Viking Corporation - Experts & Thought Leaders

One and a half years before INTERSCHUTZ 2026, many well-known companies have already confirmed their participation in the world's renowned trade fair for firefighting, rescue, and civil protection in Hanover. International market majors, such as Rosenbauer, Dräger, and Desautel are among the confirmed exhibitors. In total, nearly 450 exhibitors have registered, covering approximately 38,000 square meters of exhibition space. This accounts for more than a third of the total planned space. Exhibitors can still benefit from the early bird rate, which is available until 31 December 2024. Commitment to INTERSCHUTZ In total, 450 exhibitors have registered, covering about 38,000 square meters of exhibition space In addition to Rosenbauer, Dräger, and Desautel, companies such as Binz Automotive, BAI, BMW, Business France, Fireco, FireDos, GSF Sonderfahrzeuge, Haix, Josef Lentner, Lakeland, Maleco, MSA, MUNK, Schlingmann, S-GARD, Schmitz Feuerwehrtechnik, Tatra Trucks, Texport, VIKING Life-Saving Equipment, Volkan, WEBER-HYDRAULIK, Wietmarscher Ambulanz + Sonderfahrzeug, and WISS have also confirmed their participation. "The clear commitment to INTERSCHUTZ by many market pioneers a year and a half before the trade fair is an important signal to the entire industry. In view of global crises, climate change, and natural disasters, the message that companies send by participating in INTERSCHUTZ is very significant," says Bernd Heinold, Head of INTERSCHUTZ at Deutsche Messe. Foster essential international exchange Bernd Heinold adds, "In 2026, INTERSCHUTZ will focus on the innovations of tomorrow that will make our future safer under the motto 'Safeguarding Tomorrow' and foster essential international exchange between decision-makers from politics, business, science, and aid organizations." He continues, "Key themes will include how we network internationally, how communication and knowledge transfer can succeed, what networks need to work together, and how AI can enhance these processes in the future. By participating in INTERSCHUTZ, the registered companies have chosen to invest in the future."

Henrik Helsinghof will return to VIKING as CEO in June to ensure a continuity of leadership. The appointment of Henrik Helsinghof follows the sad death of former CEO, Henrik Uhd Christensen in January, following a short illness. Henrik Helsinghof had previously been identified by Henrik Uhd Christensen and the VIKING Board of Directors as a possible successor. Henrik Helsinghof's appointment therefore ensures continuity while also bringing new perspectives to VIKING's leadership team. Returning to VIKING to drive success He joined VIKING from Bramidan A/S, where he was CEO for three years, overseeing a period of continuous improvement Henrik Helsinghof began his career in VIKING in 2006 as a student assistant and remained with the company for 14 years, holding various positions, including Managing Director of VIKING Nadiro. He joined VIKING from Bramidan A/S, where he was CEO for three years, overseeing a period of continuous improvement. Jens Lindholm, the Chairman of the Board of VIKING A/S, comments: “We are extremely pleased to welcome Henrik to our leadership team as CEO. He is a dynamic leader with a proven track record and a passion for company development through people." Jens Lindholm adds, "He is also a true VIKING at heart. As such, he shares our values, culture, and passion. With his past experience of VIKING and recent successes as a CEO, Henrik is the ideal person to take our company forward. He has the full backing of the Board and owner, the Claus Sørensen Foundation, and we look forward to working with Henrik as we build the VIKING of the future.” Building on the success of the BP25 business plan In his new role, Henrik Helsinghof will continue VIKING’s positive development. VIKING is currently defining a new strategy – BP28 – that builds and expands on the success of its existing BP25 strategy. Henrik Helsinghof is looking forward, stating: "It is a great honor to lead VIKING and build upon the strong foundation of growth, innovation and industry leadership laid by my predecessor and leadership team." Henrik Helsinghof adds, "Together, with the talented leadership team at VIKING and our colleagues around the world, we will continue to innovate, serve our customers with excellence, and lead our company and industry forward."

