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News and Updates

All the latest news and updates from the UK's leading supplier of safety clothing and equipment

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Arco celebrates 50 years of Health and Safety at Work Act in Westminster

20 December 2024

Arco, the UK's leading safety experts, recently hosted an event in Westminster to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

The event brought together key figures from industry, government, and leading safety organisations, with Arco chairman Thomas Martin, along with MPs Julie Minns and Emma Hardy, leading a thought-provoking discussion over dinner at the Houses of Parliament.

The gathering included leaders of safety bodies such as the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF), NEBOSH, IOSH, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), and the Trades Union Congress (TUC), alongside other distinguished guests.

Arco's chief commercial officer, Simon Allan-Brooks, also contributed to the conversation.

After the event, Simon said: "It was a great evening surrounded by true passionate leaders, who celebrated the visionaries who enacted Health and Safety at Work Act, the professionals who uphold it and the continued protection and prosperity it brings to us all."

The Health and Safety at Work Act has played a pivotal role in dramatically improving workplace safety over the last half-century. Non-fatal workplace injuries have fallen by over 80 per cent, and work-related fatalities have decreased from 651 to 138.

However, as Thomas Martin said during the discussions: "That is still too high."

As well as celebrating this milestone in workplace safety, the event reinforced Arco's commitment to working with government and stakeholders across various sectors to create safer working environments and keep people safe at work.

Thomas said: "At Arco, we will continue to help shape the UK's safety agenda to ensure people go home safe from work every night for the next 50 years and beyond. We are committed to working with our partners to keep today's, and tomorrow's, workplaces safe."

Find out more about Arco's commitment to shaping the UK's safety agenda.

Arco's Festive Fundraisers Deliver Thousands of Pounds for Good Causes

17 December 2024

In the run-up to Christmas, Arco colleagues, customers and suppliers have been contributing their time, efforts and money to a host of well-deserving causes, raising thousands of pounds and enriching the lives of those most in need across the UK.

Christmas raffle for Macmillan Cancer Support

This year, Arco's annual Christmas raffle raised more than £6,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support- the company's longest-standing charity partner. More than 30 prizes were up for grabs in the raffle, donated from across Arco's network of vendors, partners and colleagues. A big thank you to everyone who donated.

Cash for Kids: Missions Christmas Appeal

In support of Cash for Kids - a charity is dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged children and young people - Arco joined the Mission Christmas campaign, the largest Christmas gift appeal in the UK. Arco colleagues donated items and signed up to be Mission Christmas volunteers, sorting and packing gifts to help make sure children living in poverty wake up to presents on Christmas Day.

Showcasing seasonal creativity

In December, young relatives of Arco colleagues were invited to take part in the company's Christmas card competition. Showing their creative streaks, Eva Lindop, 13, and Willow Mallinson, 5, each won a pack of 12 Christmas cards of their design, a family fun day voucher, and a £100 donation from Arco to a charity of their choice. Willow's chosen charity was Hull Food Bank and Eva chose Dove House Hospice.

Combined with other community and charity activities throughout 2024, the seasonal efforts of Arco's colleagues reflect the company's commitment to having a positive impact on people's lives.

Find out more about Arco's corporate social responsibility initiatives.


  • Arco accepts You Bet! challenge

    09 December 2024

    Working at height specialists from Arco Professional Safety Services have provided expert safety support for the return of classic ITV game show You Bet!

    The reboot of the show, presented by Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern, features members of the public showing off their extraordinary skills, with celebrity panellists betting on whether each contestant can complete their chosen challenge.

    The first episode, which aired on Saturday night on ITV1, featured a "Climber vs Car" challenge, with gym instructor Mila Stanzani scaling the exterior wall of a multi-storey car park while professional driver Michelle Westby raced her to the top and back down again.

    Arco's team of working at height experts, led by Mike Clayton, were on hand at the new Shinfield Studios in Reading to help ensure the safety of everyone involved in the challenge.

    The team provided advice to production company Rollercoaster Television on making the climb safe, provided the necessary safety equipment, assisted with protecting a camera operator and managed Mila's climbing rope to ensure her safety during the challenge.

