HELLY HANSEN INFUSES PRODUCTINNOVATION WITH THE POWER OF 3D
OUTDOOR TRAILBLAZER USES CENTRIC PLM™ TO SUPPORTAGILE, HIGH-QUALITY PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT©2021 Centric Software Inc. All rights reserved.

“Before Centric PLM, one of our biggest challenges was a lack of accountability, with eachdepartment 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 doingwhat, where and when.”Ferdinand Diener, Process and Quality Manager at Helly Hansen, explains that the outdoor brand once struggled withdata management, visibility and version control across multiple software platforms. When the Helly Hansen groupacquired MUSTO in 2018, integrating a new brand brought additional challenges. However, MUSTO had been a happy
Centric Software® customer for many years, and, in 2019, Helly Hansen decided to also implement Centric PLM toharmonize data and processes across both brands and within Helly Hansen’s own departments.
Fast forward to 2020, and no one could have imagined just how much the world would have changed in such a shortspace of time. But, with innovative digital solutions provided by Centric’s Outdoor PLM and 3D technology, Helly Hansen
has been able to adapt to recent market disruptions caused by the COVID-19 health pandemic, improving the efficiency
of its communications across different departments, especially around sample production, which many brands havestruggled to continue during restricted times.
Designer Mhairi Bannerman works within the ski and sailing team on Helly Hansen’s technical garments, and is a key
player in the adoption of 3D technology within the company, “To start with (during the pandemic), our main issues
were that we were not getting samples at all or they were months delayed. Centric’s 3D Connector now helps us withcommunication, and we can do things last minute that we couldn’t have done previously. For example, if a physicalsample isn’t available, or we don’t want to wait weeks for a prototype to arrive, we can create a 3D version within Centric
PLM in a matter of hours,” she explains.
How did Helly Hansen embark on their Centric PLM adventure?
PIONEERING PRODUCTS FOR OUTDOOR PROFESSIONALS
Helly Hansen was founded in 1877 in Norway by sea captain Helly Juell Hansen and his wife Marguerite, who discovered
an effective way of keeping sailors and fishermen dry and warm in the harsh Norwegian weather. They launched abusiness selling waterproof oilskin jackets, trousers, sou’westers and tarpaulins made from coarse linen soaked inlinseed oil. Over 140 years later, Helly Hansen is still protecting people from the elements. Today, Helly Hansen gear isworn and trusted by professionals in sailing, skiing, mountaineering and on worksites, as well as nature-lovers acrossthe world who enjoy outdoor pursuits.

CHALLENGES+ A legacy PLM in place which nolonger suited their needs+ Harmonization of data andprocesses with new brand(MUSTO)+ Issues with version control anduse of multiple software tools+ Lack of visibility between teams
and departments+ Rapid growth adding toworkload and complexity ofproduct development©2021 Centric Software Inc. All rights reserved.

