30 OCT – The Norwegian Minister of Defence Bjørn Arild Gram visited NFM Group’s headquarters in Norway on Friday 25th of October. The purpose of the visit was to give the Minister and the leadership of the Ministry of Defense an insight of NFM’s position, capacities and activities in the Norwegian defense industry.
This was the first time Gram visited NFM Group, which is Norway’s third largest company in the defense industry. The delegation included political adviser in the Ministry of Defense, Ingrid Nikoline Sand and adviser Håkon Jahr, as well as expedition manager in the investment department, Anders Melheim, and senior communications adviser, Asgeir Spange Brekke.
Walter Øverland, CEO and one of the founders of NFM, presented the company’s history which began in 1996, when he and three other active members of the Norwegian defense wanted to improve their issued equipment. They began by redesigning combat vests, and shortly after the four partners received their first order from the Norwegian Armed Forces.
To meet the increasing demands, the first factory was opened in Poland. Today, NFM has over 1,000 employees spread over seven production and sales locations in Europe and the USA, with an annual result of around NOK 3 billion.
The history and strong growth of the NFM is impressive, noted the Minister of Defense. It is incredible how NFM has gone from 0 to 100 in so few years.
THE COMBAT VEST PROGRAM AND PRODUCTS
NFM has recently completed the first delivery of 22,000 new and complete combat vest systems to the Norwegian Armed Forces, which will give Norwegian soldiers access to one of the world’s most modern and modular systems. This has been developed through good cooperation between NFM, the Norwegian Defense Research Institute, Norwegian Defense Material Agency and the Norwegian Armed Forces.
The combat vest M22 is a significant upgrade of the load bearing system for Norwegian soldiers. It is scalable and can easily be adapted to different roles and missions. The vest is made of a laser-cut, innovative material that withstands absorbing water. Weighing only 1500 grams, the vest is one of the lightest on the market. The combat vest is an example of how research and development can increase soldiers’ operational ability with lighter, better and more comfortable equipment, Øverland explains.
Defense Minister Gram pointed out the need for more equipment in line with the Defense’s growth:
We plan to increase the number of conscripts by 50 percent, which entails a great need for equipment to maintain readiness. It has been very interesting to learn more about NFM and explore the possibilities for long-term cooperation locally, he said.
With the recent delivery of combat vests to the Norwegian Armed Forces as a testament of a successful cooperation, NFM sees great opportunities in the expanded cooperation across the Nordics.
With Sweden and Finland as members of NATO, the situation is now very good for more Nordic cooperation in the procurement of material. We experienced a shared positive agreement in the meeting room that the opportunities are particularly good in equipment for personal equipment and protection,said Øverland.
SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE
During the meeting, Ukraine also became an important topic, a country with an urgent need for personal protective equipment for soldiers on the front line. The Norwegian Armed Forces have already donated significant amounts of material to Ukraine. Immediately after the full-scale invasion, the Norwegian Armed Forces donated some vests from their own stock. These vests were originally manufactured by NFM.
Through social media, NFM has received feedback from Ukrainian soldiers where they express gratitude that the NFM equipment has saved their lives after surviving attacks. A direct result of the Armed Forces’ donations.
Ukraine needs significant mobilization, and we have many Norwegian soldiers who help train the Ukrainian forces. We also contribute to equipping them. With the war in Europe, it is crucial to ensure that the soldiers have the protection they need. Through direct dialogue, we want to give the industry predictability, so that they can support our common goals in the best possible way, said Gram about Norway’s efforts for Ukraine.
Øverland from NFM emphasized how important it is to have long-term plans for efficient production:
If we have a 12-month horizon, it is incredible what we can achieve. If we know what the needs are and the volumes that will come over time, we can streamline the production and make it more cost-effective for the Norwegian Ministry of Defense.
TOUR OF PRODUCTION AND THE TEST LABORATORY
The Minister of Defense and his entourage were also given a tour of NFM’s head office in Ski in Norway, where they, among other things, could experience how the company produces ballistic plates and helmets.
NFM has developed an advanced press technology that enables pressing with controlled temperature and pressure, operating with 2-3 times higher pressure than the competitors. This provides a better consolidation of the fibers and results in higher performance in the products, explained Øverland.
At NFM headquarters we have our own test lab on site, where ballistic products are tested according to international standards. This gives access to immediate test results, before they are sent for verification at independent laboratories, ensuring a very time-efficient development process.
STRENGTHENING COLLABORATIONS
We take pride to host this important visit, having the opportunities to share our insights, achievements, and visions for the future. NFM Group will continue the strengthening our collaboration with Norwegian authorities and contribute to the ongoing efforts for the Norwegian defence.