40 YEARS OF OUTDOOR INNOVATION

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1 40 YEARS OF OUTDOOR INNOVATION

2 Celebrating 40 years of Outdoor This book is dedicated to everyone who is part of the story of Nikwax.

3 What led me to start Nikwax back in 1977? Firstly, as an outdoor person who backpacked in the mountains, I wanted to have dry and comfortable feet. Secondly, as a young person having just finished university, I had to earn a living. The two needs came together to form Nikwax, a business that first focused on looking after, and waterproofing, leather mountain boots. Even though my focus was on a tiny detail in the outdoor gear portfolio, I wanted to do as well as I could, and, in due course with a minimal environmental impact. Invention, innovation and care for the environment The Nikwax water-based products were the first garment waterproofing products to effectively replace aerosols. Designed to be applied in a washing machine, easy and safe to use. For every waterproofing aerosol spray that we replaced, we avoided the release of hundreds of grams of harmful propellant and solvent into the atmosphere, saving hundreds and then thousands of tonnes of pollution per year. Nikwax aims to be a good example PFC free In the last ten years, and especially in the last 5 years, the Nikwax business has started to have influence. We were the first outdoor company to actively campaign for the removal of seriously polluting PFCs from the environment. From the year 2000, when alarm bells about the materials sounded, we have continuously communicated the reason why we do not use them, and campaigned to educate the outdoor industry about the dangers associated with PFCs. I am delighted that finally, with the powerful influence of Greenpeace, more and more manufacturers are withdrawing from the use of PFCs. 40 years of carbon balancing to combat Climate Change We recognise that climate change is going to be one of the greatest challenges for future generations, and is already destabilising the outdoor industry, influencing snow and rainfall, and bringing extreme and unpredictable weather. 10 years ago, Nikwax decided to balance the carbon emissions coming from our manufacturing and operational processes by restoring forest cover in partnership with the World Land Trust. The forest we restore sucks the CO 2 we emit back out of the atmosphere, and additionally protects endangered species and promotes bio-diversity. At the same time, we decided to balance our historic emissions, going back 10 years. In 2017, we achieved 20 years of carbon balancing. We then looked back at the sum our sales for the first 20 years of Nikwax, and found that it was equivalent only one year in So, this year we are carbon balancing the remaining operations from day 1 to year 20, by re-growing more forest. By the end of 2017 our operations will have been carbon balanced for 40 years. We would like to show other companies how easy it is to take this step. If all companies balanced their operational emissions, the world would be carbon neutral. The future Naturally, we expect people who spend a lot of time enjoying the outdoors to look after the environment. There is no perfect behaviour, but we would like to encourage our customers, and our colleagues to think hard about how they can best protect what they care for. Nick Brown CEO

4 NIKWAX WAS THE FIRST OUTDOOR COMPANY......to produce non-softening waterproofing wax for leather mountain boots Existing waxes softened leather too much, so it lost its shape and support. A non-softening waterproofing wax. Treated boots keep their shape, so are waterproof yet supportive, improving comfort and performance, and extending their useful life.

5 NIKWAX WAS THE FIRST OUTDOOR COMPANY......to develop water-based waterproofing for clothing that can be used in a washing machine Aftercare waterproofing products were difficult to use, wasteful and time-consuming to apply; many also required heat to activate them. An aftercare waterproofing treatment applied by simple washing in a standard domestic washing-machine, with no requirement for heat activation. Easy application, encouraging regular maintenance, and resulting in improved product performance, with reduced time and product wastage for consumers.

6 NIKWAX IS THE ONLY OUTDOOR COMPANY......to manufacture an entire range of water-based waterproofing products and has never used aerosols Existing waterproofing products contained solvents or aerosol propellants, which are known to have a damaging impact on the environment. Develop a range of high performance, solvent-free, water-based waterproofing products, that can be easily applied without using harmful aerosol propellants. A range of waterproofing products that are totally safe to use and store, and present minimal environmental impact.

7 NIKWAX IS THE FIRST AND ONLY OUTDOOR COMPANY......to carbon balance its operations for forty years Human industrial activity emits huge amounts of CO 2, contributing to climate change and long-term environmental damage. Balance the operational* carbon footprint of the business through reforestation schemes operated by the internationally recognised World Land Trust. Nikwax is able to expand its operations while limiting its overall environmental impact. * Operational means the carbon emitted in producing and selling Nikwax products

8 NIKWAX IS THE FIRST AND ONLY OUTDOOR COMPANY......to win the Queen s Award for Sustainable Development Very few outdoor brands championed sustainable development, and outdoor enthusiasts had no real alternatives to products made from materials that were harmful to the environment. A business model centred specifically around sustainability and environmental protection. An entire range of innovative products and materials developed for high performance but with low environmental impact.

