News and Updates

Arco is introducing its new responsible workwear range, a new line of garments that are made to last, ethically sourced and produced with a fully traceable supply chain.

Nearly 90 per cent of the 33 million workwear items supplied annually end up in landfill or are incinerated once they have finished their useful life. Arco is committed to providing more responsible solutions for safer businesses.

The responsible workwear range is designed to make it easier for customers to make informed purchase decisions, which in turn supports them to meet their sustainability and circularity objectives.

Working with responsible clothing manufacturer, Lyfcycle, each garment contains a unique QR code that allows users to trace its journey through the supply chain with the use of an app.

Made with durable fabric and reinforced features, the responsible workwear range has been developed for an extended lifespan to increase the longevity of workwear that is used in tough working conditions. It also has extended washability meaning it can withstand more washes, retaining colour stability and not shrinking.

Designing garments to be longer-lasting and more durable are not just signs of well-made clothing, they are also important sustainability credentials. By using something for longer, customers can reduce their product footprint - resulting in lower overall carbon emissions and water use.

All garments are made from Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certified recycled polyester, Better Cotton TM and packaging is made using GRS-certified 100% recycled plastic. The garment supply chain is also assessed and verified for fair and ethical practices by third party social audits including the Workplace Conditions Assessment (WCA) and Accord standards while production processes are assessed on being environmentally responsible by BSCI and GRS.

The new range offers customers the opportunity for a complete uniform proposition for workers, including men's and women's fit garments in up to six different colours, with sizes ranging from XS to 5XL. The initial launch range includes t-shits, polos, sweatshirts and cargo trousers.

Andrew Tapp, Product and Procurement Manager at Arco, said:

"Responsible choices in products are increasingly important to customers - we're seeing an increase in enquiries, not only about what Arco is doing as a business, but also in the products we supply.

"We therefore identified a clear need to develop and launch a new range of more responsible garments that could support customers with their sustainability goals, but which was not possible through the current workwear market.

"Using a unique design and approach, the range offers peace of mind to customers with proven credentials whilst remaining excellent quality and competitively priced."

Jim Harbidge, Head of Sustainability at Arco, said:

"The launch of our responsible workwear range is an exciting moment for Arco and is a practical example of how, as a business, we are taking action for a safer tomorrow.

"At Arco, we believe our job is never done when it comes to sustainability and that is why we are committed to providing responsible solutions for safer businesses. This new range is one of the many steps we're taking to make more responsible choices and to help our customers do the same."

Arco's responsible workwear line is available to purchase online here

Arco has invested £200,000 in three new mobile confined space units to expand its national fleet and enable more bespoke training for customers working in hazardous environments across the country.

The new units will take Arco's confined space solutions to small, medium and larger customers across the UK. The units allow scenarios that simulate a range of activities that workers may face in a confined space, such as repair and maintenance work in a tunnel. They have also been effectively used to support the training of rescue team members in how to recover casualties.

Arco instructors can replicate real-world scenarios that are relevant to key industries, enabling workers to face potential risks in a controlled environment. Other hazards, such as smoke, can also be released into the tunnel systems as an additional training factor, making them suitable to train workers in a variety of situations.

The trailer units are built around a seven-metre, triple-axle chassis and contain multiple tunnels, which have a combined length of over 30 metres. Internal cameras enable instructors to monitor the safety of delegates, in real time, and review exercises using playback after training sessions are complete.

Access to a comprehensive range of equipment, such as gas monitors, harnesses, breathing apparatus and working at height equipment is available to ensure bespoke environments, tailored to the requirements of each customer, can be supported.

The trailers enable customers to access the same equipment available at Arco's safety training centres, including a range of entry equipment, such as tripods and Davit systems.

Utilising the multi and intermediate levels within the trailers, delegates can practically apply the skills they have been taught during the training in a safe and controlled environment.

The investment marks the latest step in Arco's commitment to delivering 'Joined-up Safety Solutions' and follows the recent opening of its £2million Bracknell Safety Centre, which provides health and safety services across the South of England, combining risk assessment, training and equipment provision all under one roof.

The new centre is home to state-of-the art confined space facilities, with a purpose-built labyrinth that features more than 30m of traverse capability and up to five metres of vertical access into multiple chambers to simulate relevant confined space hazards.

Since opening in November 2022, the centre has received strong positive feedback from customers and industry bodies. In addition to its confined space training offer, the Bracknell Safety Centre will offer working at height training outdoors from its recently installed 20m external tower.

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

"As experts in safety and a leading provider of confined space training across the country, Arco is committed to delivering an effortless experience for our customers.

"As the UK's leading integrated safety products and services business, our investment in our new mobile confined space training units and in the facilities at our new state-of-the-art Bracknell Safety Centre allows us to deliver bespoke training and a joined-up approach to safety that meets even the most complex of challenges."

Brian Grunes, Confined Space Subject Matter Expert and Training Manager at Arco Professional Safety Services, said:

"Our new fleet of confined space training units allow us to bring our world-class training offer to our customers sites without losing any of the features that would be available at our safety centres."

