By way of social media, NFM has obtained suggestions from Ukrainian troopers the place they categorical gratitude that the NFM tools has saved their lives after surviving assaults. A direct results of the Armed Forces’ donations.
Ukraine wants important mobilization, and we’ve got many Norwegian troopers who assist prepare the Ukrainian forces. We additionally contribute to equipping them. With the battle in Europe, it’s essential to make sure that the troopers have the safety they want. By way of direct dialogue, we wish to give the business predictability, in order that they will assist our widespread objectives in the absolute best method, mentioned Gram about Norway’s efforts for Ukraine.
Øverland from NFM emphasised how necessary it’s to have long-term plans for environment friendly manufacturing:
If we’ve got a 12-month horizon, it’s unbelievable what we will obtain. If we all know what the wants are and the volumes that can come over time, we will streamline the manufacturing and make it more cost effective for the Norwegian Ministry of Protection.
TOUR OF PRODUCTION AND THE TEST LABORATORY
The Minister of Protection and his entourage had been additionally given a tour of NFM’s head workplace in Ski in Norway, the place they, amongst different issues, might expertise how the corporate produces ballistic plates and helmets.
NFM has developed a sophisticated press know-how that allows urgent with managed temperature and strain, working with 2-3 instances larger strain than the opponents. This gives a greater consolidation of the fibers and leads to larger efficiency within the merchandise, defined Øverland.
At NFM headquarters we’ve got our personal check lab on web site, the place ballistic merchandise are examined in line with worldwide requirements. This offers entry to speedy check outcomes, earlier than they’re despatched for verification at impartial laboratories, guaranteeing a really time-efficient improvement course of.
STRENGTHENING COLLABORATIONS
We take satisfaction to host this necessary go to, having the alternatives to share our insights, achievements, and visions for the longer term. NFM Group will proceed the strengthening our collaboration with Norwegian authorities and contribute to the continued efforts for the Norwegian defence.
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