Workwear Uniform
Workwear Uniform Group is the UK’s largest independent supplier of workwear, PPE and corporate uniforms, trusted by world-renowned brands to supply high-quality workwear. Their organisations span design to delivery and end-of-life recycling, serving organisations that require scale, efficiency and environmental responsibility.
When it comes to logistics, Workwear Uniform Group require a partner who can support their operational complexity and their growing commitment to sustainability. This is how a partnership with Baxter Freight formed.
- Solution: Sustainable Freight Network: REMOVE, Aviate, Navigate
- Product: Workplace uniform
A Relationship built on Service and Trust
Following our initial review of Workwear Uniform’s Sea and air freight requirements, we undertook a wider review of their logistics requirements and were able to uncover several ways to optimise their supply chain in line with their overall business goals.
Due to understanding more about Workwear Uniform as a business, it highlighted opportunities to add value beyond the quote and offering service insights that proved decisive in winning the shipment and thus a strong basis to grow as a logistics partner.
Previously, Workwear Uniform Group worked with other suppliers, who focused on an affordable price. However, inexpensive doesn’t always mean cost-effective. This brought frequent service issues, including miscommunication, lack of transparency and recurring problems with sustainability reporting.
Baxter Freight offered a different approach: first providing service quality, whilst adding further value through sustainability.
Culture Rooted in Sustainability
Workwear Uniform Group’s sustainability values were already woven into the fabric of their business (literally!). They are aligned with key initiatives like the Better Cotton initiative; many customer ranges are manufactured using sustainable, natural and/or recycled polyester. Recycled polyester has the double benefit of not only preventing plastic from going to landfill, but its manufacture also produces fewer CO2 emissions than the production of virgin polyester. Finished garments are packed into either recyclable or biodegradable bags, and redundant fabric has been utilised to make reusable shopping bags and other innovations. Their newly automated warehouse had already reduced operational emissions significantly; the automated warehouse has reduced the amount of space needed to store the garments, allowing them to merge four warehouses into one, reducing the amount of emissions generated by four separate sites and making the logistics more efficient.
By 2023, their Managing Director and the leadership team began looking at how to apply these principles to their global supply chain. The goal: reduce logistics emissions while maintaining service continuity.
Tailored Freight Solutions
Part of Workwear Uniform Group’s supply chain includes imports from China and Bangladesh, with a mix of sea and air freight. With our Navigate and Aviate solutions, we provide low-risk strategies to ensure the highest efficiency every step of the way.
Our air freight solution, Aviate, provides the speed and reliability Workwear Uniform needs to meet tight lead times and uphold customer trust. It ensures fast, consistent delivery for time-sensitive orders, supporting their reputation and service commitments.
Navigate, our sea freight option, offers a cost-effective and lower-carbon way to move goods in bulk. With dedicated sailings and greater control, it helps minimise risk and aligns with Workwear Uniform’s sustainability goals.
Carbon Smart Logistics
Sustainability led to the relationship between Baxter Freight and Workwear Uniform becoming a strategic partnership, as we were able to add value by ensuring fast and efficient movement of their goods, which is a critical component of their supply chain operations.
However, with our 3-step approach to sustainability (report, reduce, remove), we were able to collaborate with them to transform and optimise their logistics operations to support their decarbonisation goals.
First, we started by reporting their emissions using accurate, GLEC-aligned measurements to discover operational inefficiencies and create a baseline to reduce their scope 3 emissions. By identifying efficiency opportunities, we began reducing emissions and looking at route optimisation.
Workwear Uniform is using carbon certificates to remove additional carbon emissions without disrupting operations. This approach enables them to progress toward their internal sustainability goals while continuing to invest in sustainable infrastructure. It bridges the gap between maintaining supply chain reliability and driving demand and investment in lower-emission transport solutions.
The impact:
- Centralised logistics with Baxter Freight utilising a single point of contact to save time and generate efficiency.
- Book & Claim model, allowing them to reduce and remove logistics scope 3 emissions without operational disruption.
- Seamless integration into their existing supply chain.
- Full scope 3 carbon reporting to support transparency and strategic planning.
Partnerships made simple
A critical element of our product and this strategy is emission Removal. For that, we partner with Carboninsets to achieve a verified and multimodal Book and Claim solution.
Carboninsets enables our customers to neutralise their emissions by purchasing carbon reduction certificates or Environmental Attribute Certificates (EACs). This enables our customers to meet environmental goals, even when alternative fuels are not available on their current lanes due to the lack of low-carbon infrastructure within their supply chain.
For removal, Carboninsets partners with 123Carbon and is independently verified by Normec Verifavia, accredited under ISO 17029. Their third-party audits ensure transparency, prevent double accounting, and provide businesses with a reliable, verifiable path to emissions reduction.
- “We’re excited to support Baxter Freight in their decarbonization journey by offering access to high-quality SAF, marine biofuels, green rail and road HVO through the insetting instrument. A transparent, trustworthy and efficient way to finance the green revolution in supply chain – Maria Lacalle Muls (Head of Customer Decarbonization at Carboninsets”
- “We believe Baxter Freight is a great example of what a real partner should be. A real partner shares our mission and dedication to accelerating supply chain decarbonization. Always seeking to educate and share their knowledge with their customer, towards higher loyalty and impact.” – Carboninsets
Through powerful partnerships between Carboninsets, Baxter Freight and Workwear Uniform, we are removing emissions within our customers’ current supply chain and helping generate demand and investment in lower-emission transport. This contributes to achieving the goal of carbon-neutral transport in the future.
Leading by example
Whilst many companies are only just beginning to assess the environmental impact of their supply chain, Workwear Uniform Group is already ahead of the curve.
With sustainability embedded within their culture, and taking actionable steps ahead of impending regulations, Workwear Uniform Group and Baxter Freight have been able to align their need for service excellence whilst meeting ongoing sustainability goals – without compromise.
Ed Blackburn – Workwear Uniform’s Account Manager
Ed Blackburn is Workwear Uniform’s dedicated account manager, who is there to assist with any requests they have – no matter how big or small – Ed is there to support his customers and build upon the experience of our Baxter Freight team behind him.
If you are looking to streamline your supply chain and would like to know more about our flexible solutions, please contact Ed today!
SUSTAINABLE FREIGHT NETWORK
Developed by Baxter Freight, the Sustainable Freight Network is a means of making meaningful progress toward carbon-smart logistics.
It is built up of three core elements:
REPORT
REDUCE