Helly Hansen has a long list of first-to-market innovations developed through insights from those working and recreatingin the world’s toughest environments, including the first fleece material in 1961 and the first moisture-wicking technicalbase layers in 1970. Continuing this tradition of product innovation, Helly Hansen’s contemporary clothing featuresa unique Helly Tech® waterproof and breathable outer layer that keeps water molecules out while allowing sweat
vapor to pass through. More recently, in 2020 the brand launched its Mono Material line, a 100% recyclable collection
featuring garments with singular material construction, reducing waste by enabling garment-to-garment recycling.
EARLY CHALLENGES
Helly Hansen had a PLM solution in place prior to acquiring MUSTO, but the company was growing at tremendous
speed, and difficulties persisted with version control and a lack of integration across multiple platforms. When the HellyHansen Group acquired MUSTO, there was a clear opportunity to start afresh.
FAST, PLUG-AND-PLAY SOLUTION
Helly Hansen implemented Centric 8 PLM in just six months while merging with MUSTO, and one of the biggest initial
benefits for Helly Hansen was the speed and ease of use of the software, and the ability to integrate both brands intoone system.
“The interface is incredibly fast compared to anything we have seen before,” says Diener, “It gives us theoption to create custom views and see information as and when we like. Once Centric’s experts had takencare of the initial configuration, we were able to basically set up the system ourselves and make changes as
users required.”“The Centric consultants performed a thorough global analysis of our situation and confidently adapted the solution
and integration possibilities to our needs. Because Centric PLM is so fast and easy to use, people are able to do a morethorough job, create more products and improve quality oversight. We’re a quality-driven, innovation-focused brand,so this is critical.”
ADAPTING TO NEW CHALLENGES WITH 3D
The power of Centric PLM has really come into its own during the challenges of theCOVID-19 pandemic, when Helly Hansen has had to keep its sample production
going, despite crippling restrictions. The solution: Centric 3D Connect.
Mhairi Bannerman describes the knock-on effects of 2020’s marketplace
disruptions, “At the start of the pandemic, when it came to sales meetings,
nobody had any samples...We go through lots of prototype rounds, and if wehave to miss one of those rounds due to lack of time, we usually have to cancel
the style or postpone it until next season, as we can’t produce a garment withouta certain number of prototypes.”
In order to improve the clarity of communication and leave less margin for error,
the company’s next digital sales meeting will use 3D renderings created within
Centric 3D Connect.
“In comparison to a flat sketch, a 3D rendering is miles ahead, and it enables us
to communicate much easier with vendors from the start,” says Mhairi, “It’s amuch more efficient process, as you suddenly see exactly what the designer hasin mind, not an artistic interpretation of an illustrated sketch. You see the ratios
and sizes of different things and where the cut lines should be. So, not only are
we able to see prototypes in 3D weeks before physical ones are available, but thefinal iteration is going to be a step up from what it would have been previously.”©2021 Centric Software Inc. All rights reserved.

SUPPORTING SUSTAINABILITYRESULTSThe recent disruption to supply chains has made consumers+ One-click overview of all datamuch more aware of where products are sourced from, and how+ Eliminated silo mentality,
improving visibility across teams

they are made. Improving transparency between the business and+ Users able to handle greater
workloads and hit deadlines
more easily

the consumer has always been an important objective for Helly
Hansen, with Centric PLM supporting their sustainability initiatives.

+ Improvements in quality
oversight, critical for qualitydriven brandMhairi comments that, “I think the Nordics is one of the key drivers
for sustainability in general, whether that’s sustainability throughuse of digital or otherwise. I think nature is very ingrained in people+ Fewer meetings, emails anddelays waiting for information

here, and they are more conscious of preserving the naturalenvironment. In the world at the moment, all brands should be+ Use of innovative 3D technology
dramatically improves speed andaccuracy

striving to be more sustainable. At Helly Hansen, we are working
towards being as sustainable as we possibly can.”A NEW WORLD OF POSSIBILITIESIf Helly Hansen has learned anything in the past six months, it isthat 3D technology is now a vital part of the sample process, andbrands can no longer think of 3D as ‘an experiment on the side’.

“WE CAN CREATE“3D needs to be growing within the company. And along with 3D

A 3D SAMPLE

comes the potential of digital showrooms and augmented reality,”

WITHIN CENTRIC

says Mhairi. “3D has opened up a whole new world of possibilities,
and it’s exciting times, despite the current situation we are seeing

PLM IN A MATTER

all over the world. It’s ignited something that has started a whole

OF HOURS.

this challenging situation.”©2021 Centric Software Inc. All rights reserved.

“ball rolling, and I think there will be some good things to come from

ABOUT HELLY HANSENFounded in Norway in 1877, Helly Hansen is a leader in technical sailing and performance ski apparel, as wellas 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, afully waterproof and breathable membrane that naturally repels water. The water repellent protection iseverlasting so it will never need to be reproofed with chemical treatment.
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.
Helly Hansen’s outerwear, base layers, sportswear and footwear are sold in more than 40 countries andtrusted by outdoor professionals and enthusiasts around the world. To learn more about Helly Hansen’s latest
collections, visit www.hellyhansen.com.
ABOUT CENTRIC SOFTWARE
From its headquarters in Silicon Valley, Centric Software provides a Digital Transformation Platform for themost 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 drivingcreativity and evolving product concepts. All Centric innovations shorten time to market, boost productinnovation 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.

www.centricsoftware.com© 2021 Centric Software, Inc. All rights reserved. Centric Software is a registered trademark of Centric Software Inc.
All other brands and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.