Construction & Civil Engineering Issue 231 - October 2026 | Page 30

Cover Story _______________________________________________________________________________________________________

For those working on construction and civil engineering sites, the right personal protective equipment( PPE) is the last line of defence. Not only is it essential for safety, but garments must be comfortable enough to wear through a long shift. That is the exact thinking behind two major moves from Beeswift, one of the UK’ s leading providers of PPE, technical workwear, and safety solutions. Established in the Black Country in 1981, Beeswift has grown from a regional PPE supplier for businesses across the West Midlands to a UK-wide provider of safety solutions, including safety footwear, protective clothing, hand protection, respiratory protection, face and eye protection, and specialist safety products for high-risk environments. Following its acquisition by the Gerber Goldschmidt Group in 1986, the business began expanding both its product portfolio and customer base, and it now operates across Europe – although its roots remain firmly in the UK. Today, its customers span construction, manufacturing, logistics, utilities, infrastructure, public sector, and industrial markets.

Brand partnerships
The company has recently secured exclusive UK distribution rights for New Balance Safety – described by CEO Darren Washbourne as a partnership it is incredibly proud of.“ We’ ve had conversations with several brands over the years, but New Balance stood out due to its commitment to innovation, performance, and comfort,” explains Darren.“ Since our launch in summer, demand has exceeded all expectations. Forward orders, customer interest, and container commitments have been exceptionally strong, demonstrating
▲ Darren Washbourne
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