The 2020-2021 financial year is concluding as the most challenging but defining year for Industrial Workwear, as the Durham based workwear supplier is set to witness over a £500,000 ‘well earned’ increase in sales.
Underpinning and driving the growth has been our highly experienced, customer-obsessed and tirelessly-working team, which is set to grow as Industrial Workwear opens up 5 new live job vacancies. The recruitment drive will utilise the Government Kickstarter scheme for 2 new Operations apprenticeships, alongside two new vacancies within our Account Management department and one Stores Controller.
The company has also been able to give back to the local community, donating thousands-of-pounds worth of face masks to the local academy, local food bank donations and selling essential PPE such as masks at heavy losses to support front line and essential businesses.
Shane Parkins, eCommerce Manager “The journey Industrial Workwear have been on for the last 12 months has placed them firmly as a serious player in the Workwear, Uniform and PPE industry. What we’ve accomplished here is nothing short of remarkable. The increase in sales and market share has gone to a very deserving business, one who stands by local community, staff and their customers, no matter that the cost is to the business.”
“We’ve pivoted the full business to our core values of being service driven, this has allowed us to diversify, counteracting significant amounts of our customers going dormant with Furlough by attracting and winning new business, accelerating us into significant growth. Business owners are navigating Brexit supply issues, current-supplier failures, pricing volatilities and the pandemic uncertainties, they are needing a safe pair of hands – we’ve heard of some absolute horror shows out there”.
“We’re not standing still either, there are several major contracts we are expecting to have a shot at over the coming months and we’re forecasting further growth into 2022.”
Obsessed with reinvesting to improve service, the company is planning significant investment in two new print machines, which will allow us to drive a turnaround times which have never been possible by Industrial Workwear in the past. This will build upon the company’s deliver-on-time milestone of 99% in the last 12 months.
Sarah Hopper, General Manager “I’m incredibly proud of the staff here, to say they have gone above and beyond for our customers is a massive understatement. Understandably, at times we have all felt the pressure, ensuring all our customers are catered for. Customers who needed protective equipment to keep their doors open, uniform for staff to operate and above all else a safe pair of hands with expert advice. We truly have a focused, driven and fantastic team here at IWL! “.
Industrial Workwear also understand that the repivot of the business, with the ability to keep trading effectively, wouldn’t be possible without the support of Durham County Council and the business relief provided by the Government, although the business has come out of the other side in a positive light, the journey has been incredibly turbulent and uncertain.
The company would also like to extend its gratitude to the businesses who continue to use Industrial Workwear, the local community for supporting us and our staff, who have helped pave a new vision and direction of travel for the full company.