9 WE RE ALSO THE ONLY COMPANY......to develop PFC-free hydrophobic down that withstands a minutes IDFB 18A shake test This controlled experiment in Iceland was designed to specifically demonstrate the waterproofing capabilities of Nikwax Hydrophobic Down. Sleeping bags should never be used as flotation devices. DO NOT try to replicate this experiment. Down jackets and sleeping bags normally lose their insulating properties when they become wet, rendering them almost useless and potentially exposing the user to the risk of hypothermia. The world s only PFC-free water-repellent down insulation that has undertaken the minutes IDFB 18A shake test and the best at maintaining thermal qualities and loft, even when wet. Users stay warmer, safer and drier in all weathers.

10 ZERO FLUOROCARBON (PFC) NIKWAX WAS THE FIRST OUTDOOR COMPANY......to use PFC-free chemicals in its entire range of products WATER BASED PFCs, commonly used in waterproofing products and clothing caused (and are continuing to cause) long-term damage to the environment, human and animal health. A range of entirely PFC-free waterproofing products, fabrics and materials. High performance waterproofing, with low environmental impact.

11 NIKWAX WAS THE FIRST OUTDOOR COMPANY......to be listed in The Sunday Times Green List Many businesses make misleading claims about their green credentials or ignore environmental issues completely. Leading the industry by being the first outdoor company to be listed in the Green list, which acknowledges businesses that are making fundamental changes to the way they operate for the good of the planet. Independent, accredited recognition of our business approach to addressing the issues facing the planet.

12 NIKWAX WAS THE FIRST COMPANY......to manufacture high performance directional waterproof fabric systems that do not require a membrane or coating ESCAPING MOISTURE NIKWAX ANALOGY BASELAYER SKIN Membranes get clogged by dirt and other contaminants, preventing condensed sweat from moving away from the body, leaving users cold, wet and uncomfortable. Development of the only fabric system that actively directs both water vapour AND liquid water away from the body inside the garment, whilst maintaining waterproofing on the outside. Outdoor clothing that keeps users drier and more comfortable, is lighter and quieter, yet exceptionally tough and durable. Photo: Jari Peltomäki by Alexander Koenders

13 NIKWAX WAS THE FIRST OUTDOOR COMPANY......to manufacture PFC-free waterproof, breathable and directional fabric systems Existing high-performance, waterproof outdoor fabric systems have significant environmental impact as they use hazardous chemicals in their manufacturing process or supply chain. Nikwax Analogy - a high performance, PFC-free and sustainably manufactured waterproof outdoor fabric system. High performance, waterproof clothing that is also environmentally friendly.

14 NIKWAX WAS THE FIRST COMPANY......to develop a tent cleaner that revitalises water repellency and provides UV protection Tent fabrics deteriorate when exposed to UV light. They also require regular cleaning and waterproofing to maintain performance. A single PFC-free product that cleans, revitalises water repellency and provides UV protection. Up to 50% increase in the serviceable life of a tent with a single, easy application.

15 40 YEARS OF RECOGNISED OUTDOOR INNOVATION Country Walking and Trail Walker Award for - Aqueous Wax Outdoor Writers Guild Award Golden Boot Award Best In Test Award, Norway Queen s Award, Export Achievement Outdoor Writers Guild Award Golden Boot Award National Languages for Export Regional Award Winner Queen s Award, Export Achievement National Languages for Export National Award Winner National Languages for Export Regional Award Winner Queen s Award for Enterprise International Trade International Business Awards Languages for Export International Business Awards Highly Commended Corporate Exporter of the Year 2007 ISO 9001 Certification Green Apple Award Bronze award for Manufacturing Sunday Times Green Award Best Green Companies ISO Environmental Management System Certification Sunday Times Green Award Best Green Companies Walk magazine Reader Awards Gold Best Other Walking Product What Mountain Bike magazine TX.Direct voted best wash-in 2011 OHSAS Certification 2013 Walk magazine Reader Awards Gold Best Other Walking Product Walk magazine Reader Awards Silver Best Ethical Walking Brand Outdoor Green s Award 3rd place (Germany/Austria) The Queen s Awards For Enterprise Sustainable Development OutDoor Industry Award Nikwax Down Wash Direct in the Sustainable s category 2000 Millennium Products Award WaterBased Footwear Range 2009 Kauftipp in Outdoor Magazine SoftShell Proof (Germany/Austria) 2011 Outdoor Industry Award for exceptional products 2016 Judges Special TGO Award Sustainability product of the year NATIONAL LANGUAGES FOR EXPORT AWARDS 2003 REGIONAL WINNER

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