About us

It all began in September 2003, when LESS AS was founded. The background was a development project that started in the Gjøvik-based company Molift AS / Møller Vital AS.

This development project was based on an idea from doctor Bjørn Høivik.

He saw a need for a light ambulance stretcher.

This should follow the patient from the scene of injury to the operating table, via X-ray, without "reloading".

In this way, it would be possible to reduce the risk of further aggravation of injuries.

Thanks to an OFU (public research and development) contract from Innovation Norway and other funding we could start to the process.

LESS developed both the stretcher concept with accessory products and an in-house production line during the period from 2003 to 2005.

This was the starting point for several years of close collaboration with SINTEF and other R&D environments in connection with material technology and load tests / external stress tests.

In connection with the OFU project, there was collaboration with the ambulance service at Sykehuset Innlandet.

Later, the Norwegian Civil Defense and key personnel in the 330 squadron in the Norwegian Armed Forces and the Norwegian Air Ambulance have also been important partners.

With their input we have developed a complete product range with stretchers, accessories and own products to prevent heat loss and protect against hypothermia.

The LESS stretchers were launched at the turn of the year 2005/06.

Then a large delivery were made to the UN's emergency stockpile for disasters.

This was in addition to deliveries of stretchers to hospitals and ambulance services.

In 2007 LESS received the prestigious Mark for Good Norwegian Design!

As well as one of 4 candidates (among the 47 who received the Mark for Good Design) for the Honorary Award.

In connection with the award, emphasis was placed on the unique properties of the stretchers and accessories, the low weight and the functional design.

In the years that followed, we developed more products, improved the production processes and found new suppliers.

But Monday the following week we were back in business - on temporary premises - and with some delays in deliveries.

But our customers showed great understanding and patience.

However, the production of our emergency stretcher was hit harder – the mold we used to produce the stretchers was destroyed in the fire.

We therefore accelerated the work on the further development of the stretcher system.

At the same time we connected with several subcontractors who could assist us with replacement products in the meantime.

In February 2023 – two years after the fire – we were finally able to launch the new emergency stretcher. With the same properties as the old one, but now produced 100% from recycled plastic - and fully recyclable.

It is never that bad, that it's good for anything.

Our story continues and now we are working to increase the production of our stretcher in order to meet the demand. While at the same time we are developing new products.

We are constantly looking for new partners and challenges that we can solve.

We will continue to prove that you can run a small company in Norway, use the local business community and still have the whole world as a market.

So get in touch with us if you want to help write our story further.

If you have an idea, a challenge or just want to talk a bit about subjects, we are more than happy to have a chat with you.