Setting up shop

North Safety Products Africa has officially launched its first personal protective equipment (PPE) store in Isando.

North CEO Craig Garvie points out that the primary aim of the North retail stores is accessibility. The stores allow customers to walk in and walk out with the products that they require. “We want to make our products freely available and provide customers with choice, while ensuring that our pricing remains competitive.”

North manufactures a significant amount of the products that it stocks in store, which Garvie believes gives the company a competitive advantage in the industry. “It definitely gives us a pricing advantage compared to some competitors that only resell products. We do, however, also stock other quality brands to ensure that customers are provided with the best selection at the most competitive prices.”

The company’s products include; respiratory equipment; hand protection; hearing protection; eye, head and face protection; height safety; protective clothing and footwear.

North also offers the option of on-site stores that are administered by North’s inventory control system. North’s export manager Hayley Arnesen adds: “The inventory control system allows the client to measure and control PPE issues by individual, thereby reducing expenditure on PPE and providing valuable data on consumption by: plant, employee, job position, cost centre and item. It also eliminates the need for costly stockholding, as customers pay only for what they use.”