New work clothes on the way

ESVAGT is replacing its complete range of work clothes. Safety and visibility come before fashion.

When ESVAGT rolls out its new range of work clothes in the final quarter of 2014, the starting point will be safety, functionality and practicality.

Even though these qualities have taken priority over the catwalk and fashion week considerations, making the clothes look good has also been a focus.

”Of course it’s a compromise. The design is modern and a vast improvement on the current design though the starting point is still our red colour, which is part of our visual identity,” says Supply Chain Manager, Carsten Larsen.

”But because our ships are also red, it can be difficult to see people on deck if they are walking around in clothes in the same red colour. This is why we have supplemented the red colour with yellow shoulders, chest section and ankles – though we have of course included the regulation reflectors. We want to be visible,” he says.

Testing functionality

ESVAGT’s new work clothes are specially made for ESVAGT from High Visibility fabric that is also fire-resistant. The thermal suits are also anti-static.

”We have designed our own range of work clothes for the entire organisation. It is still based on the well-known KANSAS quality but is formed into our own, unique ESVAGT design. We have also ensured that it meets our own very high standards for safety and functionality.

The work clothes also have shoulder straps for badges and two velcro strips on the chest for the vessel’s name, employee title and name. When in port and during customer visits to the vessel, it is important that everybody can see who is who. We are pleased to say that employees are proud to show who they work for – and that is something the clothes need to signal,” says Carsten Larsen.

The range of work clothes will include work trousers, overalls, jacket and a boiler suit in short and long sleeved versions. There is also a thermal collection. The range will ensure that, in future, everyone will wear the same work clothes regardless of which job they do.

We will still have a separate uniform for navigators consisting of a new type of black trousers and a blue shirt with a logo, and, of course, a chef’s uniform which will remain the same.

A collection of samples will be tested on two vessels during the third quarter of 2014.

”The tests will show whether the clothes are comfortable and practical to wear, and whether they wear well in terms of daily use and washing.”

If the tests go well, the plan is to start ordering the new work clothes at the end of the year. There will though be a short changeover period where existing stock of the current work clothes will be used first.