LESS
LESS AS is a Norwegian manufacturer of emergency preparedness equipment, producing evacuation stretchers, hypothermia prevention products, triage systems, and CBRNE/PPE for military, government, and healthcare buyers across 20+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersOppland, Norway
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What LESS does
LESS AS is a Norwegian emergency preparedness equipment manufacturer founded in 2003 and headquartered in Kapp, Norway. The company designs and produces a portfolio of mass-casualty response equipment centered on its flagship lightweight evacuation stretcher system (in service since 2005), complemented by hypothermia prevention bags and blankets, triage marking systems, and CBRNE/PPE products including chemical protective suits, powered air-purifying respirators (Tiki line), and decontamination units. Core technology includes proprietary stretcher production lines with insulating and buoyancy properties (20 kg flotation), 3-layer vapor-barrier thermal bags, and welded fluid-tight patient packaging developed in collaboration with SINTEF and Norwegian emergency services.
The company operates a hybrid distribution model, selling directly through its Norwegian e-commerce platform (less.no) and through an exclusive distributor network covering 20+ countries across Scandinavia, the Baltics, Central/Western/Southern/Eastern Europe, the Middle East (UAE), East Asia (Japan, Korea, China), Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia), and Oceania (New Zealand). End customers are predominantly government, military, and emergency-services buyers (UN, Norwegian Armed Forces, Civil Defense, Norwegian Air Ambulance, Sykehuset Innlandet) with secondary reach into hospitals, ambulance services, and industrial preparedness markets. Products are NATO-stock numbered (e.g., 6530-25-162-4006/4007/4005/3996) and meet military and EN standards, creating interoperability with established military procurement systems.
Revenue is generated through unit hardware sales priced in NOK (e.g., ~8,789 NOK for a Tiki PRO respirator kit) with quote-based pricing for larger enterprise and government orders. The company is privately held with no disclosed external investors beyond an early-stage OFU research-and-development grant from Innovasjon Norge (2003–2005), 1–10 employees, and operates from a single production site that was destroyed by fire in February 2021 before resuming operations and launching a 100% recycled-plastic stretcher in February 2023.
LESS firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- LESS
- Legal name
- LESS AS
- Website
- https://less.no
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- LESS AS is a Norwegian manufacturer of emergency preparedness equipment, producing evacuation stretchers, hypothermia prevention products, triage systems, and CBRNE/PPE for military, government, and healthcare buyers across 20+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
LESS industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Emergency Preparedness Equipment
- NAICS
- Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing (339113)
- SIC
- Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Emergency Preparedness Planning & Readiness (HLAJAGAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Single-Use Surgical Devices & Procedure Packs (Disposable instruments, drapes, kits) (HLAHADAM), First Aid & Wound Care (Bandages, Dressings, Antiseptics, Burn Care) (CRADAMAB)
Keywords
Where LESS is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Oppland
- HQ country
- Norway
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
LESS business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Emergency Equipment Sales: Sale of emergency preparedness equipment including stretchers, hypothermia prevention products, triage systems, CBRNE equipment, and related accessories. Products sold directly and through distributors globally.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | LESS Splash Shield 8200 90 - Single unit disposable face shield |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Tiki PRO - Complete respiratory mask set |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Lakeland ChemMax2 CT2S428 - Chemical protection suit |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Lakeland MicroMax TS - Microporous film laminate suit |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | LESS Infection Control Kit - High Risk 8200 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Lakeland Interceptor Pressure Test Kit |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Lakeland MicroMax TS Cool Suit |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | LESS Stretcher Strap Set 3-pack |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels8 records
LESS product offering
Product offeringCore offering
LESS AS designs, manufactures, and sells emergency preparedness equipment for mass casualty incidents, disasters, evacuations, and CBRNE scenarios. Its product portfolio centers on the proprietary LESS Emergency Stretcher system (in use since 2005) and extends to hypothermia prevention products, triage marking systems, infection control kits, chemical protective suits, powered respirators, and negative pressure patient isolation units. Products are sold individually and as integrated preparedness systems to government, military, healthcare, and industrial customers in 20+ countries.
