A Safe Tomorrow is our strategic plan to help secure a safer future by being more sustainable in how we develop and deliver products and services and how we work with customers and partners.
Arco Wins Prestigious Award for Circular Hi-Vis Range
We are delighted to announce that Arco has been awarded the prestigious 'Recycled Product of the Year Award' at the 2023 MRW National Recycling Awards, recognising the innovative 'Arco Responsible Hi-Vis' clothing range created to tackle excessive waste in a niche and difficult to recycle segment of the clothing industry.
The 'Recycled Product of the Year' category required the product entered to exemplify the best of sustainability that must have been designed with careful consideration of resources and incorporate recycled content.
Through a partnership with polyester recycling company, Stuff4Life, Arco's Responsible Hi-Vis garments are designed to last longer, made from certified recycled and responsibly-sourced materials, and developed with end of life in mind, focusing on the recyclability of materials.
Once a garment comes to the end of its life, it can be recycled using Stuff4Life's patent-pending chemical recycling solution that’s currently in development, with the recovered materials from the recycling process becoming valuable raw materials that can be transformed back into new polyester yarn for garment production over and over again.
Dalvir Sarkaria, Product and Procurement Manager said:
"We are delighted to have been awarded 'Recycled Product of the Year' for this range. This is an incredible achievement for Arco under our own brand and further enhances our focus on working towards a circular approach to product development."
Jim Harbidge, Head of Sustainability at Arco said:
"This award confirms our view of a future where the value of textiles is preserved through the process we have developed. As we and our customers begin to move away from thinking about these items as 'disposable', we have been able to incorporate other aspects of design to offer comfort, durability, recycling ease and of course lower life-time costs. Our aim is to make the most sustainable items also the lowest cost choice. Our new range is already available to customers who are working with arco on their journey to circularity."
John Twitchen, Co-Founder of Stuff4Life said:
"This award is the result of all the hard work and commitment Arco has made in developing these exceptionally well-designed products. Nearly 90 per cent of the 33 million workwear items provided to workers annually currently end up in landfill1 or are incinerated but this workwear range is fit for the future, a future where materials have multiple usages and longer lifecycles.
We're pleased to have played a role in challenging conventions and championing change, and of course we look forward to recycling these fantastic products back into new stuff when they have served their purpose."
Our new store in Belfast is now open and is packed with the best gear. Come and join the celebrations this week to benefit from:
Unmissable exclusive offers from brands such as MASCOT, Snickers, DeWALT, Berghaus
FREE Berghaus bag for first 100 customers to make a purchase
Meet Experts in Safety: Our Hose and Vending experts are on hand offering help and advice, plus experts from brands you know and trust from Berghaus, Snickers and MASCOT
On-Site Face Fit Testing: Face-fit testers are on-site throughout the opening week and 30-minute appointments can be booked for just £50 ex VAT with a FREE Sundstrom SR 900 Half-Face Respirator Mask with P3 Filer Kit upon completion. Simply give the store a call to book a slot that's convenient for you.
PLUS a Charity Prize Draw and food and refreshments throughout the launch day.
The new Safety Store has been enhanced to better serve the community, offering 2,000 products in stock to choose from and over 22,000 additional products available through a click and collect service.
The store stocks a range of personal protective equipment and workwear from the biggest and most trusted brands like TROJAN, MASCOT, Snickers, DeWALT, Berghaus, with exclusive discount prices throughout the opening week.
Arco inventory managed solutions experts will be on site all week to discuss vending machine and asset locker solutions, along with Arco’s hose and reels expert on the 20th and 21st of November. Product experts from Berghaus, Snickers and Uvex will also be available on site on opening day to support customers with advice on selecting the right products for their needs.
The new store features customer seminar rooms for bespoke training sessions and provides accredited Fit2Fit Face Fit testing enabling customers to test their face masks to ensure they provide the necessary respiratory protection. Throughout the opening week, customers can call ahead and book a 30-minute Face Fit Test appointment for £50 ex VAT with a free Sundstrom SR900 Half-Face Respirator Mask and P3 Filter Kit worth £47 inc VAT given upon completion.
