What Mandals AS does

Mandals AS is a Norwegian industrial manufacturer specializing in lay-flat hoses and circular shuttle weaving looms, headquartered at Nordre Banegate 26, Mandal, on Norway's southern coast. Founded in 1775 as a rope manufacturer for the maritime port of Mandal, the company transitioned into fire hoses in 1922, began manufacturing circular shuttle looms in 1935, and developed the proprietary 'extrusion through the weave' technology in the 1960s — a process in which thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is extruded through circular woven textile reinforcement in a single operation to create a seamless one-piece composite hose. Mandals began extruding hoses with TPU in 1988, a method that subsequently set the worldwide standard for lay-flat hose production. The company is wholly owned by the Michelin Group following Michelin's 2018 acquisition of Fenner PLC (which had itself acquired Mandals in 2012).

The product portfolio comprises two main lines. The hose line serves eight primary verticals — agriculture (Dragman, Flexitex), firefighting (Guardman, Mertex), construction (Mantex, Mantex HP, Mortar), mining and fluid transfer (Superman HVT, Ultraman, Ultraman HVT), potable water (Aquaman series, Wellman 300, Boreman), pipe rehabilitation (Aquaman L & M, Aquaman PE L, Tubeman, SinPlomo), energy (Antistatica), and a sustainable BioLine biobased-TPU series. The loom line includes three circular shuttle loom models (HM604, HM1500, HM3000) plus eight upgrade kits and a dedicated Looms & Spares aftermarket division. CNC precision machining services are offered as a third revenue stream.

Mandals generates revenue through direct field sales (five named regional Sales Managers plus an Internal Sales Representative and Sales Coordinator) complemented by long-standing distributors in 77+ countries, with 90% of production exported. Pricing is quote-based B2B with multi-year contracts; no public pricing exists. The company holds a uniquely broad certification stack — ISO 9001/14001/45001, NSF/ANSI/CAN 61, KTW, DVGW W270, WRAS, AS/NZS 4020, MED/Wheelmark, SOLAS, and multiple national fire-hose standards — which functions as a regulatory moat in potable water, maritime, and municipal-infrastructure end-markets.

Name

Mandals AS

Legal name

Mandals AS

Website

https://mandals.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1775

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Mandals AS is a Norwegian industrial manufacturer of lay-flat hoses and circular shuttle weaving looms, founded in 1775 and wholly owned by the Michelin Group. It serves agriculture, firefighting, construction, mining, energy, dewatering, potable water, and pipe rehabilitation customers across 77+ countries, with 90% of production exported.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Lay-Flat Hose and Circular Shuttle Loom Manufacturing

NAICS

Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing (3339), Sawmill, Woodworking, and Paper Machinery Manufacturing (333243)

SIC

Sawmills & Planting Mills, General (2421), Fabricated Plate Work (Boiler Shops) (3443)

akta.pro primary industry

Custom/Contract Sawing & Portable Sawmilling (IMAMABAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Threshing, Decortication & Separation Equipment (Small-Scale Separators) (AFAAAJAF)

Keywords

• Lay-flat hose manufacturing
• Circular shuttle looms
• Industrial fluid transfer
• Pipe rehabilitation solutions
• Firefighting hose equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Mandal