Product overview
LESS AS is a Norwegian emergency preparedness equipment company that designs and manufactures a comprehensive portfolio of evacuation, hypothermia prevention, triage, and CBRNE (sanitation/infectious disease protection) products. The core offering is the LESS Emergency Stretcher system — a lightweight stretcher in use since 2005 by UN and military forces globally — around which the broader ecosystem of products is organized. The portfolio spans: (1) evacuation stretchers and rescue sheets (LESS Beredskapsbåre PRO, LESS Army Bårepakke, LESS Bårepakke Kompakt, EXtretcher S-WB inflatable stretcher, LESS Bæreseil TAKTISK); (2) carrying harnesses and straps (LESS Bærevest, LESS stroppesett, PAX Spine Board-stropper); (3) hypothermia prevention (LESS hypotermipose, LESS Beredskapsteppe ullteppe, ESPE Redningsteppe, Compact Heater 4000, Star Progetti Hypothermsave IR-lampe); (4) triage (LESS Triagemappe); (5) CBRNE/PPE including face shields, infection control kits (LESS Splash Shield, LESS Smittesats), negative pressure incubators (BioBag), chemical suits (Lakeland ChemMax1/2, MicroMax TS, MicroMax NS Cool Suit), powered respirators (Tiki PRO/MULTI), and Interceptor pressure test kits; and (6) site equipment (power generators, rescue tools, lighting, stretchers, tents, training materials). Products are sold individually and as bundled systems (kits) and are designed to be interoperable.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- LESS Emergency Stretcher PRO (Beredskapsbåre PRO) Lightweight emergency stretcher with retractable handles and insulating properties; floats with 20 kg buoyancy in water. Flagship evacuation stretcher in use since 2005 by UN and military forces globally, designed to follow patients from incident site to operating table without transfers.
- LESS Army Stretcher Kit Complete Complete stretcher kit including 5 army stretchers and 10 wool blankets in two bags (stretcher bag and blanket bag); total weight 59 kg. NATO stock numbers assigned, supports civil-military cooperation.
- LESS Bårepakke Kompakt (Stretcher Rolling Kit Compact) Compact stretcher kit containing emergency stretchers, carrying harnesses, insulating bags, and hoods for rapid evacuation of casualties. Available in Single (1 stretcher set) and Duo (2 stretcher sets) variants.
- EXtretcher S-WB Inflatable Rescue Stretcher
- LESS Bæreseil TAKTISK (Tactical Rescue Sheet)
- LESS Hypotermipose (Thermal Bag / Hypothermia Bag)
- LESS Beredskapsteppe (Emergency Wool Blanket)
- ESPE Redningsteppe (Emergency Rescue Blanket)
- Compact Heater 4000
- Star Progetti Hypothermsave Infrared Heat Lamp
- LESS Triagemappe (Triage Folder)
- LESS Splash Shield 8200 90
- LESS Smittesats (Infection Control Kit - High Risk)
- BioBag Undertrykkskuvøse (Negative Pressure Incubator)
- Lakeland ChemMax 1 (CT1S428)
- Lakeland ChemMax 2 (CT2S428)
- Lakeland MicroMax TS Cool Suit (EMNTCF428)
- Lakeland MicroMax TS (EMNT428)
- Lakeland Interceptor Pressure Test Kit
- Tiki PRO (Powered Air-Purifying Respirator)
- Tiki MULTI (Shared Respirator System)
- LESS Floor Cover (Mobile CBRNe Unit)
- Flamor Stretcher Carrier (EL2000)
- GRUPEL GR2500 Power Generator
- SP Parabag Medic Backpack
Quantifiable outcome
- Stretcher floats with 20kg buoyancy in water
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use LESS
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
LESS technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
LESS partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- AdCuriscoreExclusive distributor for Sweden. Represents LESS products in the Swedish market.
- AP ServicescoreExclusive distributor for Denmark. Represents LESS products in the Danish market.
- SharkMed OYcoreExclusive distributor for Finland. Represents LESS products in the Finnish market.
- Prometheus MedicalcoreExclusive distributor for UK. Represents LESS products in the United Kingdom market.
- Sago MedicacoreExclusive distributor for Italy. Exhibited together at REAS 2024 trade show.
- BAUS AT SP z.o.o.coreDistributor covering Poland, Germany, Switzerland, France, Hong Kong, and China markets.
- NorlenseminorNorwegian equipment manufacturer. Partnership highlighted at Interschutz Hannover exhibition. Collaborative relationship in Scandinavian emergency equipment market.