You can find the Belfast store: 10 Mayfield Link, Newtownabbey, BT36 4AW, five minutes away from its previous location on Trench Road.
Arco, is relocating its Belfast Safety Store on Monday 20th November to 10 Mayfield Link, Newtownabbey, BT36 4AW, five minutes away from its previous location on Trench Road. The new store will be unveiled by Northern Irish local and World Snooker number four, Mark Allen.
To mark the occasion, Arco will be giving away free Berghaus bags with the first 100 purchases made in store, hosting a charity prize draw and providing on-site safety experts for consultations. Heavy discounts will be applied throughout the opening week on clothing and testing services.
The new Safety Store has been enhanced to better serve the community, offering 2,000 products in stock to choose from and over 22,000 additional products available through a click and collect service.
The store stocks a range of personal protective equipment and workwear from the biggest and most trusted brands like TROJAN, MASCOT, Snickers, DeWALT, Berghaus, with exclusive discount prices throughout the opening week.
Arco inventory managed solutions experts will be on site all week to discuss vending machine and asset locker solutions, along with Arco’s hose and reels expert on the 20th and 21st of November. Product experts from Berghaus, Snickers and Uvex will also be available on site on opening day to support customers with advice on selecting the right products for their needs.
The new store features customer seminar rooms for bespoke training sessions and provides accredited Fit2Fit Face Fit testing enabling customers to test their face masks to ensure they provide the necessary respiratory protection. Throughout the opening week, customers can call ahead and book a 30-minute Face Fit Test appointment for £50 ex VAT with a free Sundstrom SR900 Half-Face Respirator Mask and P3 Filter Kit worth £47 inc VAT given upon completion.
Des English, Country Manager at Arco, said:
"The opening of our new Belfast Safety Store is an important milestone for Arco as it will provide our customers with a one-stop-shop for all their safety needs. As experts in safety, we understand that each business faces its own unique and complex challenges and to manage workplace health and safety, we need to provide joined-up safety solutions to help our customers in all aspects of their business.
"The new Belfast Safety Store will offer customers the best possible selection of products and services with our own in-store experts available to offer advice and training, ensuring an effortless customer experience. In addition to providing both products and services in one place, we are confident that local tradesmen will enjoy the new location within the busy industrial estate."
Arco, has announced the renewal of its long-standing relationship with FedEx, the world's largest express transportation company.
The exclusive multi-million-pound deal will ensure Arco's commitment to deliver excellent customer service and remain at the forefront of logistics and supply chain excellence.
Hull-based Arco provides a joined-up safety approach through equipment, expert knowledge, training and consultancy services. As the only safety partner to deliver a strategic end-to-end approach across the hierarchy of control, its collaboration with FedEx will continue to enhance the efficiency of its operation.
Working across Arco's operating bases including the National Distribution Centre in Hull, the Arco Clothing Centre in Preston and all other retail operations, FedEx currently processes over 7,500 parcels per day, for next day delivery. This collaboration has been a vital part of Arco's supply chain, ensuring seamless logistics and timely deliveries to customers across the UK.
The long-term close strategic relationship between Arco and FedEx first began in 2009 and has since been extended to December 2026. Throughout this relationship, FedEx has consistently demonstrated its ability to provide high-quality services, making them an ideal supplier for Arco's ongoing growth and development.
Neil Griffiths, Divisional Director, Logistics and Supply Chain at Arco said:
"Since we signed the original contract in 2009, FedEx has proven to be the perfect supplier for Arco. With demonstrated excellence in reliability and customer service, we are delighted to extend this exclusive agreement through to the end of 2026. Both companies share the same values in terms of innovation and quality, and together we can build a positive future for our business and the customers we serve."
"We are delighted to continue our long-standing relationship with Arco. We've been working closely with them to improve and optimise their supply chain to deliver outstanding customer experience whilst delighting Arco's customers." said Rob Peto, Vice President Ground Operations, FedEx Express.
Arco, has launched a new responsible hi-visibility clothing range. The eight initial launch items include short-sleeve t-shirts, short sleeve and long sleeve polo shirts, waistcoats, sweatshirts, fleeces, softshells and overcoats. Trousers will be added to the range in 2024.