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Lay-Flat Hose Manufacturing & Sales: Mandals designs, manufactures, and sells a broad portfolio of lay-flat hoses for various industries including agriculture, construction, mining, firefighting, dewatering, energy, and pipe rehabilitation. Products include standard and specialized hoses with different materials (TPU, nitrile rubber/PVC blend, polyethylene), pressure ratings, and certifications. 90% of production is exported globally. Revenue is generated through direct sales, distributors, and channel partners.
2. Circular Shuttle Loom Manufacturing & Sales: Mandals manufactures and sells circular shuttle looms (HM604, HM1500, HM3000 models) and associated spare parts and upgrade kits to lay-flat hose manufacturers worldwide. Machines are designed, manufactured, and assembled at the Norwegian facility. Revenue generated through direct sales and the Looms & Spares division.
3. CNC Machining & Precision Manufacturing Services: Mandals offers precision CNC milling and turning services to businesses in Norway and abroad, producing components and parts in metal and plastic, including prototyping, repairs, and maintenance. Services are available from single components to larger series, supporting quick-turnaround needs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Mandals AS designs, manufactures, and sells a broad portfolio of lay-flat hoses (for agriculture, construction, mining, firefighting, dewatering, energy, pipe rehabilitation, and potable water applications) and circular shuttle weaving looms (HM604, HM1500, HM3000) with associated spare parts and upgrade kits. Production is conducted in-house at the company's Mandal, Norway facility using the proprietary 'extrusion through the weave' method. The company also offers precision CNC milling and turning services to external customers.

