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Logistics is one of the oldest professions, with goods needing to be transported from point A to point B according to a schedule throughout history. It has evolved greatly over time as technological advancements, through scientific discovery and war, have made the process more easy and efficient. The Romans were perhaps the first to develop the process of goods transportation as they expanded across Europe and required supplies and soldiers to be sent across the territory regularly. In the Middle Ages, castles were de facto warehouses and horse-drawn carts were the primary means of transportation, along with boats. Today, logistics covers many sectors, from road and rail, to air, maritime and of course storage. However, maritime transport remains the most cost-effective mode of transport of goods, with approximately 90% of global trade taking place on the water.
Uniforms were not always part of the system, however they began with badges and crests to indicate the family being served by the deliverer of goods or to unite the armed forces. They could then be easily identified by others, and goods could be trusted as their crest was known, so it was clear where they had come from and who they were working for. Employment from a family of great wealth or social status was considered an honor, so staff wore the family colors and crests with great pride.
The large logistics companies like UPS, DHL and FedEx established uniforms for their workers in the 1900s and continue to use them today as it’s become increasingly known that the familiarity a uniform can bring, allows customers to trust the service they will receive, as the implication is that it will be the same anywhere in the world. The important consideration for companies when creating a uniform for their employees is the function required for each role within the business’ parameters, so that staff can feel safe and comfortable while at work; and the appearance of the uniform so that customers can be delighted by the professionality, and staff can feel pride in their appearance, which helps create a positive brand identity.
Uniforms themselves hold many benefits to a number of different industries, including function for the role, identification of employees and brand identity. For workers in the transportation industry, functionality and safety are top considerations for employers as well as brand identity. Ultimately, the goal is to safely and efficiently transport goods to your customers, and a uniform can play a significant role here.
Famously, time is money and no more so than in the logistics industry. Increasing efficiency will ultimately save a lot of time and earn you more business revenue. One way of increasing efficiency is by designing the best uniforms possible for your employees. There are many functions required from logistics professionals, and as such, many functional considerations to make.
Workers in various roles from warehouses to truck drivers can get very hot so it’s important that the fabric for their uniforms is sweat-wicking and lightweight with ventilation included. The heat can cause many different serious injuries as well as simply making work uncomfortable so it’s crucial you consider temperature when choosing your fabrics. Likewise, your drivers will likely battle many conditions as they drive all year round, so clothing needs to provide warmth when necessary too. Layers allow for drivers to adapt their body temperature to their preferences, so fleeces and waterproof coats make excellent additions to uniform lines.
Liquid repellent fabric is also a must-have for staff in the logistics industry as fluids such as oil and grease can stain uniforms leaving them unappealing and scruffy. Liquid and oil-repellent fabrics can prevent most stains and keep uniforms intact. Similarly, fabrics need to be able to release oils and stains easily in the wash to reduce costs of constantly updating the uniforms. What’s more, your uniforms should be durable to prevent general wear and tear and remain intact after many washes at high temperatures.
It’s crucial that function and aesthetics align perfectly for all uniforms, so make sure you don’t compromise any important details when choosing your uniforms, such as pockets. Pockets can sometimes be shirked in favor of more fashionable, clean cuts, however, in the logistics industry, pockets are essential for all employees to keep handy items on them such as pens, scissors and sellotape. This also makes their work more efficient as they save time looking for things and can get on with their work.
Whether your staff are lifting boxes, operating heavy machinery or repairing their vehicles, uniforms for those working in transport need to be flexible and comfortable. The material needs to move with the person without ripping or restricting movement, so clothing features such as elasticated waistbands, stretch panels and the use of elastane make for great uniforms.
When working in logistics, there are many potential problems and injuries one can face, from lifting heavy boxes, to encountering difficulties on the road, so safety is an important issue to consider when designing a uniform.
The first thing to think about is color. On the road and in storage facilities, staff members need to be visible to avoid any accidents with other vehicles or machinery. High-visibility clothing is essential as the luminescent colors of the fabric, paired with reflective strips make workers stand out against all backgrounds. There are also highway visibility standards to be considered, so all drivers should be kitted out with high-visibility clothing in case they have to exit their vehicles for any reason. What’s more, different colored uniforms can be beneficial within a company to make it clear which person belongs to which department so that staff members who are not appropriately trained in particular areas are not permitted to enter for their own safety.
Uniforms also protect staff from other injuries from their roles, such as harmful liquids, aerosols and even fire. Flame resistant uniforms can prevent injuries caused by electrical fires or overheated engines by protecting the skin and standing strong without melting, igniting or burning in the face of flames. Coveralls and aprons can also be used in addition to normal uniforms to help protect staff from dangerous substances, as well as keep their uniforms clean and tidy. There are naturally fire-resistant materials available as well as the option of treating materials with chemicals to make them fire-resistant; these are recommended for many roles within the logistics sector to keep employees safe in their workplace, wherever that might be.
Extreme heat and extreme cold are also threats to your employees safety. Drivers can experience many different climates through the course of their deliveries and it’s important that they’re prepared for any and all eventualities. Similarly, those working in warehouses are often at risk of overheating in their roles due to the active nature of their work and the location of the warehouses themselves. For this reason, appropriate workwear is essential to keep everyone safe, happy and productive.
