TESTING TIMES

There has never been a more testing time to be part of an industry that provides Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

PPE became a hot-topic in news bulletins at the start of the coronavirus crisis as the world’s supply of Covid-19 protection was exhausted and supply struggles dominated.

Sourcing and supplying PPE has been my job in one way or another for the past three decades, but nothing could have prepared me, or others in the industry for what happened in early 2020.

AN INFLUX OF SUPPLIERS

The urgent demand for PPE led to more and more suppliers turning their hands to producing it. However, that led to a problem.

Sourcing PPE isn’t just a case of finding a supplier and buying the product at the best price. You have to be able to trust that what you are buying is up to the job, especially when lives are at stake.

Imagine supplying tens of thousands of face coverings, visors or protective aprons to the NHS and finding out they are not Covid-19 compliant?

Imagine providing a construction worker with new safety equipment and then finding out it doesn’t meet the EN safety standards.

TRUST IS EVERYTHING

In this industry, trust is everything.

We have to trust the manufacturers we work with and you trust us to supply you with compliant products that will keep you and your teams safe.

My experience has taught me to be cautious when sourcing new products, from new supply chains. I believe that a staggeringly-high percentage of PPE on the market could be non-compliant as a result of so called ‘start-ups’ providing products from overseas.

IT'S NOT WORTH THE RISK

There are things you just don’t take a risk with, and a person’s safety is one of those.

The fines are huge for supplying non-compliant PPE – and the liability is shared 50-50 between the manufacturer and distributor.

But while losing money is important, losing your reputation, losing the trust of your customers and worse of all having to live with the knowledge you didn’t keep someone safe is far more important.

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Here are the top three things to consider when seeking a new supplier:

1. The three C’s
Think Compliance, Conformity and Certification.

Not all products and producers are the same, not all products do what they say and not all certifications are real. So, for that added peace of mind, look to partner with suppliers who have in-house facilities including audit and compliance teams and in-house laboratory and testing facilities.

2. Range
Think choice

In this instance, choice is a good thing. Why? Far from suggesting jack of all trades master of none, suppliers who can offer you a broad range of quality products, from both an OEM and Partner Brands perspective, are more likely to be able to meet your requirements rather than you having to make compromise after compromise.

3. Service Capability
Think continuous supply

The supply issues of PPE experienced earlier this year were unprecedented but can be used as a stark reminder of how important product data, specification, stock levels, quoting and delivery are. To prevent you falling short, choose a supplier who can guarantee service capability across all these areas for all your requirements.

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