One-stop safety shop: The benefits of a single-source PPE supplier

Buying all the workwear, PPE and site safety equipment your business needs from one single supplier is the dream scenario.

Providing you choose a good one, purchasing everything from one company is not only easier, quicker and often cheaper, but also can also lead to other efficiencies you might not have considered, including more reliable product supply and better brand consistency.

The ‘one-stop-shop’ approach to safety

There was a time when the more services or products a company offered, the less specialist it was considered to be. And that ‘Jack of all trades, master of none’ label can still apply in some circumstances.

But, when it comes to supplying the logistics industry, that isn’t the case at all.

There’s nothing wrong with a single source supply model; indeed, it has been around for generations, from the days of the first ‘general’ or department stores.

And so, the phrase ‘one-stop-shop’ isn’t necessarily a red flag in logistics procurement.

The benefits of a complete workwear and PPE package

Providing your employees with all the workwear and PPE they need to be comfortable, stay safe and represent your brand well to customers can be quite the task, depending on how many people you have on your payroll.

Choosing to work with just one supplier who can provide everything means you’ll get:

• A single point of contact – You’ll always know who to call when supplies run low, a new team member starts, or you need something different
• Economies of scale – You’ll access discounted rates when placing bulk orders and reduce your carriage costs as well as lessen the environmental impact caused by receiving multiple deliveries from a range of suppliers.
• One invoice – There will be less paperwork for your admin and finance teams to manage, thanks to more streamlined procurement and payment processes.

Establishing a partnership

We get it – entrusting your entire workwear and PPE supply to one company seems like a big deal.

However, it’s important to remember that it’s an equally big deal for your supplier, who will want to ensure they live up to your expectations so they don’t risk losing what is likely to be a significant amount of business for their company.

Instead of worrying, lean into the partnership. Take time to get to know your supplier’s team, and make sure they get to know yours.

Establishing a genuine partnership based on mutual respect, trust, consistency and transparency is not only key to a good working relationship but also holds the power to unlock additional benefits for your business.

These might include the opportunity to:

• Rationalise your product catalogue – Suppliers may offer the ability to curate a selection of the products they offer into a bespoke product catalogue, enabling you to provide your teams with a pre-approved range of products from which they can choose. Some suppliers can go one step further, offering a tailored ordering platform from which you can track spend and ensure compliance. Find out more about iSB’s own online ordering platform, Control-iT.
• Get faster, more reliable supply – A good supplier will work with you to anticipate your demand for certain products, ensuring you’re never left short of anything your business needs. They’ll maintain items in stock – including branded workwear – so orders can be fulfilled quickly. At iSB, we offer next day delivery on items held in stock!
• Improve brand consistency – Appointing a single supplier allows businesses to exercise greater control over how their brand is represented across their uniform. Don’t underestimate how helpful it is to have another brand guardian – especially one that understands how different colour treatments and designs appear differently on certain fabric types. You’ll avoid mismatched colours, maintain quality and protect your brand identity.
• Access their expertise – A reputable supplier will keep you abreast of new developments and innovations in the PPE sector so you can make informed decisions about what products to buy for your teams. You’ll also be able to ask their advice on addressing specific safety concerns, overcoming comfort challenges, designing out flaws in existing kit, or creating bespoke solutions for your workplace.
  
  

Choosing a single-source PPE supplier

So, if choosing to work with a ‘one-stop-shop’ workwear and PPE supplier is a good idea, how do you go about finding that one supplier that can do everything you need?

You’ll need to ask the right questions to ensure they can supply high quality, comfortable, durable and protective products in the necessary quantities, at a fair price and to workable timescales.

Outside of the basics, though, the decision to choose one supplier over another ultimately comes down to gut instinct.

To help you choose, we’ve listed below our ‘non-negotiables’ that you should expect a good supplier to offer:

• A dedicated account manager as a single point of contact
• Two-way contact, with them highlighting new innovations and upgraded products that may be suited to your business on a regular basis
• A choice of products wherever possible
• Plenty of information about all their products, so you can make informed decisions
• Reasoning behind all their recommended products, especially if they come with a higher price tag than an alternative
• Availability to answer questions and explore problems
• Openness to challenge, with the knowledge and experience to back up their recommendations
• Added value – early access to new products and innovations, loyalty rewards and discounts for bulk orders.

At iSB Group, we are proud to be a single-source supplier, and to provide businesses in the logistics industry with everything they need to keep their employees safe, happy, healthy and productive at work.

To find out more about how we can become your business’s trusted supply partner, please get in touch.