Uniforms should work with the body’s natural cooling and heating systems, including sweating and ventilation, so sweat-wicking technology should be implemented in the fabric used for the uniforms. Cotton and polyester blends are excellent fabrics to allow the quick evaporation of sweat from the skin to keep the wearer cool and prevent unpleasant smells from the build up of sweat causing body odor. Silk and synthetic materials are also known to be beneficial for moisture-wicking, but blends of materials are recommended in order to reap the benefits of each.
As most body heat is lost from the head, warm hats, and in extreme conditions, balaclavas too, should be provided in wintery conditions, so the body can sustain its normal core temperature of 37°C (98.6°F), as well as gloves and warm socks to protect the extremities. Spares of each should also be provided to employees in the case of the originals becoming wet and not working as efficiently at keeping the wearer warm; pure cotton should be avoided in these garments as they hold onto moisture.
Having many different uniform options can be expensive, however. That’s where layers come in handy. Being able to add or remove layers according to the outside temperature will remove the need for multiple options for each employee as well as specific clothing items for specific employees. Drivers are often recommended to have three layers plus an outer, waterproof layer for optimum comfort. Providing these layers as a company also adds an extra chance for advertising as your uniform will have your logo or company name emblazoned on it, rather than leaving your employees to wear their own clothing on top, covering company polo shirts or t-shirts. This also represents to your customers as much as your employees that your business cares greatly for the comfort and wellbeing of your staff, creating a positive brand image.
Socks and shoes can also be a part of a uniform, ensuring both the safety of the wearer as well as the consistency of the uniform itself and thus the appearance of each individual employee. Protective footwear such as steel-toe capped boots are crucial in warehouse environments to protect staff from falling objects, sharp objects or burns. Without them, there are many potential injuries that could take place, creating an unsafe workplace and reducing efficiency with staff unable to continue working until they have recovered. Boots should be large enough to fit a thin pair of socks and a second, thicker, woolen pair of socks underneath for the warmth and comfort of the wearer. In snowy climes, gaiters can be provided to prevent snow entering the shoes and wetting the feet.
While safety and function are imperative aspects of a uniform for the physical wellbeing of your employees, aesthetics of the uniform can have a mental effect on both staff and customers alike.
A smart uniform presents a professional appearance to customers, instilling the idea of your business being a cohesive, committed and well functioning operation, and one that provides the same user experience all over the world. Your uniform should thus be neat, clean and fit well to maintain a positive impression on your clients. This is especially important for truck drivers as they are on the road almost constantly and therefore the most obvious ambassadors for your brand, so need an outstanding physical appearance all the time. As many blended fabrics wrinkle easily, a permanent press is often beneficial to prevent these creases from appearing, so your staff don’t have to deal with ironing their work clothes daily and can rest assured they will have a smart, professional appearance in their uniform.
Your staff’s feelings towards their uniform is also of vital importance. It’s been proven that the clothes you wear affect your performance, so a comfortable and aesthetically appealing uniform is crucial for employees to feel satisfied in their work and come each day with their best performance. This satisfaction that the right uniform can give employees, reflects in their general behavior towards colleagues and customers and can be the difference between an acceptable and an exceptional customer experience. The uniform itself creates a distinction between work and home life, so employees can turn up with the right mental attitude, given the right uniform. Job satisfaction also reflects in company loyalty - those happy in their work will be happy to continue working, while those companies who don’t listen to their staff or show them the respect they deserve have a higher employee turnover, which can be costly to any business.
While appearing to be more united when wearing a uniform, staff also feel more united when dressed the same as their colleagues which creates a greater sense of team unity. It makes everyone equal as they are all working together for a shared goal and shows that no one person is above another on the same team. This instills trust and confidence among individuals with their coworkers and generally makes for a more enjoyable workplace, which again improves customer service and employee retention.
A uniform can do wonders for your brand image and your identity. It’s what makes your staff instantly recognizable and, if the quality is right, stand out high above your competition. Although some of your staff will be behind closed doors, truck drivers, delivery agents and other personnel will be the visible side of your company, so it’s important that they’re equipped with a high quality, professional looking uniform that speaks to the high quality of your service and overall customer experience.
The color of your uniform should match or compliment that of your company logo to make it obvious from afar who your employees work for so that your regular customers can feel safe in the knowledge that your brand respects the image it presents, and others who might not yet have used your services start to become familiar with your presence. The more people who see your logo, the more business you will get. Plus, it takes seven sightings of a product or service for a prospect to make a purchase and become your customer, so you want your brand to be as visible as possible to increase your customer base and generate more revenue.
Choosing the right uniform manufacturer can be difficult as there are many factors to think about. However there are some essential features that make a manufacturer right for your business or not.
Firstly, you should think about the function, safety and appearance of the uniforms you’d like to employ, so you have an idea of the kind of uniform you would like. A good uniform manufacturer will be able to take on all the information you give and provide expert advice on the type of materials that would best meet the needs of your staff as well as the style that would represent your brand in the way you desire. They should also be able to offer you various options so that you may choose an appropriate uniform according to your individual budget. Since there are many varied roles within the transport and logistics industry, you will also need to cater to different body types, so your manufacturer should be able to offer you a vast range of sizes to meet your needs.
Aside from these factors addressing the function and high-quality of the uniforms themselves, you should also look for a manufacturer who can guarantee you an excellent service throughout your designing and buying journey with them. This can be hard to come by, or at least hard to differentiate, so we advise you to shop around and ask what the manufacturer can do for you, so that you can evaluate which best meets your needs before investing fully.
