Case study: Walking With The Wounded cases withstand -35°C

Walking With the Wounded, a charity set up to support ex-military personnel, approached GWP to help participants in an extreme challenge. With a team of 12, plus charity patron Prince Harry, undertaking an expedition to the South Pole, GWP was tasked with supplying protective cases to prevent damage to personal possessions, communications gear, and equipment.

Despite facing temperatures of -35 °C, the cases GWP donated ensured that none of their contents were damaged or became unusable during the challenge.

Walking With The Wounded organised an expedition for three teams of wounded servicemen and women to complete a 335km race to the South Pole.

Teams from the UK (led by Prince Harry, the charity’s patron), the US and the Commonwealth (Australia and Canada) undertook the gruelling challenge to raise money and awareness of those wounded while serving their countries.

The participants all needed to carry valuable possessions and equipment, such as personal cameras and satellite phones. While minimising the weight of the participants’ equipment was vital, the organisers recognised that the extreme temperatures, potentially falling to -35°C, had the potential to damage the teams’ gear.

As such, the UK team sought a suitable solution to protect the valuable electronic equipment against the ruthless conditions.

With most briefs GWP Protective receive, there is a strong focus on designing a solution tailored to the specific application.

However, with the equipment and possessions of each team member varying, the project became more about GWP’s expertise on the available case options.

With General Manager Richard Coombes working closely with designer William Lamb, GWP quickly identified several options. They eventually settled on supplying the team with Peli Storm cases.

Participants would be able to use these cases in temperatures from as low as -40°C without fear of hinges sticking or breaking. They are also completely waterproof and virtually impossible to break. It is even possible to drive a vehicle over the cases without breaking them.

GWP Protective also provided cubed foam inserts for each of the cases, which allowed each team member to customise the case for their own items. The semi-bespoke foam further enhanced the security and protection against shock and vibration that the cases offered.

GWP Protective donated a case to each of the participants, as well as the support crews, who were also taking part.

Overcoming extreme conditions and pulling heavy sledges, the three teams completed the journey of over 200 miles across the Antarctic Plateau, reaching the South Pole in December.

The Peli Storm cases supplied by GWP Protective protected all the equipment and belongings stored within them from both the elements and accidental damage. In fact, even with temperatures dropping as low as -35 °C, the cases maintained their level of performance and usability.

Each of the twelve participants, following the completion of the challenge, reported that all of their equipment remained protected and usable throughout the gruelling challenge.

Victoria Nicholson, Expedition Manager at Walking With the Wounded, commented:

We are delighted to have the support of GWP Group, which has enabled the teams to safely carry much-needed and valuable electronic equipment without items succumbing to the harsh environment in which they travelled.

Chris Downey, one of the participants in the challenge, said;

When I was first given the case, I thought to myself, ‘Do I really need this extra weight?’ Once in Antarctica, the answer was yes! Not only did it store and protect all my electronic equipment, such as my solar panel kit, mini speaker, iPod, spare batteries and so on, but it was the perfect night table. It provided a flat, stable surface when I was in my tent. I would set up my mini speaker and iPod for the evening and rest my diary on it, keeping it off the ground.

Another of those who took part, Eric Philips (Polar explorer), added;

As a polar guide, I need to carry a wide range of fragile and sensitive equipment, including communications gear, cameras, and medicines. Without GWP’s protective case, I would not only have risked damaging or destroying important kit, but I could also imperil an entire expedition. The cases were light, strong and reliable, a real must-carry item on any expedition.

Due to the success of the cases and the interest in the challenge, BBC Radio Wiltshire presenter Ben Prater visited GWP Group’s Cricklade factory to record an interview with Group Business Development Director Ian Heskins and Marketing Manager Matt Dobson.

The interview was aired on Wednesday, 13th November, on the Breakfast Show, and was available on the BBC iPlayer for seven days. You can also listen to the interview using the link below.

The Peli Storm cases supplied by GWP on the expedition to the South Pole, and the protection they provided, passed this most gruelling of tests with flying colours. But you could just as easily apply their performance to protecting the tools, equipment or specialist products that your business uses on a day-to-day basis.

If you would like to discuss the protective cases and foam inserts your business needs, or if you are facing challenges in protecting your vital equipment, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.