VIKING Life-Saving Equipment launches a new Walk-to-Work crew transfer suit that overcomes a cumbersome feature of offshore wind turbine maintenance procedures without compromising safety, further strengthening its reputation for innovation in the renewables sector. The new VIKING YouSafe™ Walk-to-Work is a one-size immersion suit airtight packed into a bag that is attached to the user’s lifejacket instead of being worn during the transfer between support vessels and offshore installations. Sealed in a protective bag, the lightweight VIKING YouSafe™ Walk-to-Work suit has been developed in cooperation with offshore wind and Oil & Gas operators. Supporting crew transfer Crews landing on wind tower platforms from support vessels wear their one-hour immersion suits during transfer. Once on the platform, the immersion suits are simply set aside so that crews can attach their harnesses and get on with maintenance work. One issue is the time-consuming donning and doffing process; the other issue is that when not being used, the suits are exposed to the elements. Minimizing risk should also involve making the safest option the easiest one to choose” Discussions on whether crews need to wear immersion suits are still a hot topic in the industry. “VIKING has decided to rise to the challenge to support crew transfer whether they continue to wear an immersion suit or carry it with them, because carrying an immersion suit brings its own challenges,” says Bettina Kjærgaard, Global Product Manager, Offshore Wind, VIKING Life-Saving Equipment. “Minimizing risk should also involve making the safest option the easiest one to choose.” Standard inflatable lifejackets Transferring while holding a tool bag and an immersion suit bag could be awkward for a crew member or even involve two journeys, she points out, while the vessel’s watch would not be able to see through the bridge rails whether crews are compliant. “The VIKING YouSafe™ immersion suit bag has been optimized for use with the well-established VIKING YouSafe™ Pro lifejacket and is compatible with most standard inflatable lifejackets used by professionals,” says Kjærgaard. “All compliance issues are satisfied and, if anything, compliance becomes easier than non-compliance. Attached to the lifejacket’s back via strong Velcro straps, the suit bag is clearly visible to the officer on watch while the user has free hands hold on to the rail.”  Wind farm technicians The number of wind farm technicians continues to grow rapidly and this market is demanding innovation" Tens of thousands of one-hour immersion suits are in circulation to serve the offshore industry in Europe alone. Kjærgaard says that the new SOLAS-approved VIKING YouSafe™ Walk-to-Work suit has already secured its first orders. “For example, the number of wind farm technicians continues to grow rapidly and this market is demanding innovation and better quality in the solutions offered to keep crews safe. The VIKING YouSafe™ immersion suit is smarter from the safety perspective because it is always available from the moment the lifejacket goes on. It wins on ease of use because compliance provides greater freedom of movement during the transfer.”  Turbine evacuation kit With a three-year service life expectancy, the VIKING YouSafe™ Walk-to-Work immersion suit is also substantially lighter, weighing just 1.37kg, compared to 4.6kg for a typical immersion suit used in this application, while still maintaining its protective qualities. “I am sure this will be as interesting to the Oil & Gas market as it has already proved among our wind energy customers”, says Kjærgaard.  The VIKING YouSafe™ Walk-to-Work immersion suit is also substantially lighter ​​​​​​​Kjærgaard adds that the VIKING YouSafe™ Walk-to-Walk immersion suit is the latest outcome of VIKING’s ‘top to bottom review’ of all equipment used in crew transportation, transfer, and evacuation in the offshore wind sector. Its launch follows VIKING’s new all-on-one wind turbine evacuation kit, which includes the VIKING YouSafe™ Hightide suit with integral rescue harnesses, gloves, and lowering device. Hands-Free protection The solution is robust enough to support an outside descent and has the built-in buoyancy for the user can stay in the water until rescuers arrive. ​​​​​​​Revolutionary design with a focus on high mobility and a perfect fit. The VIKING YouSafe™ Vanguard lifejacket is for use by professionals in harsh environments such as Offshore Wind Energy and Offshore Oil & Gas. The VIKING YouSafe™ Walk to Work immersion suit in a pouch can be attached to the back of the VIKING YouSafe™ Vanguard lifejacket for hands-free protection.