Recruitment firm ventures into the workwear market
Newport-headquartered recruitment company Smart Solutions is launching a new personal protective equipment (PPE) and workwear company.
The launch of Armadillo Supplies follows outsourced services provider Smart Solutions’ purchase of a 50% stake in the PPE business Celtic Industrial Supplies.
Celtic Industrial Supplies was started by a former Smart Solutions director, Shane Heath, and his business partner Terry Daniels.
Following the rebrand, Armadillo Supplies has moved to a larger, 5,500 sq ft premises in Brynmawr and invested £100,000 in new embroidery equipment.
“With the importance of work safety and PPE use ever clearer, and stringent government regulations about health and safety in place, Armadillo Supplies represents a significant opportunity for Smart Solutions to increase the services we offer our existing and new clients,” said Nathan Bowles, CEO of Smart Solutions and nonexecutive director of Armadillo Supplies.
“It’s an exciting time for us, not least because Shane was previously a director and shareholder at Smart Solutions. Good relationships are key to the success of any joint venture and I’m confident that we have the right team in place to realise our ambitious plans for Armadillo Supplies.”
According to the Personal Protective Equipment Market: Global Forecast to 2022, the global PPE market was valued at US $42.67bn in 2017 and is projected to reach US $58.34bn by 2022.
Armadillo Supplies, which currently employs 10 people, is already supplying PPE and workwear products to businesses throughout the UK from Scotland to London, with plans to further grow its client base.
Danielle Hall has been seconded from her role of operations manager at Smart Solutions to general manager of Armadillo Supplies.
“Joining forces with Smart Solutions offers a fantastic opportunity to combine our strengths,” said Mr Heath, director at Armadillo Supplies Ltd.
“We have a shared history, excellent product knowledge and a thorough understanding of what companies and workers need from PPE and workwear.
“While a business in its own right, Armadillo Supplies will have access to Smart Solutions’ back office support, including its IT knowledge and its skilled staff.”