Made in Norway

SBX has been designed, engineered, and is still manufactured in our home country of Norway.

The context of Safeback's product as a new technology that can increase the margins of survival has led us to think differently about the standards we keep for producing it.

After much consideration, we determined that the best way to secure the quality and reliability of our product, as well as allow us to be nimble in future iterations was to produce the product in our home country: Norway.

Our Design Challenges

The main challenge we had to solve in building SBX was combining the requirements of backcountry skiers in terms of weight, durability, volume, and a reliable interface with the product's core function: pumping air from behind the wearer and delivering it to their face. This posed a significant problem that required years of research, development, prototyping, and testing to solve.

Core Function: Supplying Air through snow

Extensive testing was conducted in various snowpacks across Norway during the product's development to validate its intended functionality. Having production facilities close to home allowed us to iterate quickly to test hypotheses and refine our product to its final specifications.

Sourcing the "right" materials

All components in our system must satisfy user requirements in terms of weight and volume while maintaining functional efficiency in all weather conditions, especially in extreme cold climates. SBX is produced with high-end plastics, produced in Norway, chosen for their tolerance of the cold without risk of breakage from shock or vibration. All electronics and our specified batteries have been chosen for their ability to function normally in environments as cold as -30°C.

Balancing User needs and engineering constraints

Our aim was to provide an airflow rate that could effectively delay asphyxia during snow burial for as long as possible. While this would be possible in a scuba suit, we knew that heavy and intrusive solutions would not be desirable for backcountry travelers. After determining the minimum airflow for the worst-case burial scenario, we determined that the best comprimise for runtime and weight would be 90 minutes, requiring 6 batteries - final weight 520g.

Quality Control

Meet our factory: Norautron

We produce SBX at a high-end electronic manufacturer in Norway called Norautron. They are responsible for electronics manufacturing, and final assembly of the system, including QA. Their production of PCBs is fully automated and traceable, including a functionality test on all units before they are sent for installation. Post-assembly testing includes a final QA test for unit functionality on all units, meaning no SBX units leave the factory until they are confirmed as fully functional. In addition, we are proud to support a factory with the highest labor standards, that provides a healthy workplace for their employees, and has achieved several international standards for their efforts.

Manufacturing close to home

Throughout development, we grew to see the advantages of production in Norway. We have greater control over the quality of every component and how they are assembled, ensuring the highest standards are maintained for what is a worst-case safety product.

Collaborating with local manufacturers and suppliers ensured top-notch quality and facilitated effective communication and streamlined logistics. Being able to visit the manufacturing facility regularly allowed us to closely monitor the production process, make necessary adjustments, and maintain a close relationship with our manufacturing partners.

The decision to manufacture in Norway was driven by our commitment to excellence and the desire to provide our customers with a product they can rely on in the most demanding situations. We incorporated materials resistant to impact, and the design elegantly integrates the air inlet for the fan, into the product's aesthetic.