The global protective clothing market is estimated to be worth over $7.33 billion, according to a recent report by MarketsandMarkets. This is a huge apparel sales opportunity for distributors, and we’re making it easy to start selling this important and profitable product category by revealing the who, what and how to sell protective and safety equipment. Plus, discover best-selling products you can start pitching right now.
There are a plethora of customers who need safety and protective apparel. GAME Apparel recommends focusing on the groups below for the best chance of sales success.
Be sure to ask prospective clients if they require ANSI-compliant apparel or not. GAME Apparel carries a wide variety of both ANSI-compliant and non-compliant styles so you’ll be able to find something for every industry and company need.
ANSI – What Does It Mean?
ANSI (American National Standards Institute) is a nonprofit organization that oversees standards for things like products, services and processes in the United States. ANSI works with other organizations, government agencies and consumer groups to define the standards that need to be upheld, ensuring consistency across the board for our country’s products and services.
In the world of personal protective apparel, ANSI-compliant means these styles adhere to the guidelines ANSI has laid out for what constitutes a true protective garment. Non-ANSI compliant apparel will be a better fit for clients with little risk involved in their job (such as event volunteers or parking lot attendants) where ANSI regulations may not be necessary. Ask your clients to define what standards are required for their teams’ protective gear to ensure you sell styles that meet their unique needs.
ANSI-Compliant Personal Protective Apparel
- Firefighters
- Police officers
- EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians)
- First responders
- Parking lot security
- Parking lot valet attendants
- Bus drivers
- Delivery drivers
- Courier service personnel
- Garbage collectors
- Construction crews
- Airport crews
- Snow removal
- Warehouse and distribution centers
- Utility crews and salespeople
- Big-box retail stores
- Landscapers
- Municipal DPW (Department of Public Works) or DOT (Department of Transportation) crews
Non-ANSI Compliant Personal Protective Apparel
- Warehouse and property maintenance
- Industrial facility visitors
- Event volunteers
- Clean-up crews
- Stadium security
- Parking attendants
- Shopping cart retrievers
- Crossing guards
Now that you’ve got your prospects, it’s time to present the products. Talk to your customers to better understand their needs. Are they looking for lightweight high-visibility vests workers can wear over their clothes, or do they need heavy-duty protective outerwear to keep workers safe and warm outside? Once you have an idea of what your clients are after, try presenting some of these top sellers from GAME Apparel.
Vests are an affordable and effective apparel type for all professions. These lightweight and low price point styles can be thrown over any shirt or jacket, making it easy to ensure ANSI-compliance for less.
The Econo Class 3 Vest (#I-678E)
Affordable and lightweight, this economical vest option promises all the safety your clients need at a price point they’ll love.
The contrasting black trim adds bold detailing to make employees more visible.
Reflective tape and vibrant coloring will ensure your staff stays safe while on the job.
The D.O.T. Mesh Vest With Pockets (#I-85)
Keep workers from overheating while they work with this lightweight safety vest.
The 5-Point Breakaway Vest (#I-684)
Hook-and-loop breakaway closure on shoulders, sides and front will keep employees comfortable and prevent accidents.
The Econo Work-Zone Vest (#I-35E)
While not ANSI-compliant, this budget-friendly vest is available in a host of fun colors like royal blue and navy – an opportunity for creative uses outside of traditional work zones.
Not only will the bright colors keep wearers safe, they’re also a great branding opportunity. Coordinate the colors with your client’s brand to bring their company colors to their job sites.
Basic apparel types like polos and T-shirts are a great starting point for your sales presentations, thanks to their low price point and versatility across many professions. Plus, there’s opportunity for layering additional garments on top of them, which means more add-on orders for you.
For clients who desire safety apparel but don’t want to sacrifice style, try this moisture-wicking polo with a tapered collar.
The Black Bottom Hi-Vis Tee (#2201)
Thanks to soil-release properties and a black bottom to reduce staining, this lightweight safety tee makes a great choice for people who work outside.
The Ventilated Deluxe Tee (#235R)
Lightweight mesh ventilation panels under the arms allow optimal air circulation, essential for jobs where employees will be working up a sweat.
The GAME-Wick Deluxe Tee With 2" Reflective Striping & Pocket (#221R)
This moisture-wicking safety style is perfect for keeping workers cool on hot job sites.
