About us
The story about us – LESS – A small company in Toten – Norway, with a big heart for preparedness.
Phone
+ 47 61 16 00 55
We are based at Toten – Norway, with a lovely view over Norways biggest lake Mjøsa. Here we develop and sell products and solutions within preparedness and evacuation to the whole world: from Spitsbergen in the north to Antarctica in the south.
It is our passion for preparedness that motivates and drives us. A desire to contribute to simplifying the work rescue teams do around the world, in the worst possible scenarios.
Our task is to find solutions that can provide dramatic improvements in handling hypothermia, triage, patient evacuation in mass casualties and contaminated damage sites.
Being able to solve the needs of those in these situations, gives us the best feeling in the world. And that is why we never give up, no matter how heavy and demanding it may be at times.
We are most comfortable being a small company. Among other things, because it gives us short decision lines and the ability to move fast.
So our ambitions are not about becoming very big. However, we have very big ambitions to deliver the best products and solutions to you, you that help all the rest of us, when we need it most.
Our story
It all began in September 2003, when LESS AS was founded. The background was a development project that started in the Gjøvik-based company Molift AS / Møller Vital AS.
This development project was based on an idea from doctor Bjørn Høivik.
He saw a need for a light ambulance stretcher.
This should follow the patient from the scene of injury to the operating table, via X-ray, without “reloading”.
In this way, it would be possible to reduce the risk of further aggravation of injuries.
The research behind
Thanks to an OFU (public research and development) contract from Innovation Norway and other funding we could start to the process.
LESS developed both the stretcher concept with accessory products and an in-house production line during the period from 2003 to 2005.
This was the starting point for several years of close collaboration with SINTEF and other R&D environments in connection with material technology and load tests / external stress tests.
In connection with the OFU project, there was collaboration with the ambulance service at Sykehuset Innlandet.
Later, the Norwegian Civil Defense and key personnel in the 330 squadron in the Norwegian Armed Forces and the Norwegian Air Ambulance have also been important partners.
With their input we have developed a complete product range with stretchers, accessories and own products to prevent heat loss and protect against hypothermia.
The launch of the stretcher – our first product
The LESS stretchers were launched at the turn of the year 2005/06.
Then a large delivery were made to the UN’s emergency stockpile for disasters.
This was in addition to deliveries of stretchers to hospitals and ambulance services.
Ups and downs
In 2007 LESS received the prestigious Mark for Good Norwegian Design!
As well as one of 4 candidates (among the 47 who received the Mark for Good Design) for the Honorary Award.
In connection with the award, emphasis was placed on the unique properties of the stretchers and accessories, the low weight and the functional design.
In the years that followed, we developed more products, improved the production processes and found new suppliers.
Then one day
Just before 3 p.m., Friday 26 February 2021, a fire starts in our premises.
It wasn’t until three hours after the fire was reported that the fire service got control of the danger of spreading.
About one hour later they had the fire under control. Our premises were completely damaged and the warehouse was lost.
Now suddenly it was us who were in a crisis.
This could have been the end of our story
But Monday the following week we were back in business – on temporary premises – and with some delays in deliveries.
But our customers showed great understanding and patience.
However, the production of our emergency stretcher was hit harder – the mold we used to produce the stretchers was destroyed in the fire.
We therefore accelerated the work on the further development of the stretcher system.
At the same time we connected with several subcontractors who could assist us with replacement products in the meantime.
In February 2023 – two years after the fire – we were finally able to launch the new emergency stretcher. With the same properties as the old one, but now produced 100% from recycled plastic – and fully recyclable.
It is never that bad, that it’s good for anything.
Where are we today?
Our story continues and now we are working to increase the production of our stretcher in order to meet the demand. While at the same time we are developing new products.
We are constantly looking for new partners and challenges that we can solve.
We will continue to prove that you can run a small company in Norway, use the local business community and still have the whole world as a market.
So get in touch with us if you want to help write our story further.
If you have an idea, a challenge or just want to talk a bit about subjects, we are more than happy to have a chat with you.