What we do
Protec Helmet Factory
- World’s first non-profit helmet factory (funded through donations)
- Light-weight tropical helmets designed especially for Asian heads
- 500,000 units annual capacity per plant
- Supplies Helmets for Kids program
- Creates branding for helmet public awareness efforts
- Employs physically disabled workers (one third of total work force)
- Successful self sustaining model that can be replicated throughout the developing world
- Plant cost: $2.5 million
Completed in May 2002, the nonprofit Protec helmet factory is a modern manufacturing plant, utilizing the latest technology to produce high quality, affordable helmets that address the needs of Vietnamese and South Asian consumers.
Vietnamese drivers commonly complained that the full-face helmets that were on the market were too hot and heavy, restricted vision and hearing, and were not fashionable. Protec designers set out to produce an innovative new helmet design that met the unique climatic and traffic demands in Vietnam. The result was the Protec ‘Tropical’ helmet.
At 500 grams, Protec helmets are extremely lightweight and have multiple air vents to ensure airflow and a cool, comfortable ride. Protec helmets are designed more like a cycling helmet, rather than a traditional motorbike helmet. They do not cover the ears or side of the face, allowing for maximum peripheral vision and hearing.
Quality control is very important at Protec. All products are tested and certified at an on-site testing laboratory and adhere to the Vietnam National Standard TCVN 5756:2001. This standard closely resembles that of motorcycle helmets in the regarding the conditions under which the helmet must be tested (temperature, humidity) and the tests themselves (speed of impact, weight of impact).
In the manufacturing process, Protec uses EPS (expanded polystyrene) beads that are heat-processed and transformed into a hardened molded liner. Special polycarbonate sheets are vacuum-formed from master moulds to make friction-resistant outer shells for the liners, weather visors, lower shells, and buckles.
Protec employs 40 business development professionals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and 150 employees at the factory, including handicapped workers.
Protec was established not only to provide quality safety equipment, but also to enable the Asia Injury Prevention Foundation (AIP Foundation) to be self-sustaining. The Protec helmet factory was partly established through grants by American President Lines, British Petroleum, the Atlantic Philanthropies and the Starr and Freeman Foundations. While the factory is a for-profit enterprise, it is owned by the AIP Foundation and 100% of profits are directed back to AIP Foundation to fund further traffic safety programs. The pilot phase of our “Safe Fleet” program for motorbike taxi drivers in 2005 was the first project to be entirely funded by Protec.
The Protec helmet factory was partly established through grants from American President Lines, British Petroleum, the Atlantic Philanthropies and the Starr and Freeman Foundations. While the factory is a for-profit enterprise, it is owned by the AIP Foundation and 100% of profits to go fund the Foundation’s operations.
For more information on Protec, visit the Protec website.