Players in the safety and workwear category have been treading water post-COVID. Following a surge in orders of safety equipment and PPE during the pandemic, the market experienced an influx of surplus stock between 2022 and 2023. Fast forward to 2024 and the increased focus on digital solutions and sustainability marks a step towards market growth for those open to modernisation.
One reseller that has made considerable progress in its goal to become a frontrunner in the safety category is Lyreco. The group’s Safety Business Director for the UK & Ireland, Helen Moran, says the brand evolution from Lyreco Safety to Lyreco Intersafe in April this year was a significant milestone for the UK and Ireland arm of the business.
She explains: “It isn’t merely a change in name. By merging Lyreco’s service excellence and sustainability initiatives with Intersafe’s 90 years of safety expertise, we’re better equipped to cater to our customer requirements both locally and throughout Europe. Focusing on the UK and Ireland, we’ve solidified our position as a reputable contender in a mature market.”
Durable UK has also strengthened its place in the category, with its access control and signage product lines seeing steady growth over the past 12 months. Marketing Manager Aksela Kolodziejczyk feels positive that Durable UK’s offering reflects current trends, which she sees continuing for the next year.
Says Kolodziejczyk: “We have seen a 10% growth in our access control category. This increase is likely due to the resurgence of workplace activity and the focus on creating secure environments with better control over individuals entering and exiting premises. Extending our signage range with new snap frames has also amplified demand, resulting in production exceeding our initial six-month plan.”
Economic influences
Following the challenges of COVID, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflict, the UK has faced severe economic turmoil, with no signs of much relief. This has had a knock-on effect on public sector spending, with the fall into recession at the end of 2023 marking a particularly low point. In May 2024, the Institute for Government, a UK think tank, published a report warning that government spending for the upcoming year is shrouded in more uncertainty than has been seen in decades.
For example, the UK’s health and social care budget has steadily declined since 2021. Although the British Medical Association estimates that the NHS budget will break this pattern and grow by 0.2% in 2024/2025, it cautions that this increase won’t offset the problems posed by an ageing population, long waiting lists and past underspending.
According to Beeswift CEO Darren Washbourne, the PPE and workwear market is a function of the economy: “Central government infrastructure and construction spending plus local government budgets are key factors when predicting where the PPE and workwear category will be heading in the coming months and years. Trading across the sector was inconsistent in March for many businesses, highlighting local authority budgetary controls, although April was very encouraging – one of the upsides of the new fiscal year for authorities.”
Despite Washbourne’s concern, Advantia Managing Director Steve Carter says dealers have been concentrating on building sales in the safety, security and workwear sectors to offset the decline in traditional OP sales and the decision to shift focus seems justified.
Rules and regulations
Director of Elite Office Supplies Eric Kerr believes specialist products for high-risk industries such as construction and railways are in high demand. But, he warns, in order to provide workwear to these sectors, it’s important dealers are risk-certified. He adds: “While there aren’t specific product areas to avoid, quality is crucial. There are a lot of cheap and cheerful goods which just aren’t fit for purpose.”
It’s essential when selling products in this category to ensure they have undergone extensive testing to fulfil their intended purposes. While obtaining product or business certifications may be time-consuming, they are imperative to safeguard the reputations of manufacturers and dealers, as well as potentially saving lives. “Investing in robust products minimises the risk of failure when they are needed most,” Durable’s Kolodziejczyk notes, “providing end users across diverse scenarios with peace of mind.”
During the pandemic, for example, the demand and scramble for PPE surged to unprecedented levels, leading to untested and unsafe products entering the market. Between 2022 and 2023, the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) analysed 123 non-member products and found that a staggering 79% did not meet the required testing criteria.
As a member of the BSIF, Lyreco Intersafe works together with the organisation to address this issue. “Our ongoing efforts include reviewing products closely and raising awareness among end users about the importance of avoiding inferior and non-compliant products,” states Moran. “We encourage businesses to verify the companies they purchase from are members of the BSIF Registered Safety Supplier Scheme.”
Reassuringly, Washbourne has seen these products disappear since demand has fallen: “The core PPE and workwear market has returned to pre-COVID levels of sales with little evidence of the inferior non-conforming products that emerged during that period. Those organisations that popped up in the sector due to the opportunity and the concerning products that were entering the market are no longer visible.”
Looking ahead
As with many other categories – and indeed industries – sustainability continues to be a key focus in safety and workwear. Says Washbourne: “Of the 40 million workwear garments issued each year in the UK, 90% go to landfill or are incinerated. It’s critical the industry focuses on end of life and this is an area of strength for Beeswift, having developed Envirowear which is designed to be recycled.”