The GAME-Wick Two-Tone Class 3 Tee (#275R)
This polyester microfiber feels like cotton and features soil release properties to reduce staining.
Mic clips and moisture-wicking fabric make this safety style great for workers on the move.
Sweatshirts and hoodies are workplace essentials, especially for professions dealing with weather that can be hard to predict. While they make great sells on their own, consider pairing them with shirts and outerwear to give employees the versatility to dress appropriately for any job or temperature.
The Solid Hi-Vis Hoodie (#8210)
This high-visibility sweatshirt makes a great basic piece for your clients thanks to its simple, effective design. Plus, it’s unlined, so there’s plenty of room for layering.
The Econo Hoodie With Segmented Reflective Tape (#865E)
For professions that need headgear, try this safety sweatshirt with an oversized hood to ensure all protective equipment can be worn with ease.
The Maintenance Hoodie (#8260)
This striking sweatshirt has all the benefits your clients need on the job, like moisture wicking, soil release and color fastness. Plus, the black bottom reduces the appearance of stains.
This comfortable zip-up makes a great layering piece for transitional weather. Plus, its polyester material gives workers all the benefits of color fastness, moisture-wicking and soil-release properties.
Jackets need to do more than increase visibility: They need to keep workers warm and protected from the elements as well. For these garments, features like thermal regulation and wind- and water-resistance are important, especially if your client's staff will be working outside.
The Municipality Jacket (#1370)
Workers won’t need to worry about wind or rain thanks to weather-protectant features.
Look no further for heavy-duty protection: Both the inner and outer jackets have many benefits like fleece lining, radio pockets and reflective tape.
The sealed seams on this jacket will keep workers safe with wind and waterproofing, while reflective tape means they’ll be clearly visible in poor weather conditions.
The All-State Winter Parka With Hidden Hood (#1380)
Stay safe and protected with 2" reflective tape, sealed seams and heavy-duty fabric.
Last but not least, educate your clients on the benefits of protective and safety apparel by walking them through the key selling points below:
ANSI/ISEA Class Color Standards:
Simply put, these compliance standards provide guidelines for high-visibility garments often used in professions that deal with high-risk and low-visibility conditions. This includes specifications for:
- Design
- Color
- Reflective materials
- Labeling
- And more.
Many jobs require ANSI-compliant workwear for their staff, so always confirm with your clients whether this is a requirement for their order or not. Additionally, be sure to find out which class standards their workwear must meet to ensure your styles are up to code.
Source: Reflective Apparel Factory
Reflective properties:
Along with vibrant “safety green” and “safety orange” colors, reflective tape is another key way workers are easily spotted and stay safe on the job. These strips are usually silver or gray and reflect light, making them visible to drivers on the road or in other situations.
Wind resistance:
Even before temperatures plummet, wind can hinder workers on the job, affecting performance and putting their health at risk. Reassure your clients that their safety and protective gear will keep wind at bay, and their staff will be warm and able to work to the best of their ability.
Thermal regulation and insulation:
Workwear end-users will often be outside and subjected to freezing temperatures, so proper insulation is crucial to workplace safety. Ask your clients about the climate their staff will be working in. If they’ll be outside with the elements, be sure to sell them styles that offer thermal regulation and insulation.
Function and range of motion:
Workers who need protective and safety garments are often performing strenuous labor. Their workwear needs to be able to bend and stretch with every movement, making range of motion an important selling point. Highlight product details that allow maximum movement to show the real benefit of workwear.
Durability:
While all apparel should last a while, this is especially important for workwear that will be put through its paces. Be sure to emphasize how long these garments will last to show how clients can save on costs down the line.
Quality:
When it comes to the quality of safety apparel, there’s no room for penny pinching. Even budget-minded customers won’t be willing to compromise on the quality of their garments when their workers’ safety is on the line. When you order from GAME Apparel, you can rest assured every style offered is at the top of its class, protecting your clients and their customers from dangers on the job.
Style:
Just because apparel is ANSI-compliant doesn’t mean you have to ignore appearance. Well-made garments with a good fit usually look better than other brands. GAME Apparel takes great care to ensure their workwear is attractive while providing all the functionality and protection users need.