Ursuit and Gore-Tex – 40 Years of Partnership for Demanding Conditions

In the early stages of the cooperation, Ursuit identified a need to elevate suit manufacturing quality to meet growing market demands. A significant factor was also the increasing demand for SOLAS-approved suits. Gore-Tex brought material expertise and performance to this development, enabling the creation of increasingly reliable solutions for professional use.

Decades of collaboration have resulted in numerous high-quality products, particularly for demanding professional and authority use. The strength of the partnership is also reflected in its continuity: the bond has remained strong through several changes in ownership. Behind this is a shared goal of creating the best products on the market and developing them by genuinely listening to customer needs.

The secret of this long-standing collaboration is a shared passion for quality, functionality, and continuous development.

"Long-term cooperation is based on several high-quality materials and operational factors, many of which are built into the companies' DNA, while others evolve over the years. Commitment to quality, understanding the partner's operating methods, open communication, and solving problems together are the essential glue when operating in demanding markets," describes Mikko Häikiö, CEO of Ursuit.

Joint Product Development in Practice

Over the years, Ursuit and Gore-Tex have collaborated on developing fabrics, tapes, as well as taping methods and machinery. This work is concretely visible in the products' performance, usability, and, above all, their long life cycle.

The significance of Gore-Tex materials for Ursuit’s products has been immense in terms of both performance and durability. Ursuit’s maintenance department still receives Gore-Tex suits that are decades old; after service and repair, they are returned to use in near-original condition.

The collaboration is most visible in the daily lives of the end-users. When products are used in extreme conditions, they must function reliably in every situation. Therefore, every material choice, structural solution, and production method is part of a whole aimed at providing the user with safety, comfort, and confidence.

A Partnership Felt in Everyday Work

"Having been with Gore for a long time, I have had the pleasure of working with Ursuit for many years – 37 years, in fact. For most of that time, I have served as the account manager for Ursuit. I remember my first visits to Ursuk, as the company was called back then, and the small premises on Teollisuuskatu in Turku. The company has developed enormously since then," says Åke Sahlgaard from W.L. Gore & Associates.

According to Sahlgaard, Ursuit was one of the few companies that early on adopted the concept of waterproof yet breathable materials in drysuits.

"We are very pleased about this. Ursuit's professional attitude – a constant focus on the best quality and end-user performance – is a key reason why our cooperation has worked so well and continues to do so. This is a true partnership!"

Sahlgaard thanks Ursuit for the wonderful 40-year journey together.

"Throughout the years working with Ursuit, I have always experienced a friendly and welcoming atmosphere at the company, which is also an important factor in a fruitful and successful collaboration."

However, the gaze is already on the future. The next priorities in development include environmental sustainability of materials, lightness, durability, usability, and a long life cycle. The partnership between Ursuit and Gore-Tex continues to be built on the same strong principles as in 1986: the desire to develop even better products for those who demand the most from their equipment.