    Mike Clayton, technical lead (working at height) at Arco Professional Safety Services, said:

    "It was an amazing experience for the team to be involved in this challenge for the reboot of You Bet!

    "Throughout the years, we've been trusted to carry out working at height training and supervision for some thrilling and critical projects, but this was one of the most exciting we have been a part of in recent times. Mila took to the task with a great amount of confidence and the team at ITV were great to work with."

    Sarah Boyce, Head of Production for Rollercoaster, said:

    "In the early planning stages it was clear we needed experts in working at heights. Arco, being an ITV vetted contractor, were immediately recommended by our inhouse health and safety team.

    "They went on to provide expert climbing knowledge and clear advice on how to make this challenge work. They quickly proved to us - and Mila - that they could be relied on 100% and were a big part of the success of this spectacular challenge."

    To find out if Mila won her challenge, watch Episode 1 of You Bet! on demand on ITVX.

    Find out more about Arco's expert working at height services

    Read more
  • Arco Slashes Carbon Footprint by 21% While Growing Responsible Choice Sales

    02 December 2024

    Arco, the UK and Ireland's leading safety expert, has reduced its carbon emissions by 21.2 per cent in a single year, its biggest annual decrease to date.

    The reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions substantially outperformed Arco's 5.5 per cent target, and is a significant step towards the company's goal of net zero emissions by 2045.

    The record carbon reduction is one of several significant achievements highlighted in Arco's 2024 Sustainability Report, released today.

    The 2024 report shows considerable progress in the company's sustainability strategy, A Safe Tomorrow, which sets out Arco's aims to have a positive impact on people and the planet, while helping customers meet their own sustainability goals

    Initiatives such as the installation of solar panels on Arco buildings have helped the company reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and cut its carbon footprint over the past year.

    Focusing on efficient use of water in its global operations has also seen Arco reduce its water use by 22.6 per cent.

    In 2025, Arco will take this commitment to carbon reduction further by setting science-based targets in line with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), including for Scope 3 emissions related to manufacturing, transportation and end-of-life product management.

    Responsible Choice

    Importantly, Arco reduced carbon and water use while increasing sales of its Responsible Choice ranges of PPE and workwear by 200 per cent. These products feature verifiable sustainability claims or independent certifications, making it easier for businesses to buy more responsible products.

    Arco also hit its annual target for use of "Better Textiles". These more sustainable textiles made up 10 per cent of Arco's total textile sales in FY24, and the company aims to increase this to 17.5 per cent by 2025, aligned with The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) Textiles 2030 initiative.

    Circularity and digital innovation

    Working with customers and stakeholders, Arco is driving product circularity, developing closed-loop systems, expanding recycling and take-back schemes and providing garment life-extension services, such as laundry and repair.

    The company has also invested in its digital capabilities to improve sustainability, utilising data-driven insights and embedding traceability and transparency in its Responsible hi-vis and workwear ranges.

    Less waste and packaging

    Arco has continued to reduce packaging and waste, removing single-use plastics and moving to more plain cardboard packaging. In FY24, the company recycled about 90 per cent of cardboard, plastic, clothing and building waste produced at its premises.

    Commitment to communities

    Activity such as volunteering and other support for charities saw Arco generate £39.3 million of social value in FY24, including £4 million in Hull and East Yorkshire. The company has continued to support long-standing partners such as Macmillan Cancer Support and in May 2024 launched a new partnership with The Mental Health Foundation.

    Guy Bruce, chief executive officer at Arco, said:

    "At Arco, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. From the energy powering our buildings, to the materials that make up our products, to the way we work with our suppliers, we're always thinking of new ways to help secure a safer tomorrow.

    "As Experts in Safety, Arco's core purpose has always been to keep people safe at work. And with a clear commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, we truly believe we can help secure a safer tomorrow for people, businesses and the planet."

