The workwear market - Italy (2023)

1.2 The world market and the European market

By ****, the global workwear market is worth $**.* billion. With a compound annual growth rate (***) of *.* percent, by **** the value of the market could reach a total value of $**.* billion. Workwear market World, ****-****, in billions of dollars Alliedmarketresearch

The European workwear market is among the most relevant globally, partly due to the presence of stringent work safety regulations within the European Union. In ****, the workwear market in Europe is worth $*.** billion. By ****, with a projected compound annual growth rate (***) of *.* percent, the total value of the European market could reach $**.** billion. Workwear market Europe, **** Businessmarketinsights Germany continues to be the largest consumer market in Europe with significant demand for safe workwear for workers in various industries. The German market dominates the European workwear market and by **** this is expected to reach a value of $*.** billion.

1.3 The growing Italian market

In order to analyze the Italian workwear market, the turnover of companies dedicated to the manufacture of workwear (***). The trend is positive during the entire period under consideration, and between **** and **** the highest growth is recorded: between **** and **** the increase is ** percent while in the following year, thanks mainly to the growing demand from the healthcare sector as a result of the pandemic, the growth is **.* percent.

Turnover of workwear packaging companies Italy, ****-****, in millions of euros Istat

Next, considering the production of workwear sold, between **** and **** the total value shows growth (***) while in the following years the sector shows sustained growth. Between **** and ****, the compound annual growth rate is **.*% and the total value of production sold increases from ***.* million in **** to more than *** million in ****.

Production of workwear sold Italy, ****-****, in millions of euros Istat

1.4 The consequences of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict

The outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict in February **** resulted in, among other things, a general increase in the producer price index. The workwear industry is not exempt from price growth. Between January **** and August ****, the producer price index for workwear grew by **.* points. This means that prices for the industry in the **-month period rose by **.* percent. Compared with ****, the prices for workwear manufacturing increased by **.*%. Producer price index workwear packaging Italy, ****-****, base ****=*** Istat

The increase in producer prices is reflected in higher prices for the end consumer. Assuming a correlation between the workwear market and the apparel market in general, through the graph below it is possible to show the price increase for consumers. Between January **** and August ****, the consumer price index rose by * points. Over an **-month period, therefore, prices for clothing increased by an average of * percent. Compared to ****, the increase stands at * percent Consumer price index for clothing for the entire community Italy, ****-****, base ****=*** ISTAT

2.1 The question

There are two types of demand for work clothing Private sector demand: covers personnel in construction companies, personnel in food and accommodation services as well as those employed in the building and construction industry. Public sector demand: includes public officials such as law enforcement and health services personnel In order to analyze the demand for work clothes in Italy, the number of employees in the main industries where workers are required to wear work clothes and personal protective equipment (***) is considered. In particular, the manufacturing sector, the construction sector, the hotel and restaurant sector and finally the health and social care sector will be highlighted. In the absence of timely data about the actual demand for work clothes in the different sectors, an increase in the demand for work clothes is assumed to correlate with the increase in employment in the sector As for the number of people employed in the healthcare sector, growth is evident between **** and **** (***). The graph below shows that even before the outbreak of the pandemic in ****, the trend of employment in the sector is positive, with steady and uniform growth throughout the entire period.

Number of workers in the health sector Italy, ****-****, in thousands Source: ...

2.2 Demand drivers

The main drivers of demand for workwear are:

Safety regulations and sonformity: government and industry regulations regarding workplace safety often require the use of specific work clothes to protect workers from potential hazards. Work safety awareness: increased awareness of work safety among employers and workers can increase the demand for protective work clothes. Work clothes provide protection against physical hazards such as chemicals, heat, cold, sharp objects, electricity, radiation and others. In many cases, the protection provided by work clothes can prevent serious injury or even save lives. Corporate image and branding: companies can use work clothes as part of their brand image and to promote a uniform corporate culture. The use of work clothes does not serve as a safety device but as a pure image or sign of belonging to a given company. Whether it's overalls, a T-shirt, or a smart suit, being dressed all the same creates a sense of team and helps customers immediately recognize a company representative.(***) Professional and hygiene standards: in some industries, such as food or health care, professional and hygiene standards require the use of specific work clothes.

(***)

2.3 Geographical distribution of demand

To visualize the geographical distribution of demand for work clothes, a map was created with the number of employees in the main industries where work clothes and personal protective equipment (***) are needed.

The distribution across the territory is extremely uneven. The Northwest collects **.* percent of the total number of employees in manufacturing, construction, catering, hotels and health care; followed by the Northeast with **.* percent. Moving down the boot, the territorial difference becomes evident: in the Center, those employed are **.* percent of the total while in the South they are **.* percent. Finally, the Islands gather just *.*% of the total number of employees in the * sectors listed above.

3.1 Workwear market value chain

3.2 A concentrated market

In order to analyze the foodservice market, enterprises under Ateco code **.** "Apparel making" are considered. In particular, the number of active enterprises, the number of employees and the legal form of enterprises are analyzed.

Number of enterprises

In recent years, the garment making industry appears to have been shrinking. Between **** and ****, the total number of enterprises in the industry decreased by **.*%. Only in **** is there an increase in enterprises, probably related to the outbreak of the pandemic and increased demand especially from the healthcare sector. However, **** businesses return to decline again, as shown by the *.* percent drop from ****.

Number of companies producing workwear Italy, ****-****, in number of units Source: ****

The trend in the number of employees in the industry closely tracks the trend in the number of firms. Between **** and ****, the decline in the number of employees stands at *.* percent, and the contraction is mainly concentrated between **** and **** (***). Employment of garment making enterprises Italy, ****-****, in number Istat Regarding the legal form of enterprises, limited liability companies and sole proprietorships are the main forms of business in ****, accounting for **.* percent and **.* percent, respectively. This is followed by general partnerships at **.* percent and other legal forms at *.* percent. Legal form workwear ...

