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News and Updates

All the latest news and updates from the UK's leading supplier of safety clothing and equipment

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Arco Celebrates Continued Partnership with Leeds City Council

15 April 2024

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.

Arco Supports SHP's Protection for Everyone Campaign

10 April 2024

Arco has added its weight to the calls for inclusivity in workplace PPE.

The UK's leading safety provider has declared its support for SHP's Protection for Everyone campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the issues around ill-fitting PPE.

The SHP campaign is part of a wider drive for equality in PPE provision, with a particular focus on ensuring suitable PPE is available for women.

John Magee, Arco's chief operating officer, said:

"At Arco, our core purpose is to help keep people safe at work, and by this we mean all people. Ill-fitting PPE is not only uncomfortable, it can also be unsafe.

"Our product range currently includes female-fit options in all major product groups, including workwear, casualwear, outerwear, hi-vis and flame-retardant clothing, either under the Arco brand or from our proprietary partners.

"But inclusivity doesn't just mean clothing for women, and we also provide religious, maternity and menopause clothing, with more products coming to market every year.

"As we continue to develop our inclusive PPE offer, we are also working to make these options more visible and accessible to customers."

As part of its public affairs strategy, helping to shape the UK's health and safety agenda, Arco also recently gave its support to MP Emma Hardy in bringing the issue to Parliament.

Tabling the Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Protected Characteristics) Bill, the MP for Hull West & Hessle referenced SHP's campaign, and Arco's support.

Emma Hardy said:

"Arco, based in my constituency of Hull West and Hessle, a leading UK provider of health and safety products and PPE, recognises the need for change and is fully supportive of the campaign to improve inclusivity in PPE."

See Arco's range of women's clothing and PPE


  • Arco Professional Safety Services Launches New and Improved Website

    09 April 2024

    Arco Professional Safety Services has launched its new website, making it easier for customers to access essential safety services, information and equipment.

    As well as a more modern look and feel, the site offers better user navigation and a smoother experience on mobile devices.

    Key improvements of the new website include:

    Expert Advice

    Easier access to consultancy advice, training, support services and equipment across Arco Professional Safety Services' areas of expertise, including working at height, confined spaces and respiratory protection.

    Training

    Improved search and enhanced filtering options to help customers find the right courses, as well as a more efficient booking system.

    Equipment Shop

    A better shopping experience with improved product search and filtering, making it easier to find and purchase safety equipment.

    Equipment Hire

    More information on the equipment available to hire and the option to hire directly from the website, a feature that was not available on the previous site.

    Jamie Sadler, Commercial Director at Arco Professional Safety Services, said:

    "This new website provides a seamless and intuitive platform for our customers to access our essential safety services and resources with ease.

    "The team has been hard at work on the site behind the scenes, and we're thrilled that customers can now enjoy the many improvements it offers."

    Existing customers will be asked to reset their passwords when signing in to the new site for the first time. All other existing sign-in details will remain the same.

    Arco Professional Safety Services provide consultancy, training, services and equipment to manage complex and high-risk, high hazard scenarios.

    Visit the new website: Arco Professional Safety Services

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  • Arco to Celebrate 140th Anniversary with Return to Health and Safety Event

    25 March 2024

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

    Arco, the UK'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.

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  • Arco backs MP Emma Hardy's call for PPE inclusivity

    19 March 2024

    Arco has given its support to MP Emma Hardy as she urged Government ministers to ensure inclusivity in workplace PPE.

    In the House of Commons last week, the MP for Hull West & Hessle tabled the Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Protected Characteristics) Bill, which would put the onus on employers to ensure PPE provided to people with certain protected characteristics is suitable for their needs.

    As part of Arco's public affairs work, which aims to influence the national health and safety agenda, we supported Ms Hardy in bringing the issue to Parliament.

    Arco fully supports the drive for more inclusivity in PPE. Our core purpose is to help keep people safe at work, and this means all people. Ill-fitting PPE is not just uncomfortable, it can also be unsafe.

    Addressing the House of Commons, Ms Hardy said: "momentum for change is building" and referred to Arco's support for the campaign.

    Emma Hardy said:

    "Arco, based in my constituency of Hull West & Hessle, a leading UK provider of health and safety products and PPE, recognises the need for change and is fully supportive of the campaign to improve inclusivity in PPE."

    Mims Davies, the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, said the Government "entirely supports the assertion that personal protective equipment issued to workers should be inclusive and meet individual needs".

    Read the full transcript of the debate at Inclusive PPE - UK Parliament and learn more about the Chartered Institute of Building's PPE that Fits campaign.

    Shop our range of Women's PPE

    Learn more about our commitment to help shape the UK's safety agenda

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