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News and Updates
All the latest news and updates from the UK's leading supplier of safety clothing and equipment
Arco Achieves Highest Rating in NHS Labour Standards Assurance System (LSAS) Audit
02 June 2025
Arco, the UK and Ireland's leading safety experts, has successfully completed the NHS LSAS audit, achieving the highest-possible rating of Level 4.
Created to uphold fair and ethical labour standards, the LSAS audit is crucial in promoting social responsibility across NHS suppliers. As such, the Level 4 award reflects Arco's commitment to ethical sourcing and responsible supply chain management.
Outstanding auditor feedback
Reporting on Arco's performance, the auditor's feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Across all 15 assessment areas, Arco was commended for its meticulous approach: "Arco in general is significantly advanced in ethical sourcing practices and has very high standards around LSAS and supply chain management.
"Supplier audits are organised and conducted, and well documented, and this is reflected in the highest score that has been achieved during the audit."
Upholding high supply chain standards
Arco's Technical Quality Director, Christian Halford, was delighted with the recognition: "The Level 4 award underscores the diligence of our teams and our commitment to ensuring high standards throughout our supply chain.
"It also gives our customers confidence and peace of mind, seeing Arco's value-driven approach to doing business. Overall, the results from the LSAS audit reinforce Arco's position as a leader in ethical supply chain management, setting a benchmark for others to follow."
Arco retains EcoVadis "Gold", highlighting world-class sustainability performance
16 May 2025
As the UK and Ireland's leading safety experts, we're delighted to have been awarded "Gold" status for sustainability by EcoVadis, positioning us as the highest UK performer in our industry.
Having been evaluated in four key areas, Arco was deemed to be in the 98th percentile of companies assessed. This is only one point away from a "Platinum" rating and an excellent 14% increase on Arco's previous EcoVadis rating.
Arco among world's top 5% in sustainability
EcoVadis is one of the world's most trusted providers of business sustainability ratings. They assessed Arco's activities across:
- Environment
- Labour & Human Rights
- Ethics
- Sustainable Procurement
Out of the 150,000 businesses assessed by EcoVadis, a result of 'Gold' puts Arco among the top 5% of performers globally. This outcome was helped by Arco's continued progress in sustainable performance, for example, reducing its carbon emissions by more than 20% over the past year.
Industry leaders for sustainability
EcoVadis commended Arco's positive action in several areas, commenting that its "...overall score has increased thanks to the publication of additional sustainability reporting" and that it had an "...advanced sustainability management system that covers all four themes under review".
In addition to company-wide efforts, individual staff contributions played a big part for EcoVadis. Whether this was as simple as cycling to work or the commitment and study needed to become one of Arco's team of accredited Mental Health First Aiders.
Arco's Head of Sustainability, Jim Harbidge, said:
"We're delighted to have been recognised for the excellent progress we continue to make. Sustainability is fundamental to our business, and it'll remain at the heart of our activities.
"We're also authentic in what we do - it's not just a box-ticking exercise. Arco genuinely cares about this topic and that translates into our products and how we treat our people, suppliers and customers. But with a review system that gets tougher each year, we'll work harder than ever to stay industry leaders in this field."
We are committed to sourcing better materials and supporting more sustainable production processes, to this end we work with specialist partners who offer help, guidance and expertise across the different technical and social fields.
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Arco Opens New Safety Training Centre in Hull
14 May 2025
Read moreArco, the UK and Ireland's leading safety expert has opened its latest safety training centre in Hull, to serve businesses in the Yorkshire region and beyond. The new Hull based site is the latest investment in Arco's Professional Safety Services training facility, tailored to workers across a range of sectors including the highest risk industries.
This new practical training facility follows Arco's ongoing investment in its National Distribution Centre (NDC) site to develop its learning academy and brand new Customer Discovery Centre that brings together product expertise, training and industry collaboration under one roof.
Specialising in confined space and working at height "hands-on" training, the facility includes a confined space labyrinth and working at height with, safe access to the rooftop of our National Distribution Centre, alongside a multitude of classroom-based courses, increasing accessibility to critical safety education.
As part of the Arco Professional Safety Services offering, Arco also provide mobile confined space units for bespoke training in any location. Following Arco's £200,000 investment in 2023, these state of the art units can simulate risks in different environments for businesses across Yorkshire.
The new site also offers courses with a blended learning approach including:
- Classroom training in Arco's learning academy
- E-learning and video Conference
- Practical Training
- Virtual Reality Modules
Jamie Sadler, Commercial Director at Arco Professional Safety Services, said:
"We have invested significantly in our NDC site this year to make safety more accessible for our customers. This new centre of excellence demonstrates Arco's approach to the future of health and safety; putting innovation, convenience and high-standards at the forefront.
"Working at height and confined spaces remain the most dangerous environments and therefore they require expert training and support. Access to bespoke training that provides people with the correct skills and capabilities to carry out their work safely is essential. Whether it is equipment, training or support, our experienced teams offer a complete solution."
To view the full list of training courses available in Hull, please visit: https://www.arcoservices.co.uk/training
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The evolution is nearly here
04 April 2025
Read moreA change is happening - an evolution in performance workwear that's set to tear up the rulebook. And it starts with you...
Your environment. Your experience. Your needs. It's all part of your workplace DNA.
But are you ready to enhance it, every day? To go beyond comfort and style? To unleash your potential and perform better than ever?
We think you're ready for the evolution, view now.
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Arco unveils new state of the art centre investing in the future of safety innovation
02 April 2025
Read moreArco, the UK and Ireland's leading safety expert, opens its doors on a cutting-edge Customer Discovery Centre, marking a bold investment designed to transform customer experience and drive industry innovation.
This state-of-the-art facility brings together product expertise, advanced safety training, and industry collaboration under one roof. Designed to engage with customers and suppliers, the Discovery Centre showcases Arco's integrated safety solutions featuring its independent UKAS accredited Product Assurance Lab with a dedicated space for product innovation.
As part of this investment, Arco has also expanded its training offering with a brand-new practical training facility, broadening its national coverage of training centres for workers in the highest risk industries. Specialising in confined space and working at height "hands-on" training alongside a multitude of classroom-based courses, this Safety Services centre of excellence increases accessibility to critical safety education.
With three flexible learning spaces, innovative displays, and cutting-edge technology, the Discovery Centre is designed to adapt to the needs of customers and colleagues alike, making it a premier destination for training, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing.
Now operational, customers can explore the latest advancements in safety, PPE and workwear, undertake training courses and receive expert guidance on product selection and development under one roof.
CEO of Arco, Guy Bruce said:
"We're thrilled to open our new state of the art Customer Discovery Centre. It's our way of giving customers fresh inspiration and ultimate safety confidence day in day out.
"By investing in world-class facilities and smarter ways to engage with our customers, this is more than an upgrade to our services, it's a strategic shift in how our customers interact with Arco and how our safety solutions are developed, shared, and experienced. The future of safety is here, and this immersive space truly demonstrates the value available to all customers when they have the best in the safety business at their side. We're looking forward to hosting our customers and partners here for years to come."
Learn more about our Arco Discovery Centre