Factory production line and conveyor belt full of biscuits

Delivering procurement efficiencies with PPE

Reducing PPE costs not quality for a food manufacturer

Collaboration with a trusted PPE supplier cut costs without comprising quality or compliance.

"Health and safety in food and beverage is different to other industries,” observes Neil Major, Group Sales Director for PPE at RS, in a recent analysis of the sector. “It’s twofold in that it’s about the health and safety of the worker and the health and safety of the public who’ll be consuming the manufactured product.”  

As a result, food and beverage manufacturers are subject to exacting legal requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE). Failure to comply can lead to heavy penalties in the form of fines, failed audits, interruptions to production and reputational damage. “It’s got to be exactly the right product for the scenario,” says Major, “that has the right technical specifications and been approved by the correct people.”  

At the same time, those responsible for PPE procurement face the same challenges as other business functions, including the pressure to improve productivity and operate more efficiently. They are tasked with doing more with less while still ensuring compliance and minimising risk. It’s a big ask but as this case study shows, collaborating with a trusted PPE supplier that understands the needs of the industry can help them to negotiate these competing demands.  

A leading global food manufacturer has more than 10 sites in the UK, all of which need the right PPE in the right place at the right time to ensure production schedules go ahead as planned. The correct boots or gloves not available in the sizes required? Operations grind to a halt. 

Given the disruption caused by global supply chain issues in recent years, the customer had begun buying higher volumes of PPE products and an increased number of SKUs to help ensure on-site availability. However, this strategy created additional complications for the procurement team. It was also inefficient and alongside spot buying and unrestricted spending contributed to spiralling costs.  

When the customer turned to RS Safety Solutions to find ways to reduce the overall cost of PPE without compromising quality, availability or compliance, National Account Manager James Nicholson worked closely with its procurement team to identify where savings could be made.  

Together they analysed spend and volume over the previous 12 months and identified certain key categories, such as footwear, that had seen significant cost increases. RS Safety Solutions then rationalised SKUs and offered product switches that enabled the customer to realise tangible cost benefits. Thanks to these changes, the procurement team also gained greater visibility of spend and the ability to better plan for demand.  

All this was achieved without any negative effects on health and safety standards. “The food and beverage industry is governed by strict regulations,” says Nicholson, “so it was key we continued to support the customer to meet and exceed the standards while helping to improve their efficiencies and reduce their costs.” 

The first area of focus for standardisation and consolidation was footwear. Moving from PU wellingtons to a Pollyboot option generated annual savings of £22,000 and reducing the leather safety footwear available to purchase from more 100 lines to nine saved a further £19,000 per annum.  

The same strategies are now being applied to PPE gloves. This category has huge potential in terms of savings as it makes up 40% of the customer’s annual PPE spend. Switching to a more efficient hand drying paper system in areas of high footfall will also generate savings of more than 50%.  

Going forward, Nicholson and the food manufacturer are aiming to reduce the total cost of safety to the business too. Rather than focusing just on product and price, this approach involves looking at ways to reduce workplace risks and allows customers realise cost-in-use benefits.  

“The engagement we have between RS Safety Solutions and the customer means we can add value over and above the supply of products,” concludes Nicholson. “We can better support them to meet fluctuations in demand and mitigate supply chain risks, while exploring opportunities to reduce their impact on the environment and react dynamically to changes in pricing.”  

Furthermore, he adds, “What we have already achieved and the forthcoming projects we have planned show the importance of maintaining a strong, collaborative and strategic customer and supplier relationship.”  

Head back to our PPE page to see how else we can support you with your PPE requirements today.