    Download the Arco Sustainability Report 2024 and read more at arco.co.uk/sustainability

    Read more
  • Arco Announces Return to Profit and Ambitious Growth Plans

    19 November 2024

    Arco Ltd, the UK and Ireland's leading safety expert, has announced a return to operating profit, with financial results ahead of target, one year into its 'Destination 2030' transformation plan.

    The Hull-based company’s annual results, published today, show increased profits of £4.4m for the year ended 30 June 2024 (FY24), with the business making a pre-tax profit of £1.3m, excluding exceptional items, compared with a pre-tax loss of £3.1m in the previous year. 

    The turnaround in profit was achieved despite sales being 6 per cent lower, as the company focused on quality of earnings and improving gross profit margin. Arco achieved its highest gross profit margin in five years at 23.9% and ended the year with a strong net cash position of £3.5m. 

    'Stronger and more disciplined business'

    Guy Bruce, chief executive of Arco, said the results demonstrated the effectiveness of the transformation programme in enhancing profitability while driving improvements in areas such as customer service, choice, sustainability and business efficiency.

    “One year into our Destination 2030 plan, we have delivered much of what we set out to do in the initial ‘Fix the Foundations’ phase, with financial results ahead of target”, said Guy.

    “Arco today is a stronger and more disciplined business than it was a year ago, with improved margins, a healthier cash position and extended capabilities to serve customers effectively as we execute the next phase, ‘Build for Growth’.”

    Guy said he was proud of the work done to execute the improvement plans with “determination and rigour” and in line with the company’s core purpose of keeping people safe at work.

    Improved customer experience

    Arco’s annual report for FY24 outlines how the company has improved customer experience through better service metrics and product availability, employed data-driven decisions to improve margins, and made more efficient use of capital, resulting in its stronger cash position.

    Arco has also strengthened its supplier relationships, working with fewer suppliers, but more closely, to develop a proposition that is better suited to its customers’ needs.

    The company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility has seen £38.5m of social value generated in FY24, including more than £4m in Hull and East Yorkshire. Arco employees have supported numerous community and charity organisations with biodiversity, environmental and other projects, using the two paid volunteering days the business lets them take each year.

    Arco has also continued to focus on sustainability, investing significantly in renewable power, doubling sales of its "Responsible Choice" product ranges and retaining its Gold award from EcoVadis, the world's largest provider of business sustainability ratings, placing Arco in the top 5% of businesses assessed.

    Looking ahead

    In FY25, Arco is moving into the “Build for Growth” phase of its transformation journey, in which it plans to double investment, enhance its customer value propositions, website and e-commerce capabilities, and introduce innovative new products with “category-defining” sustainability credentials.

    The company is planning further investment in its Arco Professional Safety Services business, introducing new facilities and training propositions to strengthen its market-leading position as a provider of joined-up safety solutions.

    As well as investing in organic growth, Arco is also seeking to grow through inorganic routes and is actively looking for businesses that would make suitable additions to the organisation.

    Guy said: “Focus areas for potential acquisitions have been identified and we’re excited to explore opportunities that present a strong match to those criteria.”

    Arco will also soon begin work on a new customer discovery centre in Hull, which will showcase the company’s customer value proposition as Experts in Safety, including its wide range of products and services and independently accredited product assurance laboratory.

    Guy said: “We are excited about the progress we will make towards long-term growth this year, and the continued development of an even stronger Arco business.

    "While our business is in a strong position, we are mindful of the challenges ahead. The impact of the Government's recent budget will undoubtedly put additional pressure on businesses, including ours. 

    “As we move into the next phase of our strategy, we will do so in context of the changing economic environment, seizing opportunities to grow whilst maintaining financial resilience."

    Arco FY24 financial summary (year ended 30 June 2024)

    • Pre-tax profit of £1.3m before exceptional items (FY23: £3.1m loss) 
      • Exceptional items of £8.4m related to business transformation
    • Further improvement in gross profit margin at 23.9% (FY23: 22.0%) 
    • Strong net cash position at year-end of £3.5m (FY23: £2.4m) 
    • Revenue £288.1m (FY23: £306.7m)  
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