Hailcover project part 2

Offentlig prosjektsammendrag

AutoSock Operations AS ("ASO") has been producing the market's leading alternative to snow chain for two decades. The company is located in the Fred. Olsen headquarter and has distributors with well established sales networks in over 60 countries. ASO's products are among the only certified and legal alternatives to traditional metal chains in large parts of the world, especially in the US, the EU and Japan. AutoSock products are made of textile rather than metal, which saves the end users both weight, installation time and costs. End users range from private individuals to public rescue services, airports and transport companies. AutoSock are available for passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, heavy duty trucks and forklifts. With less than 30 different sizes, AutoSock covers more than 700 different tire dimensions. Now, ASO wants to use its experience from the automotive and textile industry to develop a product that protects vehicles against damage from hail. Hail damage to vehicles is a huge insurance element in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and a well-protected vehicle can also provide shelter for end users. In Germany, the annual cost of hail damage to vehicles has exceeded NOK 16 billion (2013). In North America, the market is considerably larger, with exposed regions along the "Hail Alley" in the southwest and midwest. In Europe, Southern Germany, Switzerland and Northern Italy are facing more frequent hail storms with increasing damages on vehicles and buildings. Overall, extreme weather events are on the rise worldwide and ASO will introduce a product that appeals to both end users and insurance companies.