Within Europe, we remain in an unprecedented period of sustained hyperinflation. Due to price increases across the supply chain, we see many end users in Europe postponing their protective clothing purchases. But what is the knock-on effect of this for the wearer, and how can that be mitigated?
How has hyperinflation affected the PPE-clothing supply chain?
The manufacture of protective clothing is one that is energy-intensive. Due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, the cost of energy has dramatically risen across Europe. This has meant that the cost of garments has risen in order to cover the soaring cost of energy used in the production process.
Why do PPE-garments need to be replaced?
Protective clothing may need to be replaced for a variety of reasons. Within a workplace, different working processes may be introduced which call for extra protections for the wearer; or new norms may come into effect across an industry, both of which would require workwear to be updated. More commonly, workwear may need to be updated because it has run its natural lifecycle. Allowing old workwear to be worn past its course runs the risk of the fabric being used in overtime, leading to damaged fabric, holes that compromise the wearers’ safety, and lessened FR-protection.
Weighing up higher costs with smarter choices
With the price of garments having risen by up to 40% in some cases, it may seem fiscally unattractive to consider purchasing new garments. Indeed, at first glance it may seem wise to postpone purchases until such a time as hyperinflation begins to recede. However, by delaying your purchases, you place the safety and comfort of the wearer at risk. So, how do you make an informed choice that balances these two elements?
The key is making the right choice when it comes to protective workwear for your workplace. By re-evaluating your workwear, and looking at how improvements can be made across all aspects — not only safety and comfort but durability and overall garment lifetime — you can make an investment that ultimately saves you more money in the longterm. Now is the time to look at purchasing workwear that will go the distance, and require less frequent replacement in the future.
Ultimately, protective clothing is an enabler for your workers to do their work to the best of their ability. Delaying on protective clothing solutions, in turn, may compromise both your workers and the work that they carry out.
Proclaud®: the protective clothing audit
So, how do you go about selecting protective clothing that will save you more in the long-term? Why not consider Proclaud®: a free protective clothing audit designed to evaluate the needs and wants of your wearers. Many industries are already making use of Proclaud® to make more durable, long-lasting choices for the future — and you can too.
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