PULSAR® is amongst the UK's most innovative designers, manufacturers and suppliers of certified high-performance work apparel, specialising in high-visibility, flame-retardant & arc-protective clothing. Amongst their biggest customers are members of the rail, utilities and highway construction & maintenance sectors, as well as offshore, transport & logistics industries. As you would expect, they're a certified RISQS supplier (Railway Industry Supplier Qualification Scheme) as well as BSiF-registered (British Safety Industry Federation) safety supply-scheme members.
Being the forward-thinking company they are, PULSAR® is keen to embrace all facets of a growing, changing and increasingly diverse marketplace, including high-spec women's workwear. For PULSAR®, this is second-nature, explains Stuart Jukes, Managing Director. "PULSAR® is a diverse workplace," he says, "and prides itself on its inclusive, welcoming work culture. In fact, more than 50% of PULSAR® staff members are women."
As more women than ever enter new areas of the global workforce, PULSAR® have been working to create new lines of workwear to meet the demand, with all the quality and functionality of the men's lines. Products have to meet EN:ISO 20471 certification for hi-vis, and waterproof products have to meet EN20343, which is the breathability standard for waterproof materials. Stuart says, "Special consideration has to be given to the structure of each product when designing women's work apparel. The seams, the structure, shoulders, inside leg, hips and waist are different from the men's, for example." With PULSAR®'s polo shirts, the two horizontal bands of hi-vis are set lower so that they're not across the bustline. PULSAR is bringing in 8 new women's products in yellow and orange, which means that they've got 16 SKUS coming in multiple sizes, and they're restructured to fit a woman's shape. Currently they stock sizes from 8 to 26.
Catering to all women means catering for women of all faiths, points out Bayleigh, Digital Marketing Executive. That's why PULSAR® has introduced a workwear hijab. "Already we've had two customers from Australia who haven't been able to source this type of work apparel in their own region. It's great to be able to provide something so important for those workers who want it", Bayleigh says.
Any real conversation about gender awareness has to include gender-neutral workers. To help develop work apparel for non-binary workers, PULSAR® have been working closely with Johnson Matthey, the global speciality chemicals and sustainable technologies company headquartered in London.
PULSAR® is working with their Diversity and Inclusion division to help workplaces across the globe to become more welcoming to all people, regardless of ethnicity, gender and ability level. In addition, each organisation has been working with other big players in the industry, including Tarmac and Network Rail, to help effect global change.
Catering for a more individual fit and personal identity means making products that people want to wear-not just because they fit well, but because workers will feel recognised and valued for who they are as people. "If people want to wear their work apparel and PPE, then that makes it easier for the H&S managers to do their jobs - and ultimately for the company to do well," says Stuart.