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 Shark
Group was originally set up in 1965 to manufacture marine
leisure products such as wetsuits (photographs are from
the 1966 catalogue).
For a number of years the
company was extremely successful in the marine leisure
market, but during the 1980s, its markets came under
pressure from strong Far Eastern penetration. Shark
Group then developed new markets for more technical
products, creating competitive advantage from innovation
in specialist niches, such as the survival products
niche of the Offshore Oil and Gas industry.
In the late 1980s and early
1990s, Shell Expro and Esso sponsored the company in a
£1million development programme aimed at increasing the
survivability of helicopter passengers travelling to and
from offshore installations. This resulted in the development
of innovative new products, such as the Air Pocket Helicopter
Emergency Underwater Breathing System, a range of helicopter
passenger survival suits and thermal linings and an advanced
clothing technology.
In
today's fast changing world, Shark Group are continuing
to develop innovative solutions which anticipate the
needs of their customers, creating differentiated products
for a wide range of specialist markets.
 Most
recently the company has launched a range of technical
clothing for hunting, shooting, fishing, bird watching
and general outdoor activities in RealTree® camouflage
and traditional Loden Green, and a range of technical clothing.
It
has also developed the Life Jacket Airpocket Plus, a combined lefejacket and re-breather, which is in service in the oil and gas industry, and the Shark Military Rebreather, for military markets..
Shark
Group's leading edge products have helped sailors, mountaineers
and explorers meet some of the world's toughest challenges
in greater comfort and safety on Round the World Races,
Everest ascents, solo circumnavigations and Polar expeditions.
Their
Nomex Gore-tex helicopter passenger suits and rebreather
systems help protect Oil and Gas industry workers in
inhospitable environments all over the world, including
the North Sea, the Caspian Sea area and Russia. The
company's commitment to innovation, training, quality
and overall excellence has been recognized by a number
of prestigious awards, including the Barclay's
Northern Business Award
for the Best Small Company.
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