It can seem daunting when embarking on the task of outfitting a group with uniforms. There's always so many ideas & opinions which can often be hard to manage & can sometimes derail the project. Before you get started check out our top 5 things to consider when outfitting a large group. We'll help you get started on the right path.
1. Size range
Large groups of people generally means a large range of sizes - a fact which must be taken into account when selecting uniforms for your business. One of the great things about uniform manufacturers is that unlike retail brands they create clothing for all shapes & sizes in the same style. However, it’s important to ensure the styles you have selected include this broad range of sizes. Even if the group you are currently outfitting doesn’t encompass a large range of sizes, if you are planning on keeping the same uniform for a while you should consider this in case of future staff turnover.
2. Garment availability
If you’ve spent a lot of money outfitting a large group of people in stylish new uniforms only to come back 6 months later to reorder & find out that the style is no longer available, you’re going to be pretty annoyed to say the least. Save yourself the disappointment by checking the ongoing availability of your selected style prior to purchasing. Unlike retail brands which tend to operate seasonally, uniform suppliers usually create styles that are intended to be produced for a long time. However, these suppliers do sometimes produce seasonal ranges & unpopular items may be at risk of being discontinued, so it’s important to check that the garments chosen will be available for the foreseeable future.
3. Garment suitability
If you are outfitting a large group of people that perform different functions within a business, it’s likely that the same clothing will not be suitable for everyone. Therefore, just as you should consider the availability & sizes of your garments, you should also make sure you choose suitable clothing for each department, ie. those working in an office setting will likely be dressed in business shirts, while people working in a factory or warehouse may find polo shirts more practical.
4. Creating an easy reordering process
Whether you choose to create order forms for your staff to fill out, or give them the exact garment styles required to place their own orders with your uniform supplier, you should have a clear reordering process in place. This is especially important for large businesses as garment reordering will likely be frequent.
Similarly, if there are multiple departments in your company that require different uniforms, having a clear ordering process can help to outline what each person needs for their role to ensure everyone gets the correct garments.
5. Ensure your supplier can fulfil specific requests
Whether it’s providing multi-site distribution or individual packing to make everything that little bit easier, ensure your supplier offers the services your company requires before placing an order. If your employees are spread across Australia & you find out after placing your order that your supplier is only able to send your order to one locations, you may end up wasting a lot of time & money to get the items where they need to be - an issue that could have been avoided with a simple question prior to ordering.
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