Before the departure of this year's expedition, the company NORTHMAN OUTDOOR s.r.o. equipped the participants of the polar expedition with Svarog socks, which, thanks to the merino wool, provide an ideal ratio of thermoregulation of the foot depending on the load with moisture wicking. The company's Brand Manager, Adam Jendřejek, said, that they were immediately attracted to the offer of testing the products in Antarctica, especially because of the verification of the exceptional durability of the thermal socks under extreme conditions. Following the expedition's return in March, and based on the evaluation of the consumer tests, the company was awarded a certificate allowing Svarog socks to use the trademark "Tested in Antarctica".
Testing the best product among thermal socks in the harsh conditions of Antarctica was a unique opportunity for NORTHMAN OUTDOOR. Throughout the expedition, the socks were exposed to a variety of weather and stresses. In addition to testing the product for the trademark Tested in Antarctica, the feedback from the polar explorers themselves was invaluable. "I am very happy that there is an opportunity for Czech brands to test their products and subject them to extreme conditions, thanks to Masaryk University and researchers," adds Adam Jendřejek, with whom we spoke about the testing and the motivation to send products to Antarctica for testing.
What was behind your decision to test socks in Antarctica by Masaryk University polar explorers?
When I heard about this opportunity, I knew right away that we had to participate. At our company, we are very focused on the quality of our products. Testing our socks in the harsh conditions of this continent was a challenge we had to take on.
How do you feel about the test result? How was the testing in Antarctica beneficial for you?
I am happy about the review. I trusted our socks, of course, but I certainly did not expect such a good feedback. It can be said that the socks passed the testing excellently. The result is also a reassurance for us that we are moving in a good direction in the company and that customers can appreciate a quality product.
How do you plan to use the acquired trademark license “Tested in Antarctica”?
We want to proudly present the trademark we have obtained for the tested Svarog merino socks on our e-shop. In September we are going to publish a new visual of the e-shop, so at the same time we will show our customers how our socks have stood up to such an inhospitable environment. At the same time, we'll be sure to tell our customers via social media. I think a lot of people will be interested in the fact that the socks have been tested in Antarctica and will want to try them out. I will be happy if more people try our socks, we have had very positive feedback from our customers and they like to come back to buy from us.
What is specific about the production of your socks? What do you pride yourself on in your production?
We focus on quality. We want the added value of the sock to be as high as possible for our customers. It all starts with the selection of quality materials. If you knit a sock from low-quality materials, you cannot expect it to have the desired functional properties and durability. We strive to constantly innovate production and the entire manufacturing process. Just this month we are installing 11 new machines from Italy. Our knitting factory is one of the largest in the Czech Republic and definitely the most modern. Output control is also important. Trained employees carefully inspect every pair to ensure that socks never reach customers with imperfections or defects.
Are you planning any further product testing or cooperation with Masaryk University in the future?
I would definitely like to test more socks in the future. It is possible that we will go into the production of a functional merino wool base layer and have it tested in a few years. Who knows?
Thanks to Masaryk University, companies have a unique opportunity to get feedback on their products and expose them to extreme conditions that they would not face during normal testing. This can also give them a competitive advantage – by obtaining a trademark and proper marketing communication they can better present the quality of the product to customers. "We publish the results of all consumer tests on our website www.tested-in-antarctica.com. There you can find information about how the product stood out, why it deserved the trademark or what its weaknesses are," explains Jana Diblík Daňková, Business Development Manager of the MU Technology Transfer Office, who is responsible for the Tested in Antarctica project.
The tested product "SVAROG – hiking merino socks" withstood the extreme conditions of Antarctica and the manufacturer has the right to mark this product with the Masaryk University trademark "Tested in Antarctica".
|
Svarog socks are available now on the manufacturer's website. |
After two years of testing, on Wednesday 12 June 2024, the company's CEO David Beránek received a certificate allowing COMETEO's product – Professional Thermometer Screen for Weather Station Sensor, to use the trademark "Tested in Antarctica".
