Vestergaard (company)

Last updated
Vestergaard
TypePrivate
Industry Public health
Founded1957
FounderKaj Vestergaard Frandsen
Headquarters Switzerland
Area served
World-wide
Key people
  • Michael Joos
  • (CEO)
Board members:
Products Mosquito nets, water filters
Brands LifeStraw, PermaNet, ZeroFly
OwnerMikkel Vestergaard Frandsen
Number of employees
170 [1]
Website www.vestergaard.com

Vestergaard is a company headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland that manufactures public health tools for people in developing countries. Founded as Vestergaard Frandsen in 1957 as a uniform maker, the company evolved into a social enterprise making products for humanitarian aid in the 1990s. It is now best known for inventing the LifeStraw water filter and the PermaNet mosquito net. [2]

Contents

History

Vestergaard was founded in 1957 by Kaj Vestergaard Frandsen, a former farmer and the grandfather of current owner Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen. [2] Kaj founded the company with a friend before doing it alone. [3] The company made linings for jackets and uniforms. [2] [3] Kaj's son Torben took over in 1970. Production was first moved to Ireland and then to Poland in 1989. [3]

In 1990, Torben bought up 1 million yards of Swedish army surplus fabric used for uniforms, and turned it into blankets for aid organizations. That was the beginning of a change in focus of the company that continued after Mikkel was persuaded to join the company by his father in 1993. [2] [3] Mikkel had worked in Lagos from the age of 19 running a truck company, which "ignited his passion for Africa." [4] He left Nigeria following a military coup and returned to Denmark to work with his father. [3] In 1997 Torben and Mikkel agreed to split the company into separate female uniform and humanitarian textiles businesses, and then Mikkel bought out his father and stopped producing uniforms. [3]

Under Mikkel's leadership the company focused on the business model of humanitarian entrepreneurship, product innovation that improves lives of people and makes a profit. [5] [6] [7]

In 1996, the company began supplying Guinea worm filters to The Carter Center. [8] PermaNet bed nets were launched in 1999, LifeStraw was introduced in 2005 and ZeroFly entered the market in 2012. Those early products defined Vestergaard's three focus areas aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals: public health, water and food security. [7]

The company moved headquarters from Kolding to Lausanne in 2005–6, which it said was to better attract specialist employees and due to the presence of international organizations such as UN agencies and the Red Cross in Switzerland. [9] In 2010, the company was around 20 times the size of when Mikkel joined it. [8] Vestergaard has continued to work on product innovations for vector borne illnesses, water borne illnesses and food security. In 2007, due to the increase in insecticide resistant mosquitoes, a new bednet was developed as a combination net with increased efficacy against mosquitoes resistant to insecticides. Vestergaard has been a member of the UN Global Compact since 2008 and initiated, then participated in the Bed Net Industry Dialogue hosted by the Global Business Coalition in 2009. [10] In 2012, Vestergaard developed IR Mapper, an online tool for mapping insecticide resistance. [11]

Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen stepped down as CEO in January 2020 and was replaced by Michael Joos. [12]

Products

The company has several "disease control textiles" products designed as health interventions for developing countries, including the LifeStraw water filtration device to prevent waterborne disease, and the PermaNet, a mosquito net impregnated with the long-lasting insecticide deltamethrin to prevent malaria. [2] The company also produces ZeroFly, which is a defence against insect pests for livestock and crop protection. Vestergaard also initiates programs to enhance delivery of its products: the company bundles LifeStraw and PermaNet together into a CarePack of preventive health tools to encourage people to get tested for HIV; [13] LifeStraw has been distributed as part of the LifeStraw Carbon for Water program, where nearly 900,000 water purifiers were distributed in Kenya through funding provided by carbon offsets. [14] In 2014, Lifestraw launched a Give Back program designed to provide one school child in a developing country safe drinking water for an entire school year. The program is funded by retail sales in North America or Europe. [15] [16]

Recognition

The company was named as a Fast Company Top 50 company in 2007. [2] The company won The Economist ’s Social and Economic Innovation Award in 2009. [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DDT</span> Organochloride known for its insecticidal properties

Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, commonly known as DDT, is a colorless, tasteless, and almost odorless crystalline chemical compound, an organochloride. Originally developed as an insecticide, it became infamous for its environmental impacts. DDT was first synthesized in 1874 by the Austrian chemist Othmar Zeidler. DDT's insecticidal action was discovered by the Swiss chemist Paul Hermann Müller in 1939. DDT was used in the second half of World War II to limit the spread of the insect-borne diseases malaria and typhus among civilians and troops. Müller was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1948 "for his discovery of the high efficiency of DDT as a contact poison against several arthropods". The WHO's anti-malaria campaign of the 1950s and 1960s relied heavily on DDT and the results were promising, though there was a resurgence in developing countries afterwards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malaria</span> Mosquito-borne infectious disease

Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease that affects humans and other vertebrates. Human malaria causes symptoms that typically include fever, fatigue, vomiting, and headaches. In severe cases, it can cause jaundice, seizures, coma, or death. Symptoms usually begin 10 to 15 days after being bitten by an infected Anopheles mosquito. If not properly treated, people may have recurrences of the disease months later. In those who have recently survived an infection, reinfection usually causes milder symptoms. This partial resistance disappears over months to years if the person has no continuing exposure to malaria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bifenthrin</span> Chemical compound

Bifenthrin is a pyrethroid insecticide. It is widely used against ant infestations.

