FlexiTog have made their name in British industry by designing innovative, practical garments that stand up well in the most demanding sub-zero working environments. As Brendon Dunham in the company’s marketing team puts it, “Our mission is keeping people warm… and we also make some fantastic, comfortable low temperature workwear.”
Unlike other protective industrial clothing, FlexiTog’s clothes are truly a pleasure to work in, lightweight and flexible with better warmth ratings than other garments on the market. But don’t just take their word for it – ask some of their delighted customers, like DHL and Wincanton.
DHL SCORES FOR SCA PRUDHOE
DHL provides a dedicated warehousing and logistics service for SCA Hygiene’s paper and pulp mill in Prudhoe, Northumberland. The DHL-managed site works 24/7, and although the warehouse has roof mounted gas heaters, as Martin Milne, DHL’s Warehouse manager will confirm, it does get cold within the operation in the winter months, due to the open loading bays at two sides of the building, which let the cold air travel through!
At the beginning of 2013 the team decided to look at the options, first of all to save money on energy bills and second, to protect employees from low temperatures. They opted for a clothing solution from FlexiTog, which paid for itself in just three months.
DHL’s Martin Milne recalls: “As part of an improvement plan we carried out some analysis on the heating costs for the building, and found that the money being spent each month was quite excessive for the benefit the operators were receiving in terms of warmth. What we decided to do, after advice from the fire protection company who maintain our sprinkler system, was to turn off fifty percent of the heaters in the warehouse so the temperature was still at an acceptable level to prevent the pipes from freezing. We then consulted with the workforce to inform them of our intentions, but also to make them aware that we were going to purchase some really good quality cold weather clothing for the operators to protect them over the winter months.
“After consulting FlexiTog, they were able to advise us on the best clothing options for the type of work we carry out here, and samples were provided to enable the operatives to try on the specific items. We decided to purchase coats/jackets, gloves and head protection and thermal under-garments, which were delivered very promptly and accurately.”
DHL Prudhoe kitted their staff out with the range of FlexiTog clothing – the X12W long backed chill jacket, the X24J Coldstore jacket and the shorter backed bomber style X24B, designed for forklift truck drivers. Martin Milne describes the results:
“The feedback from our operators has been very positive in terms of the garments they are now wearing, as they are now protected from the elements that they have encountered in previous years. In addition to this it has helped raise morale amongst the workforce, and therefore they have become more productive. The items purchased have paid for themselves within the first three months from the savings made on energy bills.
“I have no hesitation in recommending FlexiTog to other companies for providing a first class service, as well as being able to offer a very wide range of protective clothing for low and sub-zero temperatures.”
WINCANTON WINS FOR P&G
Another satisfied customer, Anthony Steele, Wincanton’s Health & Safety Advisor at P&G’s London production site, was similarly enthusiastic in his review of FlexiTog products’ contribution to their operations:
“The main area of work here on site is ambient warehousing. During the winter months we find the use of FlexiTog’s Salopettes to be of great importance to us as a company, and all our staff comments have been about how warm they are to wear. This has been proven by our sickness and absence rates falling greatly since we introduced the salopettes. Staff members feel happier working in colder conditions, as they have the correct personal protection equipment for their tasks. I can honestly say the quality of materials used also gives a very long use life, which makes them more sustainable and cost effective for us as a company.
“Finally, the service we receive from Flexitog is one of the best, and I cannot fault the speed of delivery, politeness of their staff and the quality of their customer service. This makes the whole ordering process much more user friendly and reliable.”
FLEXITOG – THE ULTIMATE LOW TEMPERATURE WORKWEAR
FlexiTog offers clothing, gloves, footwear and accessories for three main areas, chill, coldstore and freezer. The X120 Chill Range is designed for use in chill areas specifically +5ºC to -10ºC; the X240 range has been tested for temperatures as low as -75ºC; and the X330 has been tested to -88ºC.
FlexiTog also supply thermal base layers, socks, footwear, gloves and mittens, as well as headwear. Long and short sleeve thermal vests and long johns are available in two different fits, a classic basic fit in white and a more tailored product in black. High tenacity yarns and fibres are used throughout, including nylon and polyester. Leather is used in the footwear, as well as nylon and PU leather, and Kevlar is heavily used in the gloves.
“FlexiTog’s garments are extremely lightweight and flexible,” says Brendon Dunham. “We understand the need to reduce wearer fatigue, because we know the more comfortable you are, the better you work.”
How long they last for depends very much on how the garments are used: “if a garment is used by somebody picking in the freezer area,” Brendon explains, “the life expectancy is likely to be reduced due to the high wear and tear nature of the job. A forklift driver, for instance, is likely to have his jacket much longer. Our clothing would usually be expected to last around twelve months, but you can find FlexiTog garments that companies have had for around three to four years, which are still in good working order.”
From Norfolk to the world
The company Relyupon Protection initially started the FlexiTog brand in 1975. As the name gained strength and credibility the company split and the FlexiTog brand continued on its own. Today FlexiTog is based in Neatishead, Norfolk, and their products are produced all around the world in subsidiary factories. FlexiTog products are sold outside the UK in France, Germany, Sweden, Austria, Italy, Spain, Portugal, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Oman, Kuwait and Canada.
FlexiTog mainly supplies commercial sectors, such as food service, supermarkets and distribution companies like DHL and Norbert Dentressangle, but there are some other, more diverse customers who place extremely heavy demands on the company’s protective products.
“A number of explorers and mountaineers also use our clothing,” Brendon Dunham reveals. “A team of six guys from one of our large customers recently climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, and some of the members wore FlexiTog clothing. The British Antarctic Survey has also just taken a number of our jackets on their latest expedition.”
All FlexiTog clothing can be washed in a standard domestic washing machine on a 40ºC wash. The garments can be tumble-dried on a low heat, which helps to regenerate the fibres in the insulation to keep that garment protecting the wearer for longer. Fabrics used in garment construction are selected due to their strength and flexibility. Fabrics on the X120 and X240 ranges are “ripstop” grade, and the fabric on the X330 range is a very strong close weave to reduce the risk of foreign bodies puncturing the fabric or creating the starting point for a tear. Zips and small tears are relatively easy to replace or repair, and FlexiTog also offers a mending service.
FlexiTog can respond rapidly to an enquiry from a major customer like DHL or Wincanton with a consultation and a quote. They have sales representatives on the road who quickly respond to such a request, and the company’s state of the art cloud-based ERP system ensures replies are actioned quickly and efficiently. Quotations can be provided within six hours and a visit booked the same day as the enquiry.
Customers can purchase online; companies and individuals can make card purchases over the phone; and there are also one or two retail stockists around the country. Goods are stocked in FlexiTog’s warehouse and all orders dispatched the same day up until 4.30pm for next day delivery.
And it doesn’t stop there. FlexiTog’s latest catalogue is now ready to download. New for this winter are updates to all the present ranges of clothing; there is a new range of Ice Walker freezer boots; and a complete new range of freezer gloves, with more styles launched since the last catalogue was printed. Finally, the new X9F soft jacket for warehouses and chill areas will shortly be joined by another new jacket, due to hit the market by the end of this year.
“We see FlexiTog going forward in all the markets we’re involved in,” says Brendon Dunham. “Our innovation in our products keeps us one step ahead of the competition, and we will continue to stay ahead by maintaining our level of commitment to our customers.”
Flexitog
Tel: 01692 400 300
Comments are closed.