The Envirowear clothing collection launched last year following Beeswift’s collaboration with circular textiles firm Plan B (read Environmentally aware for more information). Today, the range is going from strength to strength as reducing waste grows in importance. Envirowear not only originates from post-customer waste but is also fully recyclable under a closed loop circular process, ensuring the products can avoid both landfill and incineration.
At Lyreco Intersafe, its laundering and recycling services have become increasingly popular as innovations centred on recycled content gain traction. Moran highlights that reusing materials to manufacture PPE enables customers to contribute to a circular economy, in addition to offering significant cost savings. Durable has expressed equal concern for waste management as environmental consciousness heightens. “We repurpose more than 80% of our plastic waste in our manufacturing process. Furthermore, 84% of our product packaging is fully recyclable,” Kolodziejczyk asserts.
With negotiations on the UN Plastic Treaty ongoing, plastic pollution remains a pressing global concern, prompting many manufacturers to seek sustainable alternatives. One manufacturer currently eyeing the UK market is The Original CleanBoot, which is seeking distributors for its reusable overshoes. OHSA-compliant, the company aims to replace disposable plastic and paper overshoes.
Product innovation
Besides the possibilities of a circular economy, the use of smart technology in the safety and workwear category is also turning a few heads, particularly in the PPE market. The Smart Personal Protective Equipment Market by End-User, Product, Geography – Forecast and Analysis 2023-2027 by Technavio estimates market value to rise to almost $5 billion by 2027. While the report highlights that 39% of growth will originate in North America, it lists the UK as a key country contributing to the sector’s positive future.
Washbourne has also seen smart technology being applied to workwear but advises: “Product life and cost must be considered before widespread adoption. However, as with all tech-related goods, developments will drive down cost as volume growth takes place.”
Moran anticipates further developments in PPE converging with modern technology. For example, PPE manufacturers are starting to integrate NFC technology into their goods to facilitate maintenance checks and product tracking. She says: “Innovations in lone worker safety are emerging, including devices equipped with personalised SOS messaging and GPS tracking features.
“Additional services are available that connect users to alarm receiving centres for swift responses, bypassing traditional emergency call centres and ensuring rapid response.”
With locations across the globe, including the UK, manufacturer uvex has integrated wearable digital technologies to enhance the safety features of its PPE. Equipped with sensors, products including eye protection, helmets and safety shoes can react and communicate with the wearer according to the situation.
In the realm of hi-vis workwear, Kerr has observed a notable innovation. Manufacturer MiriCal Emblems introduced the Sun-Safe Indicator in 2023, ensuring that hi-vis clothing remains compliant with luminance and chromaticity standards. This patent-pending transfer can be seamlessly applied at any stage of the production process using a conventional heat seal. Explaining its importance, Kerr says: “When the hi-vis colouring begins to fade, the transfer will change colour, indicating that the garment is no longer compliant.”
Diversification is also key when developing product lines. RS, a wholesaler of industrial equipment, recently published its 2024 Health and Safety Report, drawing insights from 891 surveyed health and safety professionals across the UK and Ireland. Among the respondents, 82% emphasised the importance of enhancing PPE for women, advocating for better fit, sizes and suitability.
Traditionally, PPE and workwear have been designed for men, but Lyreco Intersafe believes customers are beginning to demand inclusivity. Says Moran: “Specialised ranges such as women’s fit, maternity and modesty options, as well as sizing that caters to diverse body types, have become increasingly popular – and rightly so.
“Wearing ill-fitting workwear reduces the functionality of its safety features and could also endanger the wearer further. We’re dedicated to protecting employees in the office, on the factory floor, and in any other working environment.”
Digital advancements
Alongside product development, digital advancements have had a noticeable effect on ordering experiences. According to Moran, there has been a clear shift towards e-commerce, complemented by the availability of expert advice when required: “In 2023, Lyreco Intersafe in the UK and Ireland took the lead in developing and launching a safety platform, empowering customers to access market insights and comprehensive product knowledge remotely, covering a wide range of safety needs. End users increasingly seek a consultative and value-added approach beyond competitive pricing.
Hybrid working has also driven the push towards digitalisation. Customers are increasingly leaning towards quick deliveries, emphasising the importance of maintaining stock availability.
Says Moran: “Lyreco Intersafe has responded by boosting our stock holding on safety products, strengthening our supply chain and expanding the range of items available for next-day delivery.”
Whether it be creating digital platforms for improved customer experience, redesigning workwear to accommodate everyone, or embracing the circular economy, it’s clear that the sector is shifting in response to changing customer and market demands. Admittedly, there are still some significant challenges in the UK, but vendors appear positive about the outlook.