<i>Anopheles</i> Genus of mosquito

Anopheles is a genus of mosquito first described by J. W. Meigen in 1818. Its members are sometimes called nail mosquitoes or marsh mosquitoes. Many are vectors of the Plasmodium parasite of malaria in birds, reptiles, and mammals including humans. Anopheles gambiae is among the best known, as it transmits one of the most dangerous human malaria parasites, Plasmodium falciparum. No other mosquito genus is a vector of human malaria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Permethrin</span> Medication and insecticide

Permethrin is a medication and an insecticide. As a medication, it is used to treat scabies and lice. It is applied to the skin as a cream or lotion. As an insecticide, it can be sprayed onto outer clothing or mosquito nets to kill the insects that touch them.

Tropical diseases are diseases that are prevalent in or unique to tropical and subtropical regions. The diseases are less prevalent in temperate climates, due in part to the occurrence of a cold season, which controls the insect population by forcing hibernation. However, many were present in northern Europe and northern America in the 17th and 18th centuries before modern understanding of disease causation. The initial impetus for tropical medicine was to protect the health of colonial settlers, notably in India under the British Raj. Insects such as mosquitoes and flies are by far the most common disease carrier, or vector. These insects may carry a parasite, bacterium or virus that is infectious to humans and animals. Most often disease is transmitted by an insect bite, which causes transmission of the infectious agent through subcutaneous blood exchange. Vaccines are not available for most of the diseases listed here, and many do not have cures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mosquito net</span> Fine net used to exclude mosquitos and other biting insects

A mosquito net is a type of meshed curtain that is circumferentially draped over a bed or a sleeping area, to offer the sleeper barrier protection against bites and stings from mosquitos, flies, and other pest insects, and thus against the diseases they may carry. Examples of such preventable insect-borne diseases include malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, zika virus, Chagas disease and various forms of encephalitis, including the West Nile virus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mosquito control</span> Efforts to reduce damage from mosquitoes

Mosquito control manages the population of mosquitoes to reduce their damage to human health, economies, and enjoyment. Mosquito control is a vital public-health practice throughout the world and especially in the tropics because mosquitoes spread many diseases, such as malaria and the Zika virus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deltamethrin</span> Chemical compound

Deltamethrin is a pyrethroid ester insecticide. Deltamethrin plays a key role in controlling malaria vectors, and is used in the manufacture of long-lasting insecticidal mosquito nets; however, resistance of mosquitos and bed bugs to deltamethrin has seen a widespread increase.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waterborne diseases</span> Diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms transmitted by waters

Waterborne diseases are conditions caused by pathogenic micro-organisms that are transmitted by water. These diseases can be spread while bathing, washing, drinking water, or by eating food exposed to contaminated water. They are a pressing issue in rural areas amongst developing countries all over the world. While diarrhea and vomiting are the most commonly reported symptoms of waterborne illness, other symptoms can include skin, ear, respiratory, or eye problems. Lack of clean water supply, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) are major causes for the spread of waterborne diseases in a community. Therefore, reliable access to clean drinking water and sanitation is the main method to prevent waterborne diseases.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LifeStraw</span> Brand of water filtration and purification devices

LifeStraw is a brand of water filtration and purification devices. The original LifeStraw was designed as a portable water filter "straw". It filters a maximum of 4,000 litres of water, enough for one person for three years. It removes almost all waterborne bacteria, microplastics and parasites. A bottle was later developed which incorporated a LifeStraw cartridge into a 650-millilitre (22 US fl oz) BPA-free plastic sports water bottle. In addition to these portable filters, the manufacturer produces high-volume purifiers powered by gravity that also remove viruses. These are designed for family and community use.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ClimateCare</span>

ClimateCare is a profit for purpose environmental and social impact company known for its role providing carbon offset services, with a particular focus on using carbon and other results based finance to support its 'Climate+Care Projects'. It also provides businesses and governments with sustainable development programmes, environmental and social impact measurement and project development.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disease vector</span> Agent that carries and transmits an infectious pathogen into another living organism

In epidemiology, a disease vector is any living agent that carries and transmits an infectious pathogen such as a parasite or microbe, to another living organism. Agents regarded as vectors are mostly blood-sucking insects such as mosquitoes. The first major discovery of a disease vector came from Ronald Ross in 1897, who discovered the malaria pathogen when he dissected the stomach tissue of a mosquito.

