Protection when you need it

An Executive Interview with Carhartt

Carhartt’s Merchandising and Design Manager Keith Taperell, explains about how oil and gas workwear needs to comfortable, durable and built to last.

O&G. Safety is of paramount importance to the oil and gas industry today. Can you explain how your products are developed with the safety and protection of workers in mind? 
KT. When designing our Carhartt products, whether they are for the O&G industry or for other PPE sectors, we really start by putting ourselves into the position of the person who will be wearing the garment. We do not add any elements into the design that could be misused and put the wearer at risk. We develop new styles with the appropriate function in mind and within the boundaries of the applicable EN norms. In order that we are correctly applying the above, whilst still catering for the need of the workers; we work closely with our consumers; our internal sales teams, our customers and retailers, and also conduct site visits. Through the combination of all of the above we are able to address the safety demands and ensure that we are bringing true fit for purpose products into our Carhartt Workwear product portfolio.

O&G. How does your clothing and protective apparel meet the needs of the oil and gas sector – a business conducted in extreme environments with varying weather conditions?
KT. Our Carhartt Workwear product range needs to cover a wide variety of markets, and with that different demands and differing climatic requirements. In order to successfully cater for these varied needs we established styles with differing weights, the ability to have removable liners and through the use of both natural and synthetic fibres. Our garment construction for our more technical products is the same and just as durable as our more heritage based products. We look to use triple stitching on our main seams in the most part, bar-tack or the use rivets at vital stress points and work with premium components for all. Whether it is a classic Carhartt 100 percent cotton bib and brace, or a Flame Retardant and Anti-Static Parka; we construct all our garments to withstand the rigours of the environment in which they will be used.

O&G. And how do you strive to make sure that the clothing is practical, durable, comfortable, and even stylish?
KT. Carhartt’s history and success as a Workwear manufacturing brand is steeped in providing practical, durable and comfortable clothing for the professional worker. In 1889 our founder, Hamilton Carhartt, talked to and listened to railroad workers and engineers; and then brought out clothing that catered for their exact requirements. Even though the demands of the modern worker are different today, we at Carhartt still follow those same principles. Namely, to really understand what it is that the professional worker needs and to deliver garment solutions that fulfil this need.

In addition to this, and driven by the needs of the more progressive and innovative markets within Europe, we look not just within the Workwear sector, but also to other areas and markets to ensure that we are providing premium, modern and relevant Carhartt clothing for the professional worker. Our product mantra remains durability, comfort, fit, function and style. Our priority is that exact order, but all five elements are designed into every product that we produce.

O&G. I understand that you focus on products that are flame retardant and anti-static. Please explain more, and how these fabrics meet the highest standards.
KT. In our European Carhartt Workwear range we use many different fabrics; choice for each garment is dependant upon the actual end use. We have a wide product offer that has a range of fabrics from 100 percent cotton right up to very advanced synthetic fabrics with more technical applications.

We work with premium fabrications that not only comply to EN norms, but also to our own high Carhartt quality standards. All new fabrics are thoroughly tested and must be approved prior to us putting them into use for our garments. We work closely with our key partnering suppliers to this end. For our products that require flame retardant and anti-static properties, we look to utilise fabrics that withstand the test of time and retain their properties after multiple use; so that our professional workers can feel confident and safe in their Carhartt® Workwear.

O&G. Tell me about your R&D efforts into new products and what feedback you get from customers?
KT. We are constantly innovating and developing our product range in order to retain our premium Workwear status and to be at the forefront of Workwear in Europe. Without receiving direct feedback and by partnering with customers and professional workers we would not be in such an advantageous position. By developing these partnerships we can obtain first hand, extremely relevant, feedback that ensures we are providing the perfect garment solutions.

O&G. Are there any new products or innovations that you are working on? How will they benefit the industry?
KT. Without giving too much away at this stage! One of our main development focuses is in the area of multi-hazard clothing. To provide our customers the selling proposition of garments that can cover multiple end use applications. Which in turn supports the professional workers need for premium garments, that they can feel safe and confident whilst wearing. We have worked closely on developing a range of products that fulfil the needs and requirements of many different work environments. Within these individual garments we are looking at the need for hi-visibility, flame retardancy, waterproof, breathable and anti-static properties combined. We have also ensured that we are packaging these products in modern, innovative Carhartt silhouettes ­– so that we fulfil all our product mantras, right down to style. This range will be in addition to our current, already available, wide product offering of Workwear garments. I cannot really say anymore on that at this time, apart from the fact that we will be bringing this new collection to market in early 2009.