To find out more about Arco's confined space training offer, click here or to discuss booking one of the mobile confined space units, email training@arcoservices.co.uk

To find out more about the joined-up safety offer at Arco's new Bracknell Safety Centre, click here

Arco Professional Safety Services has been commended for the respiratory management programme it implemented with BAE Systems, in Glasgow, at this year's British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) Safety Awards.

The expert safety partner was shortlisted for the BSIF Safety Solution Award and, while the entry was not selected as the overall winner in the strongly contested category, judges were full of praise for Arco's submission at a ceremony held at The VOX at the NEC, in Birmingham.

Arco and Arco Professional Safety Services have a well-established and trusted relationship with BAE Systems and have contracts in place for the provision of safety products and learning and development services, as well as providing respiratory protective equipment (RPE) services to BAE facilities for several years; including face-fit testing and RPE maintenance.

Arco's submission focussed on its work with BAE Govan and Scotstoun, where it introduced a streamlined process to enhance the defence company's respiratory management regime through the careful selection of products, RPE training, face-fit testing, inspection and maintenance, record keeping and suitable and sufficient equipment storage.

Arco's solution ensures all RPE is inspected in line with legal requirements, that the condition of the RPE is suitable to provide adequate protection for the specific hazards and minimises the risk of respiratory illness in BAE's workforce.

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

"As experts in respiratory protection, with extensive knowledge of the regulations, we provided BAE Govan and Scotstoun with guidance surrounding their legal requirements for RPE inspection and maintenance and supported them in implementing a compliant respiratory inspection and servicing procedure.

"We are proud that the solution we partnered with BAE Systems to deliver has not only improved their respiratory processes and industry compliance but has also been recognised by the BSIF and the wider safety industry.

"We are proud to have been commended for our work, which is testament to the hard work and dedication of our safety experts in fulfilling our core purpose of keeping people safe at work."

To find out more about the range of respiratory services provided by Arco Professional Safety Services, click here.

Colleagues from Arco's clothing centre, in Preston, have raised more than £2,500 so far this year for the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity Children's Appeal.

The centre has supported the hospital charity team since 2020, with colleagues regularly organising fundraising events and initiatives, including dress down days, raffles, sales, fun competitions and sponsored events.

In March, three colleagues raised more than £500 by abseiling 128 feet from Peel Tower, near Bury, and, more recently, £640 was raised for the appeal from the sale of Easter toys, door wreaths, cards, cakes and other treats, which colleagues had made and donated to be sold at an Easter market.

More is to come when, later this month, colleagues will either take to the roads on their bikes or walk a 25-mile route around Preston for the sponsored 'Guild Wheel' challenge.

Pam Walmsley, Operations Manager (Production), said:

"We are so proud to have raised funds for such a worthy cause.

"As a long-time supporter of the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity, we look forward to raising even more money - with events taking place each month throughout the year."

The Children's Appeal is aiming to raise £1million for a wish list of items to bring about a raft of improvements to children's in and outpatients at the Royal Preston Hospital, Chorley and South Ribble Hospital and Leyland's Broadoaks Child Development Centre, as well as all other children's facilities managed by Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Lucy Clark, Children's Appeal Fundraiser at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity, said:

"We are extremely grateful to everyone at the Arco Clothing Centre for their wonderful support. We know staff vote on which local charity to fundraise for, so it means a lot to us in the charity team and to everyone who works for the trust that they have chosen to back our work."

To find out more about Arco's commitment to delivering social value in the communities we operate in, click here.

Two of Arco's healthcare colleagues have provided their advice and support to a group of jobseekers in central Scotland. Dougie Logan, Key Account Manager, and Keith Moir, Healthcare Specialist, recently spent time supporting the Clackmannanshire Economic Regeneration Trust, a charity which helps improve the economic inclusion, development and regeneration of Clackmannanshire in central Scotland.

Linked to Arco's relationship with NHS Scotland, Dougie and Keith were keen to support the charity and their pre-employability project. The project aims to engage and develop local people and to equip them with the skills they need to confidently apply for jobs and find employment.

As part of their volunteering, the pair hosted a session with seven local people who are searching for work but are struggling in the current market.

Dougie and Keith spoke to the group, sharing their advice on best practice when it comes to job hunting and interview preparation techniques and spoke about their own experiences to help boost the attendee's confidence.

Mark O'Hare, Operations Manager at Clackmannanshire Economic Regeneration Trust, said:

"Dougie and Keith's generous donation of time and expertise was truly invaluable to all those in attendance. We greatly appreciated their willingness to share their knowledge and experience with us, and I want to extend my deepest thanks for their contributions.

"The feedback we have received from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, with many noting the value and engagement of the session."

Keith said:

"Personally, I think it's great being able to use the CSR days that Arco gives colleagues to make a positive impact on someone's life.

"The session was a great experience and it was really rewarding to see how inspired the delegates were by hearing our stories - one attendee in particular asked for help with her CV at the end of the session, having never engaged fully with the charity before."