Product overview

Mandals AS is a world-class manufacturer of lay-flat hoses and circular shuttle looms based in Mandal, Norway, established in 1775. The company operates as part of the Michelin Group and exports 90% of production to over 77 countries. The product portfolio centers on two core product lines: (1) Lay-flat hoses for diverse industrial applications including agriculture (Dragman, Flexitex), firefighting (Guardman, Mertex), construction (Mantex, Mantex HP, Mortar), fluid transfer (Superman HVT, Ultraman HVT, Ultraman), water management (Aquaman, Aquaman L & M, Aquaman PE L, Wellman 300, Boreman 300/200), pipe rehabilitation (Tubeman L & M), and specialty uses (Antistatica, BioLine sustainable series); and (2) Circular shuttle weaving looms (HM604, HM3000, HM1500) with accompanying upgrade kits, spares, and CNC machining services. The company emphasizes quality without compromise and growth through sustainability, with products manufactured using proprietary 'extrusion through the weave' technology developed in the 1960s.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• HM604 Circular Shuttle Loom An internationally recognized circular shuttle loom described as the industry benchmark for lay-flat hose manufacturing. Known for versatile qualities and is the most popular model for lay-flat hose manufacturers. Sold to hose manufacturers globally as a standalone capital equipment purchase.
• HM3000 Circular Shuttle Loom A three-shuttle circular shuttle loom delivering high output while maintaining flexibility to produce smaller and larger diameters. Sold to hose manufacturers globally as a standalone capital equipment purchase.
• HM1500 Circular Shuttle Loom A compact and small circular shuttle loom designed for hose manufacturers that need quality and speed without compromising floor space. Sold to hose manufacturers globally as a standalone capital equipment purchase.
• Loom Upgrade Kits Eight different upgrade kits available for HM604 and HM3000 looms, including rotation change kits, servo take-off upgrades, bearing upgrades, photoelectric detectors, direct drive and frequency converter conversions, tension control kits, and safety cover upgrades. Sold as a stand-alone accessory line to existing loom owners.
• CNC Machining Services Precision CNC milling and turning services for metal and plastic components including prototyping, repairs, and maintenance. Turning capacity up to D1000mm x 4000mm, milling up to 3000mm x 2800mm. Available from single components to larger series for businesses in Norway and abroad.
• Dragman Lay-Flat Hose A flexible, high-quality lay-flat hose series for the agriculture industry, used with umbilical drag systems to distribute slurry and manure. Available in Standard, Premium, and Extra Performance versions with diameters from 90mm to 203mm. Targets agricultural operators seeking efficient and environmentally friendly slurry distribution.
• Flexitex Lay-Flat Hose A premium lay-flat hose made from a blend of nitrile rubber and PVC with UV barrier, used as a feeder hose for water transfer in agriculture and other industries. Available in Standard, Extra, and Performance versions.
• Guardman Fire Hose A lightweight fire hose with high nitrile rubber content, designed to set the global standard since the 1960s (originally as Armtex) and withstand abrasion, wear and tear. Available in Red (standard), Yellow, Blue, and Green colors. Certified to multiple international fire hose standards (BS 6391, DIN14811, EN14540, AS2792, NS4016/18, NEN2242). Used by fire departments, refineries, factories, forests, and military.
• Mantex HP Compressed Air Hose A double-jacket world-class lay-flat hose for compressed air at higher working pressures, with premium TPU inner and outer layers. Lightweight, flexible, with high puncture resistance and oil resistance. Designed for construction-industry compressed air applications.
• Mantex Compressed Air Hose A market-leading compressed air hose combining lightweight and flexibility with high pressure ratings and safety. Made from nitrile rubber and PVC blend with UV barrier. Designed for high burst-pressure construction and industrial applications.
• Mertex Fire Hose A high-quality textile fire hose with TPU lining for better performance and no hot melt adhesives to prevent delamination. Designed to BS 6391 with MED certificate and Wheel Mark for maritime firefighting. Also available in an Arctic version tested to -62 degrees Celsius.
• Mortar Concrete Boom Hose A lightweight concrete boom hose suitable as end hose and delivery line system, with features that prevent dangerous hose whip from air pockets. Approximately one-third lighter than traditional boom hoses. Orange color for visibility and safety in construction concrete placement.
• Superman HVT Fluid Transfer Hose A market-leading all-purpose transfer hose made from premium thermoplastic polyether-based TPU using through-the-weave extrusion. Heavily reinforced with high resistance to abrasion and cutting and full diameter recovery after pressure release. Targets fluid transfer in mining, agriculture, and dewatering.
• Ultraman HVT High-Volume Transfer Hose A high-volume transfer hose extruded through the weave with polyether-based high-quality TPU. Lightweight multipurpose hose with high operational pressure, compact storage, and similar properties to Superman HVT but with reduced protective coating thickness.
• Ultraman Lightweight Transfer Hose A lightweight transfer hose for all-around use in mining, energy, and agriculture. Lighter construction than HVT versions, available in dimensions up to 7 inches. Cost-effective with easy handling and long service life.
• Aquaman Large-Volume Liquid Transfer Hose A lightweight lay-flat hose for transferring large volumes of liquids at high working pressures. Premium abrasion resistance, tested and certified for potable water transfer. Used across dewatering, mining, and water-management applications.
• Aquaman L & M Drinking Water Rehabilitation Liner Trenchless rehabilitation liners for drinking water lines in Low (L) and Medium (M) pressure systems. Drinking-water approved with good hydrolysis and microbiological resistance, designed for a service life of more than 50 years. Targets municipalities and contractors rehabilitating water mains.
• Aquaman PE L Polyethylene Service-Line Rehabilitation Liner A polyethylene (PE) based semi-structural liner for trenchless rehabilitation of drinking water service lines using pulled-in-place pipe technology. NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 certified, KTW-BWGL approved, with a designed service life of more than 50 years. Addresses lead contamination and leakage in aging service lines.
• Wellman 300 Rising Main Hose A flexible rising main hose for permanent replacement of rigid steel, PVC, or fiberglass piping when extracting groundwater with electric submersible pumps. Holds NSF-61, WRAS Reg4, PZH, and AS/NZS 4020 drinking water certifications. Available up to 300m length.
• Boreman 300 Rising Main Hose A flexible rising main designed as a permanent alternative to steel, fiberglass, UPVC, and polyethylene in water wells with electric submersible pumps. Developed specifically for mining and desalination industries. Available up to 300m length.
• Boreman 200 Rising Main Hose A flexible rising main similar in design and application to Boreman 300, limited to 200m deep wells and hose lengths. Designed for mining and desalination applications.
• Tubeman L & M Drain/Sewage/Gas Pipe Rehabilitation Liner A trenchless rehabilitation hose for drain water pipes, sewage pipes, and gas pipes. Stand-alone solution providing continual and safe fluid supply even if the host pipe fragments or breaks. Available in Low (L) and Medium (M) pressure versions.
• Antistatica Electrically-Conductive Hose An antistatic electrically-conductive flexible hose with excellent abrasion resistance and resistance to UV, ozone, oil, fuels, and commonly used chemicals. Exceeds MIL-PRF-370 conductivity specification (maximum 4.9 Ohm/m). Used in energy-sector applications including fuel and hydrocarbon transfer.
• BioLine Sustainable Biobased TPU Hose Series A sustainable lay-flat hose series made from 20-100% biobased TPU (a renewable resource with a smaller carbon footprint than traditional TPU). Includes Dragman BioLine variants with the same quality and durability as standard Mandals hoses.
• SinPlomo Lead-Free Water Service Line System An NSF-61 certified patent-pending system co-developed with Purifico and partners to eliminate lead contamination in potable water service lines using modified pulled-in-place pipe technology. Sold to municipalities and contractors replacing lead service lines.

