Modern protective clothing and work wear combine both style and function. Purchasing decision-makers from different industries and companies of all sizes can satisfy themselves of this at the A+A 2013 exhibition in Düsseldorf, the leading international trade fair and conference on personal protection, operational safety and health in the workplace.
More and more industries, trades and service companies are choosing protective clothing and work wear inspired by fashion, with the aim of sharpening up their brand image and brand management for the internal and external representation of their company. With over 1600 exhibitors from about 60 countries A+A 2013 from 5 to 8 November is one of the most important market platforms in the world for work wear, including for example the ever more popular sector of corporate fashion/image wear.
Dr. Walter Eichendorf, Deputy Managing Director of Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung, DGUV (German social accident insurance) and a member of the A+A 2013 advisory board, cuts to the chase: „The advertising effect for a local business or tradesman could not be better.“ „People can see straight away from clothing or a car that plumbers, electricians or painters are working in the area. If they’re looking for a tradesman themselves, they’ll ask the neighbours how pleased they were with the work. They may even make contact directly because they can still clearly remember the name and company logo,“ Eichendorf continues. More and more, the company that stands out is the one that comes across as professional and friendly.
Wer arbeitet, ist oft den ganzen Tag in denselben Schuhen „auf den Beinen“. Geht es um Berufs- und Schutzschuhe, sind daher neben der Schutzfunktion auch die Passform und der Tragekomfort besonders wichtig. Denn Schuhe, die nicht richtig sitzen, können die Gefährdungen am Arbeitsplatz noch verstärken. Ihre passgenauen Lösungen für ein hohes Maß an Sicherheit bei gleichzeitig gutem Tragekomfort präsentieren die Schutzschuhanbieter im Rahmen der A+A 2013 in Düsseldorf.
Staff as company ambassadors
Whether it’s kitchen fitting, plumbing and heating or even window cleaning – in the customer’s environment, the right appearance matters. However, those employed in industry, trades or the service sector also have their own interest in their outfit: anyone wearing work clothes in public, for example on their way to work or going for lunch, wants the clothing to look good and be flattering. „Even though the key feature is functionality, no one buys things any more that don’t look stylish,“ says Carla Teichmüller, Product Manager for A+A exhibitor Bierbaum-Proenen. The work wear specialist, which has its headquarters in Cologne, has therefore been working for years on using sporty solutions in line with the zeitgeist. „Clothing has to look modern but mustn’t look unusual, so it can be used over a long period,“ explains Rainer Glaesemer, clothing specialist at W.L. Gore & Associates (Putzbrunn), which has been exhibiting at A+A in Düsseldorf for many years.
A+A Fashion Show presents the trends
At the A+A 2013 exhibition in November, as well as getting a look at exhibitor’s offerings, there will be an impressive A+A fashion show every day of the fair (Live Pavilion right next to Halls 4 + 5) with the participation of leading suppliers of corporate fashion and protective clothing: Classic blue overalls are out. Fresh colours and design, more variety and possible combinations, and ease of care are the order of the day. Gone are the two-piece outfits of overalls and a jacket. The layering principle found in sport has arrived in the world of work. Younger users love sweatshirts, fleece jackets, hoodies and waistcoats, but softshell jackets are popular too. Some work wear specialists also carry waterproof pilot jackets. Staff also enjoy putting an outfit together themselves. Different combinations are possible because the collections are modular. „Using our modular system, people can choose everything to match, including polo shirts and sweatshirts,“ says Werner Münnich from CWS boco in Dreieich (also an A+A exhibitor). The trend towards individualisation isn’t stopping when it comes to the world of work.
Service around clothing
Another trend in the world of work is the use of textile services. According to Peter Böge, Chairman of the Industrieverband Textil Service e.V. (industry association of textile services), the textile services industry is looking ahead with confidence. No wonder, as their product range is multifaceted – it isn’t industry-specific and it doesn’t matter whether their clients are small companies or large businesses.
Alongside high-quality textiles and attendance, textile hire and textile leasing service companies offer hygiene services and quality management for example. A widespread model is a company purchasing the clothing itself and then getting a professional laundry firm to wash and care for it. This guarantees proper cleaning and hygiene. Even industrial washing is getting gentler on products. This in turn extends the life-cycle and make products more economical. Now even the increasingly popular sweat shirts, t-shirts and polo shirts are more suitable for industrial washing.
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