News and Updates

Arco will showcase responsible ranges and joined-up safety solutions at the NEC in Birmingham.

Arco, the UK and Ireland's leading safety company, will be exhibiting at this year's Health & Safety Event, scheduled to take place from the 30th April to 2nd May at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.

The event takes place during a momentous year for both Arco and the health and safety industry, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) and Arco's 140th anniversary.

Arco's interactive exhibition can be found in Hall 4, Stand 4/G100 and has been designed to take visitors on a journey through the hierarchy of control, emphasising the importance of a joined-up approach to safety management. With a focus on consultancy, training, expert advice, compliance and sustainability, Arco aims to demonstrate its unparalleled safety expertise.

Visitors to the Arco stand can expect immersive experiences, including virtual reality demonstrations where they will be placed in realistic environments, highlighting hazards within working at height and confined spaces. The stand will also showcase Arco's award-winning Responsible hi-vis and Responsible workwear product ranges, as well as its product-assurance process and independent UKAS-accredited laboratory.

Ahead of the event, Arco has been shortlisted in four categories for the 2024 Safety and Health Excellence Awards. Arco is nominated for: BSIF Product Innovation Award Safety Product Category (Non-PPE), Campaign of the Year, Distributor of the Year and Marketing Campaign of the Year, as well as sponsoring and judging this year's inaugural Sustainable Company of the Year award. The winners will be announced during the award ceremony that will take place on the second night of the three-day Health & Safety Event.

Gareth Wray, Marketing Director at Arco, commented:

"We are thoroughly excited to be attending The Health & Safety Event during such a special year for Arco and the industry. We have gone above and beyond to create a truly engaging experience for visitors, showcasing our expertise not only in sourcing and delivering quality and compliant products, but in driving forward sustainable practices and offering joined-up safety solutions.

"We look forward to interacting with the many attendees and sharing our expertise to drive positive change in safety practices."

View Arco's joined-up approach to safety management and our responsible approach to sustainability

Arco, has further demonstrated its responsible approach to sustainability by installing more than 2,300 solar panels on the rooftop of its National Distribution Centre in Hull.

The National Distribution Centre (NDC) is the first of several Arco sites across the UK that will benefit from rooftop solar energy, as the company moves away from a dependency on fossil fuels.

Similar installations are planned for Arco Safety Centres at Bracknell in Berkshire, Eccleshall in Staffordshire, and Linlithgow in West Lothian, as well as the Arco Clothing Centre in Preston, Lancashire.

Guy Bruce, Arco's chief executive, said:

"At Arco, we're looking at every aspect of our business to see how we can reduce our impact on the planet.

As part of our responsible approach to sustainability, we are constantly finding ways to improve the energy and carbon efficiency of our operations, including the use of renewable energy sources, intelligent LED lighting systems and low-emission vehicles.

"Renewable energy is an important part of our goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2045, and just one way in which we are taking action to secure a safer tomorrow for businesses, people and the planet."

The 425,000 sq ft NDC is Arco's main storage and distribution centre, holding up to 40,000 pallets and servicing up to 10,000 orders a day, maintaining the company's excellent service to customers.

The 2,352 solar panels have been installed by renewable energy specialist Heatsource Direct over the past few weeks, and from next month (May) they will provide about 50 per cent of the NDC's power demand.

The panels will generate around 780,922 kWh of energy a year, roughly the same as the annual power consumption of 289 houses.

This will mean an annual CO₂ reduction of around 182,276kg, equivalent to planting 7,291 trees each year.

Tom Thurling, managing director of Heatsource Direct, said:

"It's fantastic to see a nationally recognised company putting renewable energy at the forefront of their agenda.

"By moving away from traditional sources of energy, Arco will save money on their electricity bills, while also significantly reducing their carbon footprint, something that's becoming ever more important for large companies."

Read more about how Arco is taking action for a safer tomorrow.

Arco is delighted to announce the continuation of its long-standing relationship with Leeds City Council.

The council has once again chosen Arco as its trusted supplier for personal protective equipment (PPE), clothing, gloves, and footwear.

The contract is worth around £650,000 a year, with an additional £200,000 for non-core spend, and is set for a three-year term, with the potential for a 12-month extension.

Steve Summerscales, regional sales manager for Arco's central region, said:

"Leeds City Council is one of the biggest local authorities in the country, and we look forward to helping ensure the safety and well-being of its workforce for many more years.

"This retention demonstrates Arco's commitment to delivering value and the excellent reputation we have with our clients and partners."

Arco's relationship with Leeds City Council stretches back more than 25 years.

In awarding the contract, the council praised the ease and control of placing orders through Arco's website and the convenience of paying via P-Card.

Other news

• UK-Med, a frontline humanitarian medical NGO that provides healthcare when crises or disasters hit across the world, has placed a branded uniform order for the British Response Team in Libya and Morocco. Arco will supply polo shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts; medical supplies, first aid kits, defibrillators, stretchers and gloves.
• Arco has also recently signed a contract to supply PPE and clothing to Derbyshire County Council for a further 12 months.