Trusted for comfort and performance: How Ballyclare’s approach reshapes frontline PPE
Iain Hoey
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Philip Tasker, Global Sales Lead (Fire and Security), explains how Ballyclare combines deep expertise with customer collaboration to create PPE that is comfortable, durable and dependable
When it comes to creating PPE, our core philosophy at Ballyclare is simple.
We work as closely as possible with our customers to create protective gear that’s practical, comfortable, affordable and safe.
Ballyclare has been at the forefront of firefighter PPE design for many years, providing high-quality kit for fire and rescue services (FRSs) both in the UK and across Europe.
As a family-owned SME based in Cheshire, we have cultivated a core UK customer base securing and delivering on major contracts with the North West Region, All Wales and All Yorkshire FRSs.
Over the last decade, we’ve also secured significant contracts across Europe, establishing ourselves as a leading supplier to fire services across Poland, Benelux and Germany.
As an SME, we have the flexibility to adapt quickly to our customers’ needs without unnecessary bureaucracy.
We’re also fortunate to have our own in-house manufacturing facility so we can prioritise orders and minimise lead times.
Expertise that drives performance
Our knowledgeable and highly skilled team of industry experts are at the heart of our success.
A series of recent senior appointments has further strengthened our team, creating an unrivalled depth of experience across the UK and European markets.
Together, we bring deep technical expertise in firefighter PPE requirements, a practical understanding of the day-to-day realities on the front line, and vital proficiency in logistics and aftercare.
One particular characteristic that has been key to Ballyclare’s success in each and every contract win is the importance we place on collaborating and working in partnership with fire services.
We ask the right questions, listen to firefighters’ needs and preferences, and adapt and refine our PPE to provide solutions that make a real difference on the frontline.
This commitment to excellent customer service has helped us forge long-term partnerships with our customers, who trust our advice and know we can deliver.
Balancing safety and comfort
Designing firefighter PPE is complex and highly specialised.
The challenge lies in striking the right balance: creating garments that protect wearers from external heat, flames, and contaminants, while also helping them stay cool and comfortable.
Our design team are proud to work closely with several quality fibre and fabric manufacturers.
This flexibility allows customers to choose from a wide-range of fabric combinations to suit all needs and budgets.
Whilst some FRSs prefer to invest in the premium options, others find that different solutions are equally effective or better suited to their needs.
Ultimately, safety and protection are never compromised.
Every garment undergoes rigorous testing and certification to meet or exceed the relevant industry standards.
Collaborating with customers and trialling kit is key to creating highly protective garments that fit the bill, whether that’s selecting a moisture barrier or determining the placement and size of pockets and loops to suit a crew’s existing equipment.
As a result, our product ranges are constantly evolving in response to feedback from firefighters.
Sometimes the smallest of details can make all the difference for comfort and convenience.”
Case study: All Wales Fire & Rescue Services
In 2019 following a competitive tender, the All Wales Fire and Rescue Services (FRS) procurement group, representing South Wales FRS, Mid and West Wales FRS and North Wales FRS, appointed Ballyclare to provide its Xenon structural PPE for the nation’s 3,000 firefighters.
Tony Jackson, Group Manager on the Operational Appliances & Equipment Team at South Wales FRS, reflects on the rigorous selection process and the successful delivery of this contract, from sizing and roll-out to ongoing care and maintenance:
“Although we have separate budgets and financing, the three fire and rescue services in Wales frequently procure firefighting equipment together, so that we can benefit from shared resources and economies of scale.
“In 2019, we were looking to replace our structural firefighting kit, so published an All Wales tender outlining the industry standards to be met and our agreed specifications.
“In general, there were four key elements we were looking for. The first was breathability.
“We needed the kit to be significantly more lightweight and breathable so that it would be more comfortable to wear on hot days.
“Our existing kit was hot, heavy and cumbersome.
“Our next requirement was durability.
“We wanted kit that was tough, long-lasting and resistant to wear and tear, particularly in susceptible areas such as the elbows, knees and shoulders.
“We find shoulders are a typical point of abrasion due to the fit of our self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), and also when operating firefighting jets or hose reels.
“Another important consideration was visibility.
“A high vis element was needed to help keep our crews seen and safe.
“Finally, we were keen to offer a wide range of sizes to ensure all our firefighters had comfortable kit that fitted them properly.
“As part of the tender process, we undertook wearer trials with a team of volunteers from all three FRSs.
“The volunteers wore sample kits for a series of typical firefighting activities including hose running, crawling, wearing SCBA sets and climbing ladders.
“We then used a scoring matrix to gather feedback on specific points such as comfort, flexibility and suitability for the task.
“Wearer feedback is crucial to our tender processes.
“We want our firefighters to feel supported and involved in the decision making process, particularly for kit they will be wearing almost every day.
“Based on the tender submission and the trials, Ballyclare kit came out as the clear front-runner.
“The final decision was based on a combination of performance, comfort, cost and customer service.
“The Xenon structural kit meets all our requirements. It’s lightweight and comfortable to wear, it’s our firefighters’ ‘go to’ kit.
“Even on warmer days working on incidents not involving fire, they tend to wear it rather than our current technical rescue kit.
“It has reinforced elbows, knees and shoulder panels designed to resist wear and tear, and has highly effective high vis reflective and photoluminescent tape for visibility.
“It’s almost eerie on a dark night to see the fighters glowing as they move around the fire ground!
“Ballyclare provided us with a wide range of sizes for both male and female firefighters and came to the stations to undertake a sizing programme to ensure everyone got the right fit.
“At SWFRS, we decided to purchase two sets of personal issue kit for each firefighter, whereas colleagues at MAWWFRS and NWFRS opted for a pool system for their kit.
“Roll-out was tricky as the country was hit with the first wave of COVID.
“We agreed to pause for six months to let the situation settle before delivery got underway.
“Ballyclare handled the entire process efficiently and without incident despite the challenging circumstances.
“All crews switched to the new kit on the same day, which worked well and presented us as a unified team.
“We also opted for Ballyclare’s ongoing care and maintenance service, which is fulfilled by a professional laundry company and works well.
“We have weekly collections of used kit, which is cleaned, dried, inspected, repaired if necessary, and returned within seven days.
“Over the years, our experience with Ballyclare has been very good and we have an excellent working relationship with our account manager, Lee Porter.
“We continue to work closely together to fine tune our processes and procedures.
“Above all, our firefighters are really pleased with the kit.
“They find it comfortable and easy to work in, and they trust it to keep them safe.”