- Epsilon CompositesminorCarbon fiber composite partner for MEDEVAC stretcher development. 2.5kg lightweight stretcher with retractable carbon fiber poles, 30-second deployment time, 150kg max load.
- SINTEFcoreNorwegian research organization. Long-term collaboration on material technology and stress testing since 2003-2005 during initial product development.
- Sykehuset InnlandetcoreInland Hospital ambulance service collaboration during OFU project development. Input on clinical requirements for emergency stretchers.
- Norsk LuftambulansecoreNorwegian Air Ambulance - key collaboration partner in developing complete product range including stretchers, accessories, and hypothermia prevention products.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
LESS competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Norlense: Norwegian emergency and rescue equipment manufacturer producing liferafts and safety equipment. Regional peer with overlapping emergency preparedness customer base and co-exhibited with LESS at Interschutz.
Direct peers
- ME.BER. Italian manufacturer of emergency medical devices for rescue and disaster response, including evacuation mattresses and immobilization products. Comparable niche specialty in mass-casualty and rescue equipment.
- Hartwell Medical: US-based manufacturer of emergency evacuation and patient transport equipment, including vacuum mattresses, stretchers, and mass-casualty response kits. Comparable niche specialization and customer segments.
- Spencer Italia: Italian emergency medical equipment manufacturer offering evacuation chairs, stretchers, triage kits, and mass-casualty solutions. Closely comparable product mix and customer base (civil defense, EMS, military) to LESS.
- Prometheus Medical: UK supplier and exclusive LESS distributor also develops and supplies its own tactical and pre-hospital emergency medical equipment. Direct overlap with LESS in trauma, hemorrhage, and casualty evacuation for defense and emergency services.
- TyTek Group: Manufacturer of tactical and pre-hospital trauma care products including patient transport and decontamination solutions. Comparable focus on military and first-responder customers.
- Ferno: Global manufacturer of patient handling, EMS, and evacuation equipment including stretchers, immobilizers, and mortuary products. Most directly comparable to LESS in core stretcher and evacuation category for ambulance, fire, and rescue services.
Broad incumbents
- Stryker (EMS / Patient Handling): Large medical device conglomerate whose EMS division sells stretchers, powered ambulance cots, and patient handling systems. Competes broadly with LESS in evacuation but as part of a far larger portfolio.
- Etac / Molift: Norwegian-Swedish mobility and patient handling group (parent of Molift), from which LESS originally originated. Comparable product heritage in patient transfer, though broader mobility portfolio.
- Allied Healthcare Products: US manufacturer of medical gas delivery, respiratory, and emergency care products for EMS and hospitals. Overlaps with LESS in respiratory protection and emergency care equipment categories.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
LESS social profiles
Digital presenceLESS compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
LESS financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
LESS leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
LESS funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
LESS M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about LESS
What does LESS do?
LESS AS designs, manufactures, and sells emergency preparedness equipment for mass casualty incidents, disasters, evacuations, and CBRNE scenarios. Its product portfolio centers on the proprietary LESS Emergency Stretcher system (in use since 2005) and extends to hypothermia prevention products, triage marking systems, infection control kits, chemical protective suits, powered respirators, and negative pressure patient isolation units. Products are sold individually and as integrated preparedness systems to government, military, healthcare, and industrial customers in 20+ countries.
Is LESS a public or private company?
LESS is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was LESS founded?
LESS was founded in 2003. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is LESS based?
LESS is headquartered in Oppland, Norway, in the Europe region.
How does LESS make money?
One revenue line is on record: emergency Equipment Sales.
Who are LESS's main competitors?
Norlense is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are ME.BER., Hartwell Medical, Spencer Italia, Prometheus Medical, TyTek Group and Ferno. Broad incumbents are Stryker (EMS / Patient Handling), Etac / Molift and Allied Healthcare Products.
Does LESS have an API?
No public API is recorded for LESS.
What industry is LESS in?
LESS's product category is Emergency Preparedness Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAJAGAA, Emergency Preparedness Planning & Readiness, with a secondary code of HLAHADAM, Single-Use Surgical Devices & Procedure Packs (Disposable instruments, drapes, kits). Its NAICS code is 339113 and its SIC code is 3841.