3.3 The distribution of work clothes in Italy

The workwear market is based on volume and is mainly aimed at professionals who wish to have standardized clothing, suitable for their activities and in sufficient quantity to equip all their staff.

Thus, workwear distribution is structured around * main channels:

Direct sales: in business-to-business trade, manufacturers supply directly to end users. This distribution channel is mainly used for image garments, which must meet precise specifications, implying a direct relationship with the customer. (***) Sales by wholesale distributors: generally through building materials trading companies. This channel is favored by protective clothing and PPE because of their intensive use by those involved in the construction industry. (***)

The growth of Internet sales has allowed new players to emerge in recent years, making it possible for companies to retail their products faster. Today, the distribution market is very competitive, with a multitude of players, including a large number of exclusively online distributors. It is not uncommon for traditional distributors to develop an online offering or at least a detailed digital storefront.

3.4 The main actors

Some of the leading Italian manufacturers of workwear are listed below:

Siggi Group:founded in ****, the 'company specializes in professional and school clothing, is able to give specific answers to the needs of those who work in the world of industry, commerce, handicrafts, catering, public administration and the medical/hospitality and wellness sector.

Clever s.r.l: founded in ****, thanks to the skills acquired and strategic collaborations with highly specialized brands from every sector, the company is able to offer a wide range of customizable clothing for different purposes. From promotional casual wear to sportswear, technical wear, personal protective equipment and accident prevention accessories.

Sir Safety System: founded in ****, the company is now an internationally prominent business. Production focuses on workwear, safety footwear and personal protective equipment ealized to ensure the highest level of protection, the highest quality standards, using the most innovative technological knowledge.

Grassi s.p.a: founded in ****, the company manufactures technical apparel aimed at the professional, public administration, and sports and fashion sectors with a strong focus on innovation and sustainability. Today it has *,*** employees and * production sites distributed among Italy, Romania, Albania and Tunisia that guarantee an annual production of about * million garments.

Cbf Balducci: since ...

4.1 Type of the offer

Work clothes are specialized garments designed to be worn in the professional setting. They are intended to protect workers from hazards, promote hygiene, provide a degree of uniformity and professionalism, as well as meet specific needs related to the particular work environment or task being performed. Depending on function and purpose, it is possible to divide workwear into:

Technical Clothing:

This category includes garments designed for specific technical or operational needs. They are often made from advanced materials to ensure comfort, freedom of movement and adaptability to different environmental conditions. They may include antistatic clothing, fire- or heat-resistant clothing, waterproof clothing, and more.

Signal Clothing

Signal clothing, or high-visibility clothing, is designed to make workers easily visible, especially in low-light conditions or in environments with vehicular traffic. It includes jackets, vests, pants and hats with reflective stripes and bright colors.

Uniforms: Uniforms are standardized garments that help identify personnel and promote a professional image. They are used in various sectors such as the military, health care, hospitality and education. Uniforms also create a sense of belonging and equality among staff members. Personal Protective Equipment (***): PPE is equipment designed to protect workers from specific physical, chemical or biological hazards. They include a ...

4.2 The prices

The following are prices for some products available in the Italian market. The products are divided according to the economic sector in which they are mainly used.

Healthcare

Industry

Restaurants and Hotels

Construction

4.3 New supply trends

Like the apparel market as a whole,workwear follows trends and guidelines regarding product sustainability, new available technologies, and social responsibility. In the workwear market in particular, other aspects are of particular importance.

Innovation and comfort

There is a trend toward lighter protective clothing, because the more comfortable protective clothing is, the more likely workers are to wear it. The challenge for manufacturers is to balance light weight and comfort with the protection these products provide. To increase comfort, workers focus on fabric characteristics such as softness, breathability, fluffiness, and flexibility.

New technologies and fibers

The need for lighter workwear is driving innovations in the fabrics used and clothing design, with manufacturers working on smarter fabrics for protective clothing. There are significant advances in fabric technology for water protection and chemical resistance. For example, the use of *D printing is making its way into workwear manufacturing and may soon change the way protective clothing components are constructed.

Designing multifunctional clothing

Improvements in fibers and technologies allow companies to produce protective clothing for multiple-hazard environments, which means workers can wear one garment and be protected from simultaneous hazards. For example, treated fabrics are combined with liquid-tight membranes to protect against specific hazards ...

5.1 Regulations

The workwear market, as with many other agricultural products, is regulated by various laws and regulations at both the national and European levels. These laws are concerned with ensuring the quality, safety and proper use of the product. Some of the main laws and regulations for the Italian market are:

Legislative Decree No. ** of ****: lists the general measures to protect the company's safety system, which are then supplemented by the safety measures provided for specific risks or sectors of activity. The choice and maintenance of personal protective equipment are at the sole risk of the employer who, by law, is responsible for ensuring that the operation, control and compliance with hygienic conditions, maintenance and repairs Regulation (***) to be made available on the market, in order to ensure the protection of the health and safety of users. This was implemented by Italy through Legislative Decree *** of **** consolidated in ****.

There are also standards developed by CEN (***), the European Standards Body. These standards allow for a single standard, valid throughout Europe, which individual states must adhere to;

UNI-EN-*** standard UNI EN *****: establishes performance requirements for garments with liquid-tight or splash-proof connections, including articles that protect only parts of the body. UNI EN *****: establishes performance ...

6.1 Segmentation

Italians

Foreign

• Indutex s.p.a
• Cfb s.p.a
• Industrial Starter
• Cbf Balducci
• Grassi s.p.a
• Sir Safety System
• Siggi Group