Guide to Procuring Workwear and Protective Clothing

Workwear (also corporate wear, company clothing, corporate uniforms) and protective clothing (PPE, high-visibility, flame-retardant, welding, arc flash, weather protection, cold protection) are essential elements of corporate equipment.

But what should be considered when making a purchase? 
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1. General Considerations
At first glance, procurement (purchase, leasing, or rental) seems simple:
Select models and colors, negotiate the price, agree on delivery dates – done.
In practice, however, the process is much more complex.
Many factors influence success, ranging from material choice to logistics.
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2. Off-the-shelf or customized clothing?

• Off-the-shelf: Ready-made collections in various designs, colors, and with functional details.
• Customized clothing: Tailor-made solutions aligned with the corporate identity and functional requirements of the company.

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3. Possible Procurement Sources
Specialist retailers (brand offerings)
• ✅ Competent advice
• ❌ Higher prices
• ❌ Limited size availability, special sizes hard to obtain
• ❌ Supply chain transparency often lacking
• ✅ Company logo customization available
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Direct from brands 
• ✅ Easy online availability check
• ✅ Fast delivery in standard sizes
• ❌ Fabric qualities not freely selectable
• ✅ Prices slightly below retail
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Service providers (e.g. industrial laundries)
• ✅ Rental including laundry services
• ✅ Fabrics optimized for industrial washing
• ✅ Stock management and support for multiple company sites
• ❌ Generally more expensive
• ❌ Few providers willing to process external clothing
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Logistics companies (storage & order processing)
• ✅ Focus on financing, storage, online catalogs, order picking
• ✅ Flexible supply chains, sustainability aspects can be integrated
• ✅ Future-oriented and often cost-effective
• ❌ Clothing expertise often outsourced
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Trading companies (standard and custom clothing)
• ✅ Lower prices
• ✅ Often many years of experience
• ❌ Dependent on existing supply chains
• ❌ Limited influence on manufacturers
• ❌ Limited financial resources for pre-financing
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Direct procurement from manufacturers worldwide
• ✅ By far the most cost-effective option
• ✅ Avoids traditional distribution channels
• ✅ Can be combined with logistics partners
• ❌ Strongly recommended to involve procurement experts
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4. Special challenges for small companies

• Customized clothing is difficult to source → better to choose from available collections that fit corporate identity.
• Many suppliers promote “customization” without pointing out the complexity → leads to frustration and reluctance in future projects.

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5. Key Procurement Criteria

• Materials: Comfort, durability, functionality
• Colors: Alignment with corporate identity, minimum order quantities required
• Design: Timeless style (since workwear is worn for several years, unlike fast fashion)
• Functionality: Pockets and other features tailored to employees’ needs
• Range of items: From T-shirts to weather gear – ideally in a consistent design line
• Sizes: Standard sizes often insufficient → availability of special sizes essential
• Order quantities & timing: Initial outfitting vs. reorders, supply chains must be defined early
• Timeline: Production and delivery times often underestimated, even for off-the-shelf products
• Origin & sustainability: Transparent supply chains, fair production conditions, avoiding “greenwashing”
• Prices: Comparable only with detailed written specifications (“performance descriptions”)
• Care properties: Suitability for home washing vs. industrial laundry (e.g., washing temperature, drying, number of cycles)
• Wear duration & supply guarantees: Off-the-shelf collections have limited lifespans, while custom-made clothing ensures continuity

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6. Conclusion & Recommendation
Whether you choose off-the-shelf or customized clothing, both options involve high procurement complexity.
👉 Involving an independent textile expert at the start:

• ensures smooth processes,
• prevents costly mistakes,
• and leads to significant cost savings during the project.

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7. Our Offer
With 45 years of experience in global procurement of workwear and protective clothing, I am happy to assist you.

📞 In a free initial consultation, we can discuss your project phases and develop a tailored activity plan.