As a key supplier of hi-visibility clothing, Arco is committed to addressing the problem of what to do with garments that have reached the end of their useful life. As a result, the garments in the responsible hi-vis range have been designed to last longer, are made from certified recycled and materials and developed with end of life in mind, focussing on the recyclability of materials.
Designed with life-extending features, the responsible hi-vis range has been developed to increase the longevity of the clothing. Garments are tested to retain integrity, dimensional stability, UV protection and colourfastness to above the average number of washes – knitwear and trousers are certified for up to 50 washes - twice the typical use cycle - which reduces the need for replacement and reduces carbon emissions.
All garments are made using 100% Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certified recycled polyester and have been sourced and produced ethically by GRS-certified manufacturers*. To improve efficiency and reduce additional component usage, labelling has been printed directly onto the garment. All additional components, including poppers, toggles, zips, ribs, cuffs, neckbands and collars, are made from recycled polyester so do not need to be removed before entering the recycling process.
The hi-vis range has been developed in conjunction with Stuff4Life and can be recycled using their patent-pending chemical recycling solution that's currently being developed. Once a garment comes to the end of its life, the recovered materials from the recycling process become valuable raw materials that can be transformed back into new polyester yarn to be made into new products.
Dalvir Sarkaria, Product and Procurement Manager, said:
"Customers are placing growing significance on making responsible product choices. As a result, we recognised a clear requirement to develop and introduce a new range of products with the aim of supporting customers to achieve their sustainability objectives.
"The launch of our Arco Responsible hi-vis range is an exciting moment for us and demonstrates our continued commitment to delivering on our strategic plan for sustainability - A Safe Tomorrow - and by supporting our customers' desires to make responsible choices for their business. Using a circular approach, the range can offer assurance to customers with proven sustainable credentials whilst remaining excellent quality and competitively priced."
The Arco Responsible hi-vis clothing line includes garments that have been designed for all weathers and temperatures and conform to the relevant hi-vis safety standards. The range includes interactive outdoor clothing and garments with UV protection, wicking properties and other practical features.
Arco Responsible hi-vis clothing is available to purchase online here.
Arco Reach £250,000 Fundraising Milestone for Macmillan
Arco, is celebrating after having raised a quarter of a million pounds for Macmillan Cancer Support.
The company, based in Hull,¹ with centres across the country ², has baked, hosted quizzes, ran and hiked, among many other things, to support people living with cancer and to reach this incredible fundraising total.
The fifth-generation family-owned business holds fundraising for Macmillan close to their hearts; having lost family member and Joint Managing Director Jo Martin to breast cancer in 2008. Jo founded the company's Charity Committee in 2003 and championed the Macmillan Coffee Morning as a fundraising cause for all Arco colleagues to join in and be part of, across all the company's locations in the UK – something that continues to this day. Following Jo's death, fundraising continued via a charitable trust in Jo's name, which supported local cancer causes, including Macmillan's presence at Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham.
Stephen Martin, Non Executive Director at Arco, said:
"Reaching the £250,000 goal is a significant and deeply personal milestone in our mission of supporting Macmillan that stands as a tribute to Jo's memory and her unwavering compassion for others. Our collective efforts have fuelled research and support for those fighting this unrelenting disease and it brings me a profound sense of pride and gratitude to those at Arco that have helped us achieve this milestone."
Guy Bruce, CEO at Arco, said:
"Supporting communities and charities is at the heart of our business and it is clear from the incredible amount we have raised for Macmillan that this commitment runs throughout the company.
"We all genuinely want to make a difference for people with cancer, sadly few of us are untouched by this disease.
"I feel incredibly proud of our colleagues who give so generously and are continually motivated to make the world a slightly better place."
Arco offices across the country pushed their fundraising effort before Christmas to reach their target of £250,000. The phenomenal fundraising amount was boosted by over £15,000 being raised last year alone, this included Arco's Great Annual Raffle, with prizes including a week's annual leave, Christmas hampers and shopping vouchers.
"I have been blown away by the generosity of spirit I've witnessed at Arco, everyone goes above and beyond to give up their time and money for people living with cancer.
"Arco has raised enough money to fund a Macmillan nurse for over four years or provide over 700 Macmillan grants to help people living with cancer with heating bills - this amount has had a huge impact on the support we're able to provide for people.
