Viking

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 used on their equipment to be produced to rigorous quality standards. At Carmo, Viking found a partner who could both develop, produce and deliver a buoyancy lock for their life jackets in the superior quality that was demanded.

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, as the life jacket comes apart. To this end, the lock is crucial for the functionality of the life jacket. It was therefore important for us to develop the component with Carmo, as they have an in-depth knowledge of plastic materials and the development expertise for components to be tailored to the needs of the customers.”

Michael Folmer Kristensen, Project Manager at Viking

Viking and Carmo have worked together prior to this project, and therefore it was an easy choice for us 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 two year 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 for that type of products. The collaboration has been rewarding from start to finish.”

Michael Folmer Kristensen, Project Manager at Viking

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