uvex continues to see Germany as a strong investment location

uvex is continuously expanding its strong position in the field of occupational health and safety. The consistent quality strategy of the Fürth based family company includes new processes, innovative technologies and a high level of environmental friendliness. In addition, the “Made in Germany” production is the basis for further internationalisation. At the world’s largest trade fair for safety, security and health at work, the A+A in Düsseldorf, the uvex safety group will be presenting over 70 innovations, including the innovative uvex i-performance product system. Following intensive development and test phases, the new products will be presented at the A+A from 5 to 8 November. The area of occupational health and safety is the mainstay of the uvex Group and accounts for 72% of its turnover.

”We want innovation and quality. The consequence is that we develop our products ourselves along with the required production processes,” says Stefan Brück, CEO of the sub-group uvex safety group, as he sums up the strategy of the world market leader in occupational health and safety. Investments in modern production facilities in Germany and Europe, productivity enhancement through innovative processes and highly qualified staff guarantee the consistent expansion of the occupational health and safety division. uvex safety performed well in the last financial year with sustained growth and achieved turnover of EUR 248 million, which corresponds to an increase year on year of 4%.

The uvex safety group is planning further growth of 5% for the current financial year. At the same time, the focus of the family business will be on the continual internationalisation of the Group: “The global market offers us considerable opportunities. Therefore, regions outside Europe will continue to be at the core of our international growth strategy,” emphasises Michael Winter, Managing Partner of the uvex Group. A key market for health and safety at work is to be the Near and Middle East and, of course, Asia. Winter sums up by saying that Germany will remain a very strong innovation centre for uvex and, at the same time, the best export basis for internationalisation, as regards both its safety and sports divisions.

The company uvex is committed to producing at German and European sites and extended production in the last financial year. As a result of a new flood cell at the Fürth site, a completely new manufacturing process has been introduced that will enable the production of new coating systems. Simultaneously, a new cooling system has been installed, with which the energy output, CO2 emissions and noise emissions will be substantially reduced. In Lüneburg uvex safety is extending the existing site by 15,000 m², in order to intensify the production of safety gloves. This will lead to around 50 new jobs in the medium term. uvex is the only manufacturer in this line of business that mainly produces in Germany and Europe.

The uvex safety glove division won the Top Innovator award 2013 for small and medium-sized businesses. According to the jury, the Lüneburg site is the “hidden champion” of the safety glove industry, which has established itself on the world market with its highly innovative “Made in Germany” products. Recently the uvex1 safety shoe model scooped three prizes, namely a “Focus in Silver” for outstanding design quality and a “Red Dot Design Award” for the perfect combination of work and leisure shoe. uvex1 has also been awarded the EU Ecolabel. This label assesses the whole of the materials value chain as well as the impact on the environment during production.

“Modern occupational health and safety systems are having to do more and more. They are intended to protect people who are involved in intensive physical work, but, at the same time, not impose any additional strain and not restrict the user,” says uvex safety CEO Brück, outlining the challenges. And Michael Winter, Managing Partner of the Fürth based family company, explains that the uvex i-performance product system defines occupational health and safety in a new dimension. “Analogous to our guiding principle of protecting people, it offers the customary protection. However, at the same time, it gives wearers greater scope in their physiological processes. And we can prove it!”