"On behalf of Macmillan I want to thank every Arco employee who supported the fundraising; if you bought a raffle ticket, baked a cake or hiked up a mountain you helped make life a bit better for people with cancer."
Anyone diagnosed with cancer can contact the Macmillan Support Line seven days a week on 0808 808 00 00 or visit the Macmillan website Macmillan website
¹ Blackfriargate office (HQ), National Distribution Centre, and Hose divisions are all based in Hull
² Arco Clothing Centre (ACC) in Preston (Lancashire); Arco Safety Centres in Eccleshall (Cheshire), Trafford (Manchester), Linlithgow (Scotland) and Bracknell (Berkshire); nationwide Arco Safety Stores and remote sales teams spread throughout the UK.
Top 10 Family Business Apprentice Employers for 2023
Arco, has been named as one of the top 10 family businesses in the UK for employing apprentices for a second year running. Arco's contribution to employing apprentices and its investment in the next generation saw the company listed by Family Business United - the global voice of the family business community.
The Hull-based company features in the 2023 report that examines the number of apprentices in the sector, the creation of new apprenticeships and the number of apprentices completing and graduating from apprenticeship programmes alongside the likes of Bagnalls and Hodgkinson Builders, with JCB also included.
Over the past six years, Arco has built upon its Future Experts programme as part of an ongoing commitment to developing the next generation of industry talent.
Darren Ford, head of organisational development and learning and development at Arco, said:
"We are incredibly proud to be recognised for a second year in the Family Business United list of top family business apprentice employers. Helping to nurture future talent and further develop the knowledge and skills of our colleagues plays an important role in the aspirations of the business and will support our ambitions for growth.
"We're seeing a greater uptake from a broader range of business areas now and this year we have committed to creating eight dedicated apprenticeship opportunities across the organisation, with a plan in place to increase this to 16 next year. I'm very excited to see both our internal and external apprentice numbers grow over these coming months."
Arco's Future Experts programme has seen over 42 apprentices graduate and currently has 23 apprenticeships ongoing. Apprentices have the opportunity to work in a variety of areas across Arco, including finance, digital, customer services and safety, health and environment.
Paul Andrews, Founder and Chief Executive of Family Business United, said:
"Family businesses are innovative and entrepreneurial and it is great to see so many providing apprenticeships within their organisations."
"This is our second report and it clearly highlights the growing importance of apprenticeships to family firms across the UK and the continuing commitment from leading family businesses to continue to invest in the ongoing development of the next generation of their staff. There are significant numbers of apprenticeships opportunities available within the family business sector in the UK today and as outlined below, they provide a fantastic stepping stone into a career with long term development opportunities that may even take you to a board position in the future."
We're set to begin our latest website improvement plan designed to help more customers transact online.
The plan, which begins in September will initially focus on helping customers find the exact safety products they need. We stock over 80,000 lines on our website and are determined customers have easy access to the correct products to keep them safe.
Initial improvements to our product listing page will include clearer pricing and delivery dates, an updated design for customers across all devices and clear product lifecycle information to make buying decisions easier.
Customers that we've spoken to will welcome this update as it builds more certainty into their supply chain and helps them plan and buy the products that they need.
We've also added an alternative product link which means where a product is not available, customers can select a suitable alternative.
Head of Ecommerce, Gareth Wray, said:
"We know from customers that selecting products based on delivery time, availability and continuity of supply is critical to their supply chain and that's why we're introducing these changes at the start of our plan.
"Along with the new features, customers will see more time-saving changes such as an improved look and feel to Arco's listings page, more detailed search results allowing faster filtering and the ability to add products directly to their basket."
Customer summary:
Get clearer pricing by logging into to see your contracted price rather than list price
Better plan your order with accurate availability dates, even if your purchase is in multiple consignments
Be sure of ongoing supply with product lifecycle information showing which products are new, have limited availability or are discontinued
View alternative products if your selected item is unavailable
Check out faster by adding multiple products and quantities directly to your basket from the listing page
You can shop our full range of products 24/7 online, if you've not already registered to use our website simply register for an online account here.
