How UK Construction Companies Are Saving 15–25% on Workwear and PPE (HS2 Case Study)

Most construction companies assume their workwear and PPE pricing is “about right”.

In reality, we’re consistently seeing 15–25% savings available - without changing specifications, brands, or compliance standards.

Here’s a real example from a contractor working on the HS2 C23 section.

The Situation

We were asked to review a company’s current workwear and PPE spend.

They provided a full breakdown of their purchasing across:

Workwear
PPE
Branded garments

The list included 50 individual product lines, made up of a mix of well known brands such as:

Portwest
Hantex
Ultimate Industrial
Supertouch
Uneek
OAKLINE

This is a typical supplier mix for UK construction companies.

What We Found

After reviewing the spreadsheet, a few patterns stood out:

Inconsistent pricing across similar products
Some items already competitively priced
Others carrying significant margin
Branding costs varying widely depending on supplier

Importantly:

There was nothing “wrong” with the products - just how they were being purchased.

What We Did

The objective was simple:

Reduce cost without disrupting site operations

So we:

Price matched key items where pricing was already competitive
Identified areas with immediate savings
Kept approximately 80% of the existing products exactly the same
Introduced smarter, like-for-like alternatives where appropriate

No unnecessary changes. No risk to compliance.

The Result
22% total saving across all products
Equivalent to £23,000 per year

All achieved through a structured, like-for-like review.

Where the Savings Came From

The savings weren’t from cutting quality.

They came from:

1. Supplier margin differences

The same product can vary significantly depending on where it’s sourced.

2. Lack of regular price benchmarking

Many businesses don’t revisit pricing once a supplier is in place.

3. Branding inefficiencies

Embroidery and print costs are often where hidden margin builds up.

4. Smarter alternatives (where needed)

In some cases, equivalent products delivered better value without compromising performance.

What Stayed the Same (and why that matters)

One of the biggest concerns for site teams is disruption.

In this case:

~80% of products remained unchanged
No retraining required
No impact on compliance
No delays on site

This is key.

Savings should not come at the cost of operational efficiency.

What This Means for Construction Buyers

If you’re ordering workwear or PPE regularly, there’s a strong chance:

You’re overpaying on certain lines
Your pricing hasn’t been benchmarked recently
Your supplier is relying on consistency over competitiveness

This isn’t unusual - it’s just how the market works.

How to Check Your Own Spend

Before placing your next order, it’s worth doing a simple review:

Compare your top 10–15 SKUs across suppliers
Review your branding costs per item
Ask for a like-for-like quote rather than alternatives
Check if your supplier is actively managing your pricing

Final Thought

Most companies don’t realise the scale of potential savings until they see a full comparison.

In this case:

£23,000 per year was saved without changing how the site operates.

Need a Like-for-Like Comparison?

If you’ve got an upcoming workwear or PPE order, we can:

Review your current pricing
Compare it like-for-like
Identify where savings exist

No obligation - just clarity before you commit.