Exploiting Expertise

Textile rental companies have the knowledge, experience and expertise in all aspects of garment aftercare to offer a valuable service to the workwear industry.

This industry exhibition allows them to update that expertise, but by putting their business in a broader context they may also see ways of improving that service. Meeting potential customers on neutral ground and perhaps gaining an insight into a clothing buyer’s role may spark ideas, as to how they can make even greater use of their complementary skills.

Workwear buyers face a complex task, far more so than appears at first. The brief might seem simple in outline. However, where it has to be applied across a nationwide group with hundreds of units and staff of all ages, sizes, social and genetic groupings, the scope and depth of skills required becomes apparent, as does the potential for problems.

The range of garments and styles is diverse from protective headwear and jackets, (which must meet statutory requirements) to more general garments, and even structured suits and leisurewear. Garments must match the company image, but also appeal to staff and suit a range of shapes and sizes. They must be comfortable to wear and meet the practical requirements of the job.

Economic considerations, such as the numbers and turnover of staff, will come into play. Many buyers do not realise how long the process will take. From planning to delivery may take up to 18 months.

Planning The first stage in the buying process will be to establish a planning team who will look at all the criteria both for style selection and for budget—including all aspects of aftercare.

The team will need to represent employee and business interests across the company, including those responsible for recruitment and company image, wearers, and in some cases, unions.

In addition to straightforward considerations of selection and maintenance the budget will have to cover special needs—staff whose sizes are outside the norm, maternity needs and ethnic requirements.

After the initial planning stages have been completed, the project will involve research to gauge staff and customer reaction. Fabric manufacturers need to be brought in to ensure that the fabric not only suits the chosen style and company image, but does not compromise on performance.

Workwear, in particular, may have to face up to tough performance standards, both environmental and functional.

Larger organisations may conduct extensive wearer trials to help set up the parameters for the clothing programme. In cases of high staff-turnover, one concern may be to minimise any wastage through ordering for staff who then leave, throwing the forecast of required sizes out of kilter.

To counter this, a recycling and refurbishment operation may prove to be cost effective.

For maximum efficiency, suppliers should produce a roll-out schedule, briefing the customer service and warehouse teams and also supplying individual sites with delivery dates and sufficient information to allow efficient internal distribution.

This brief rundown of the factors involved in a clothing programme highlights the role that the suppliers’ expertise and experience can play.

Businesses may want to delegate much of the management and organisational side to their supplier. Suppliers may be able to capitalise by offering a complete package from design and manufacture through to aftercare and contract management.

Rental laundries have the opportunity to fulfil a similar stress-relieving function by taking on the responsibility of purchase, maintenance and cleaning of a clothing programme—particularly in workwear.

Correct aftercare plays a vital role in ensuring the efficiency of a programme, by prolonging garment life and reducing replacement costs, as well as maintaining company image.

Cleaning tokens or vouchers provide employers with a further option. They are available from a number of suppliers and may cover repair, alteration and refurbishment as well as drycleaning.

The market for cleaning tokens is growing, as greater emphasis is placed on aftercare and maintenance.

Such growth will go a long way to benefiting the high street drycleaner.