Tired of suffering the inclement weather, Nicolás Molina, Matías Arias, Julián Sánchez and Kevin Schejter, decided to undertake and create an invention that allows them to carry out their activities outdoors without having to cover themselves with many clothes to withstand the cold. They got together, tried different alternatives, analyzed the market and finally decided to create WanderWarm.
This is how the brand came regarding
Kevines Industrial Engineer and commercial manager of the company (leads the marketing area). In dialogue with Scope remembered that “In the beginning, the original idea was Nicolas and mine; we had chatted in 2019 regarding the possibility of manufacturing heated clothing. We tried to start, but due to the study of our university careers, (we did not have enough time to dedicate to it) we might not start. The following year, in the midst of a pandemic (I had traveled to the USA to ski, where I saw heated gloves and socks), we added Matías and Julián (Julián’s family owns a well-known textile company, they helped us a lot in the beginning). We decided to do some tests and we shaped it (first we made vests). Now we have vests, leggings and jackets with heating, on the other hand, we also manufacture jumpsuits, t-shirts and sell caps”.
The reasons why they undertook were clear from the beginning. “Partly out of a need of our own, when it came to doing our favorite activities (the four of us are big fans of outdoor activities), we were limited in the winter to not doing them or having to wear too many clothes to keep us warm (discomfort )”he argues.
And it points to the objective of the brand: “What we are looking for with our products, in addition to our value proposition, which is heating, is that they be classic products (aesthetically spectacular and of superlative quality), so that the people who buy them can use them both in the winter season and in summer. the rest of the year. Customers end up using the products every day, they don’t take them out anymore.”
The four friends have known each other since they were 2 years oldThey were schoolmates and also live nearby. Today there are three who are working with the project and “We are going to add new products and new technology by 2023it’s a surprise!,” forward Kevin.
How to use the jacket
“The operation is as follows, dInside each garment we integrate the heating system, leaving a USB connector and a button so that the user can interact with the product.. The USB It is used to connect it to our power source (a powerbank or a USB connector, it is used to connect it directly to the connector of the motorcycles), the latter feeds the heating system with current, and this energy is dissipated in the form of heat in each pad (the pads have a very fine copper framework through which the current circulates). The energy we use does not put the user at riskis a very small amount (5 volts and 2 amps)”, the young engineer explains in detail.
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And he adds: “With the button, one can turn the heating system on or off (normally, the system is not on all day, if it is cold it turns it on, and when it reaches a place with a pleasant temperature it turns it off). The button (switcher) allows us to regulate the temperature, heating systems have 3 operating temperatures. (37 C, 45 C and 55 C).
Regarding the operation of the batteries, Kevin clarifies that they are recharged like a telephone, inside its packaging comes the cable to charge it and what’s more, it also serves to charge cell phones “.
The impact on the public
Regarding the return of the public, Kevin was very grateful for the impact that each of the products have had. “At first we aimed at extreme cold conditions and then we realized that people use it for countless things (motorcycling, skiing, trekking, cycling, work, fishing and for their daily lives). We sell through our website wanderwarm.com.ar, also wholesale sales, both to our distributors in the different provinces, and to companies. We highlight works such as with ski schools (SKIMAX in Bariloche), as well as with car dealers (Yacopini Mercedez Benz in Mendoza)”.
They also added that they are “working on new sales channels abroad and the production of products does not stop in any month of the year. We always work once morest the season with production, since, with seasonal demands, it happens that at its peaks it exceeds our real production capacity (we must make stock to avoid shortages)”.
brand expansion
With clear and concrete objectives, the young entrepreneurs aim for the brand to expand throughout the world. “We have made contact with Chile, Brazil, Uruguay and the United States. Chile is more advanced, that probably in 2023 we will have distribution at the country level, and on the other hand, the United States is also in process, We have sent samples to several companies interested in distributing our products (they have been satisfied with our quality, which is gratifying, since the American standard is very high)”Kevin assured.
And he completed, by way of reflection and example for young people who have not yet decided to undertake: “The first 2 years were almost ad honorem (The first literal year we did not receive salaries and the second, salaries that were very low). Today, luckily, we can live on this, we work hard and with great care. We are passionate regarding what we do and are fans of our company. We have offices and a warehouse for daily operations, and the idea is to continue growing. We are working on new projects to promote the local and regional economy. Our vision is to be the leading heated clothing company in the South American market (who says that tomorrow, we will aim at a global level. Step by Step…”