Quantifiable outcome

• Products with calculated service life of 50+ years for rehabilitation liners (Aquaman L & M, Tubeman, Aquaman PE L) and durable fire hoses lasting decades (e.g., Guardman 5x longer than traditional textile hoses)
• +4 more outcomes

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• WhiteCycle ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean research initiative aimed at recycling 2 million tons of plastic (PET) by 2023. Mandals participates as part of the Michelin Group's sustainability initiatives, contributing expertise in polymer materials and hose production to develop recycling technologies for plastic materials.
• PurificominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developed the SinPlomo patent-pending lead-free water line system with Purifico and unnamed partners. SinPlomo uses pulled-in-place pipe technology to eliminate lead contamination in potable water service lines. The system is NSF-61 certified and designed to address the significant health risks of lead contamination in aging water infrastructure.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Itema Group: Italian manufacturer of weaving machines (airjet, rapier, projectile) including circular weaving technology. Competes with Mandals in the industrial textile/weaving machinery market and supplies similar hose-producing customers.
• Trelleborg AB: Swedish engineered polymer group with a substantial industrial hose and pipe-rehabilitation portfolio. Comparable in producing high-performance polymer hoses for marine, oil & gas, and infrastructure applications, directly overlapping Mandals' end markets.
• Hose Master LLC: US manufacturer of industrial metal and composite hoses for similar end markets (chemical, petroleum, food processing). Comparable mid-sized specialty hose manufacturer serving B2B industrial customers with custom-engineered products.
• Gates Industrial: US-headquartered global manufacturer of industrial hoses, hydraulic hoses, and fluid power products. Directly comparable in product category (industrial and lay-flat hoses), target markets (industrial fluid transfer), and global distribution model.
• Lindauer Dornier GmbH: German manufacturer of weaving machinery including technical textiles and circular weaving systems. Comparable to Mandals as a specialist weaving loom producer for industrial applications including hose reinforcement.
• Kuriyama of America: Japanese-owned US manufacturer of industrial hoses including lay-flat hoses (Tigerflex, Kuri Tec brands). Most direct competitor to Mandals in North American and global lay-flat hose markets with similar agricultural, construction, and dewatering applications.
• Picanol Group: Belgian manufacturer of weaving machines supplying the global textile industry. Direct peer for Mandals' circular shuttle loom business (HM604/HM1500/HM3000) serving the same hose and industrial fabric manufacturers.

Broad incumbents

• Continental AG: German industrial conglomerate with ContiTech industrial hose division. Much larger scale and broader product range (tires, automotive, conveyor belts), but ContiTech directly overlaps with Mandals in industrial rubber and polymer hose manufacturing.
• Parker Hannifin: US-headquartered diversified motion and control technologies company with a substantial industrial hose division. Broad incumbent serving many of the same fluid-transfer end markets as Mandals across global geographies.
• Saint-Gobain: French multinational producing engineered polymer products including industrial hoses, seals, and fluid handling systems. Broad incumbent with comparable B2B industrial distribution model and similar regulatory certification footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Compliance22 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mandals AS