Finding middle ground
June 1st 2005 Billing itself as a problem solving company IGTC was originally established to assist companies in solving their disposable glove problems. IGTC has strong links with Nitritex and works closely with the company to resolve glove issues. Although only having been established since March 2004 the company has already moved forwrd and is now supplying workwear. Meeting Simon Norton and Scott Giblin at the Safety & Health Expo recently the two men were keen to talk about their newly introduced (to the UK) range of workwear, MacMichael. “The MacMichael range” says Simon Norton “combines quality and price. The [PPE] market usually offers one or the other, but with this new range we are filling the void in the middle ground”. Of Danish manufacture and previously not available in the UK the range has been extensively piloted in Denmark.
The range has been designed with durability and functionality, comfort and stylish practicality as standard. The MacMichael trousers are stitched with reinforced triple stitched French seams, all stress points on trousers and jackets are bar tacked and reinforced to give added strength. All of the trousers, coveralls and bib and brace garments in the range come with external knee pad pockets as standard. The knee pad pockets have become more popular as, when used in conjunction with the knee pad inserts they can help prevent injury.
All of the jackets in the range benefit from a generous number of pockets together with strong linings. These jackets give the wearer enough capacity to store numerous tools, measuring equipment and even mobile phones and PDA’s. The tough polycotton fabric used in the garments gives the range durability and strength. The finished product meets the end users needs for functionality, comfort and design.
Substance and style It is essential that workwear today not only meets the individual’s needs for functionality but also has stylish looks. As we know sourcing PPE to protect the workforce is only half of the battle, a greater issue is getting the workforce to wear the garments. In order to address this issue IGTC is only supplying products from the MacMichael range that are suitable for the UK marketplace. As Simon says “Europe is more flexible to new ideas than the UK...we tend to have a conservative attitude.” One area where this can be seen is in the colours that the range is available in.
“If we stocked red, orange and beige” says Simon Norton “no-one would want to buy it. Navy/Royal blue, ampathsite (grey) and black represent the popular colour wave and represent 80% of the workwear garments in the UK.” However, while the colouring of the MacMichael range that IGTC are distributing is conservative, high fashion is increasingly making its way into the cut and shape of the garments. “Combat style workwear, low rise cut trousers and trainer-styled footwear are especially relevant to the younger generation” says Simon. The MacMichael range demonstrates an awareness of the balancing act that has to be performed between letting people demonstrate their individuality with an eye to corporate uniformity and the top priority of functionality. The above is not an easy balance to achieve but as Simon says “The old adage of ‘a happy workforce is a productive workforce’ is true.” Underwear As well as a range of jackets, boiler suits, bib, braces and trousers IGTC will also stock MacMichael’s brand new underwear range. “This is a natural extension for us” says Simon “customers have already been asking us ‘What are you doing for the winter?” Being a Danish company you would expect them to know everything about keeping warm for the winter and there will be a full range of thermal undergarments available. Also, available is a quilted winter boilersuit and fleece – reflecting the fact that although people have to work outdoors they don’t necessarily want to wear big bulky coats but prefer to build up thin layers.
Disposable workwear is also available from IGTC and again its range of Clean-Tough fabric garments is aimed at the ‘affordable quality’ market. This low linting fabric has been stringently tested and is suited to clean room environments. The BioClean D type 5/6 hooded coverall is the flagship garment and unusually it can be supplied sterile from stock (irradiated in the UK) with full quality documentation available.
Filling the void in the middle ground in terms of price and quality it can also be seen that IGTC is filling a void for end users because of the consultancy style service that they operate. This flexibility is particularly true of the company’s glove business where the close relationship with Nitritex can mean that in some instances a glove product can go from being a concept to being stocked product very quickly.
The addition of the MacMichael workwear range to its offering means that IGTC are now better placed to help end users with their PPE requirements. A quick glance at the company’s website (www.itgc.co.uk) will give more of a flavour of what the company has available and should, if web development ideas go to plan become a good source of general PPE information. End users should though be unafraid about contacting the company in regards to solving any unusual applications that they have, “We positively encourage it” says Simon “we like the customers to dictate to us.” More articles from Independant Glove Techn. Co: | 
