Working together

The workwear rental market has changed considerably over the last few years. Consolidation has had a major impact with larger companies now dominating the sector.

A market with fewer players presents chances for ideas and innovations to come to the fore, and for the laundries to build working relationships both with both their workwear supplier and clients. From the suppliers point of view the challenge is to work with the rental companies to take the sector forward.

Rental workwear offers the end-user a totally managed garment service, from supply, to wash and repair, to delivery.

Information Detailed information about the garment itself is often available, stored in a chip or barcode. This information is becoming increasingly important, for both the laundry and end-user. The barcode will include the start date of the contract, allowing the age of the garment to be seen at a glance. Such information allows timely orders for replacement garments to be made.

The name and payroll number of the wearer is encoded and also the number of washes the garment has had. This wash information is particularly important for the laundry as it may have to deal with fabrics and finishes that have their own shelf-life.

The performance of garments can be evaluated more closely than ever before. Laundries and garment suppliers can use the data gathered to make adjustments and improvements where necessary.

The definition of workwear is changing. A few years ago, heavy industry was the main user of rented workwear. This sector made simple demands. It wanted cotton-drill boilersuits. Garments were manufactured from fabrics that withstood heavy staining and tough cleaning processes. Now rented workwear must provide a wider range of garments and fabrics to meet the needs of a broad spread of industry sectors. End-users have more specific requirements.

Food trade

The food trade and the high-tech industries are becoming increasingly important to the rental market and there is an opportunity for the laundries to offer a service that encompasses all their demands.

While the traditional three-garment weekly-issue remains, rental companies need to take on-board the fact that many variations to this standard service now operate and that these key sectors have specific demands. Workers in the food trade have to change their uniforms more frequently, sometimes as often as twice a day. Many workers have colour-coded collars or badges to identify the section of the food production area in which they work. Health and Safety legislation and guidelines on preferred practice have had their own impact on the rental sector.

Advances in technology have led to the development of a new generation of fabrics to satisfy the rigorous demands of the food industry. This new generation includes antistatic and barrier fabrics.

Challenge

For suppliers involved in workwear rental, the challenge is to ensure that clients receive the right service, so that they in turn can meet their customers’ expectations. The demands of the wearers should be at the forefront of design.

In many industries, a more casual approach to workwear is developing, polo shirts, sweatshirts and fleeces are seen alongside traditional styles. The market requires both innovative garment design and increased service levels. This trend is driven by preferred practices, by European legislation and by the desire to be comfortable and look good.

Colour also plays an important part. Royal blue and navy are still the top sellers and white, of course, remains the undisputed champion for the food trade. However the need to build a corporate identity is bringing new colours into the repertoire. Greys, greens, burgundies and oranges are increasing in popularity.

Close relationship

A close working relationship between the garment provider and the rental laundry is the key to developing both companies’ service. Conversations with the rental laundry should start as soon as it makes the first approaches to its client.

Understanding the client’s brief is of course essential. Interpreting it into the most suitable workwear solution requires expertise and detailed sector knowledge drawn from years of experience.

Key issues include ensuring that the fabrics recommended are fit for their intended purpose and seeing that they comply with relevant legislation.

Does the fabric meet the design brief? Does it meet the requirements of the laundry? Long-term contracts mean that fabrics must be readily available into the future. At an early stage the supplier needs to check whether the fabric is available both for initial installation and for add-ons in months to come. The sooner such questions are asked and answered and the sooner that the garment provider is brought into the equation, the better for all concerned.

Working with Alexandra, rental companies can be safe in the knowledge that they are working with Europe’s leading clothing supplier and that it fully understands the needs of both the laundry and the end-user.

Early consultation

Account managers will work closely with clients to ensure that installation dates are realistically set. Early consultation is essential to offer the client the best possible service, to ensure that the garment remains fit for purpose, and to meet the requirements of both client and the rental company.

Designers will produce story boards together with samples of fabrics and garments for the laundry to use in its own presentations. Additional services such as packing, barcoding, badging and embroidery can all be provided. Alexandra also offers a comprehensive screen-printing, embroidery and badging service and will work with the client on the best positioning on the garment to create maximum impact.

Aftersales service is equally important to the process and regular contact with the customer services team ensures stock and delivery information is shared.

Additionally, the company is rolling out an Internet-based information system. Stock availability, price, and delivery-status data will be available on line. This is above all a service industry. Alexandra will maintain its leading position by taking full advantage of the latest Internet technology.

Rental companies need to ensure that they have the right product range to meet the changing demands of their clients. Companies such as Alexandra can provide an innovative service that ensures the customer is receiving a top class offer at an extremely competitive price.