JCB and Arvind have entered into a partnership to introduce protective, smart, comfortable and stylish ready-to-wear industrial uniforms. This partnership is the first of its kind to offer co-branded protective wear and industrial uniforms for India’s workforce. The product range will be made available through JCB India and Arvind’s distribution network and point-of-sale locations across the country.
JCB India Ltd. is a leading manufacturer of earthmoving and construction equipment in India. With five state-of-the-art factories in India, it now turns out over 50 products in eight product lines there are not only sold in India but have been exported to over 90 countries.
JCB has the largest dealer network in the construction equipment industry with over 60 dealers and 650 outlets spread throughout India. JCB machines have been used to build world-class infrastructure in India for close to four decades. JCB today provides a full range of infrastructure equipment solutions for customers.
Arvind is a $1.7 billion conglomerate with interests in textiles, branded apparel and retail, real estate, engineering, advanced materials, environmental solutions, omni-channel commerce and telecom. Arvind is an integrated solutions provider in textiles with strong fibre to fashion capabilities for a global customer base. It is also a design powerhouse churning innovative concepts and generating intellectual property.
Industrial uniforms have become essential in view of the increasing focus on occupational safety and health (OSH) and regulatory compliance in India. Stringent Government norms, growing awareness of safety regulations, globalization of domestic companies, and the growing number of MNCs setting up manufacturing facilities in India have contributed to the increase in demand for safety-compliant and comfortable industrial uniforms.
While the OSH market is growing, there is limited choice in branded ready-to-wear industrial uniforms in the country. The partnership between Arvind and JCB India will unlock new opportunities in this market segment by offering best-in-class products for core sectors like healthcare, pharmaceuticals, iron & steel manufacturing, mining, automobiles, Defence, armed forces, and construction, among others.
Arvind will complement JCB India’s safety shoes business with its value-added protective wear and personal protective equipment (PPE) product basket, which includes coveralls, dungarees, rain wear and balaclavas. These products are fire, chemical and shock-resistant, and possess other such properties that serve to protect factory workers, fire-fighters, construction crew, soldiers, healthcare professionals, and security personnel from the harsh operating environments that their respective jobs entail.
Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Vipin Sondhi, MD and CEO, JCB India Ltd. said: “Safety is of paramount importance for us at JCB. It does not get limited to our machines on construction sites only, but is an overarching philosophy. We are committed to introducing products which enhance safety and protection and our partnership with Arvind Ltd. gives us an exciting opportunity to do just that in the area of apparel. In India’s rapidly growing occupational safety and health market, we look forward to working together to create a market presence for value-added protective wear and personal protective equipment,”
Mr. Ashish Kumar, CEO – Advanced Materials Division & Arvind Envisol, Arvind Ltd., said: “We are transforming our business quickly through technologies and partnerships that enable us to explore and create new opportunities. Extending textile manufacturing beyond fashion and into areas like safety and protection is our main concern now. This partnership will leverage JCB’s market presence with Arvind’s textile manufacturing capabilities to provide industrial wear that will meet the highest standards of safety and protection.”