Slingshot is a water purification device created by inventor Dean Kamen. Powered by a Stirling engine running on a combustible fuel source, it claims to be able to produce drinking water from almost any source by means of vapor compression distillation, requires no filters, and can operate using cow dung as fuel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Against Malaria Foundation</span> United Kingdom-based charity

The Against Malaria Foundation (AMF) is a United-Kingdom based charity that provides long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) to populations at high risk of malaria, primarily in Africa. As of December 2021, the foundation has raised $425 million, and distributed or committed to fund more than 137 million LLINs[4] since its founding in 2004. By the end of 2021, the organization had completed the distribution of 36.3 million nets to protect 65.3 million people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Togo and Uganda.

Oxitec is a UK-based, US-owned biotechnology company that develops genetically modified insects in order to improve public health and food security through insect control. The insects act as biological insecticides. Insects are controlled without the use of chemical insecticides. Instead, the insects are genetically engineered to be unable to produce offspring. The company claims that this technology is more effective than insecticides and more environmentally friendly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rainco</span>

Rainco is a privately held company in Sri Lanka which manufactures umbrellas, mosquito nets and rainwear. Starting as a home-based operation in 1977, as of 2015 the company counts four production factories across the island, a workforce of over 1200 and a dealer network of over 7000. As the first company to obtain ISO 9001-2000 certification and SLS certifications for the manufacture of umbrellas in Sri Lanka, Rainco is also the only producer of ISO 9001-2000 system certified mosquito nets in South Asia. Rainco products are currently exported to Maldives, India, Mauritius, Singapore and Seychelles. The company is also the official representative of several global brands in Sri Lanka including Cartoon Network.

The Innovative Vector Control Consortium (IVCC) is a not-for-profit, product development partnership (PDP) designed to facilitate the development and delivery of new and improved vector control tools to prevent malaria and other neglected tropical diseases. Their mission is to save lives, protect health and increase prosperity in areas where disease transmitted by insects is endemic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flaminia Catteruccia</span> Italian professor of immunology and infectious disease

Flaminia Catteruccia is an Italian professor of immunology and infectious disease at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, studying the interactions between malaria and the Anopheles mosquitoes that transmit the parasites.

Helen Jamet FRES is a medical entomologist from the UK, she is deputy director for Vector Control of Malaria at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

References

  1. ↑ Saldinger, Adva (January 7, 2016). "How a textile company became a development powerhouse". Devex Impact. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Fishman, Charles (2007). "The 6th Annual Fast 50 - 31: Vestergaard Frandsen". Fast Company. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Freedman, Michael (26 December 2005). "A Fine Mesh". Forbes. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  4. 1 2 Savova, Boriana (October 2009). "Leadership interview: "A leader anticipates and prepares for change"". Roll Back Malaria. Archived from the original on November 5, 2009. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  5. ↑ Agrawal, Swati (September 2014). "Creating successful business model: lessons for social entrepreneurship" . Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  6. ↑ Wolfson, Elijah (4 March 2015). "Work Smarter: Can the Private Sector Replace NGOs in the Developing World?". Newsweek. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  7. 1 2 Saldinger, Adva (7 January 2016). "How a textile company became a development powerhouse". Devex. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  8. 1 2 Cheshire, Tom (1 March 2010). "Work Smarter: Vestergaard Frandsen". Wired. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  9. ↑ "Fortsat udflagning i Vestergaard Frandsen". Business.dk. October 17, 2006. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Improving Global Bed Net Procurement: Stakeholder Action Proposal" (PDF). Global Business Coalition. 2009. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
  11. ↑ Knox, Tessa (7 February 2014). "An online tool for mapping insecticide resistance in major Anopheles vectors of human malaria parasites and review of resistance status for the Afrotropical region". Parasites & Vectors. Vol. 7. doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-76 .
  12. ↑ "Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen hands over reins as CEO of Vestergaard, leaving a legacy of impact that has protected hundreds of millions of people from malaria, waterborne disease and food scarcity". AP News. 30 January 2020.
  13. 1 2 McNeil, Donald (3 February 2009). "A Company Prospers by Saving Poor People's Lives". New York Times. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
  14. ↑ Ni Chonghaile, Clar (29 November 2012). "Straw poll finds in favour of western Kenya's water and carbon solution". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
  15. ↑ Potter, Everett (3 January 2019). "LifeStraw: Water for a Changing World". Forbes. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  16. ↑ "LifeStraw Supports Community Through Donations, Provides Sustainable Solutions at Sold-Out Summit". 3 September 2018. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  17. ↑ "LifeStraw Features". Archived from the original on 2016-02-04. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
  18. ↑ LifeStraw Family Features
  19. ↑ "LifeStraw® Go". www.vestergaard.com. Archived from the original on 2014-03-21.
  20. ↑ "Carter Center Program Donors". Carter Center. 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
  21. ↑ Alter, Lloyd (August 21, 2015). "INDEX: The ZeroFly storage bag can significantly reduce food waste". TreeHugger. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
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