As India transitions into a manufacturing powerhouse, the importance of personal safety in the workplace has never been more evident. The domestic market for safety equipment, though still in its nascent stages, is set to grow exponentially. Government policies mandating stricter safety regulations, combined with the influx of multinational corporations like Nissan and Hyundai that bring with them a culture of stringent safety compliance, have been key drivers of this growth.
Central to this growth is Acme Safety Wears, a company that has not only adapted to the changing safety landscape but is also setting benchmarks in the personal protective equipment (PPE) industry. From head-to-toe solutions, Acme Safety Wears has been revolutionizing safety standards in industries across India, and their journey is one worth exploring.
Founded in 1995, Acme Safety Wears began as a company that primarily manufactured gloves. Over the years, it has evolved into a full-fledged PPE provider, offering a wide range of products including helmets, harnesses, shoes, and industrial garments under the umbrella of Safewell. A key differentiator for the company has been its commitment to customization, meeting the unique needs of its clients while maintaining high-quality standards.
For instance, Acme Safety Wears developed specialized gloves for industries that require extended durability. By adding reinforcements to parts of the glove that typically wear out the fastest, such as the thumb and index finger, the company’s products last significantly longer, saving companies both time and money. Similarly, its helmets are designed with replaceable inner linings, allowing clients to reuse shells while only replacing worn-out components, further extending the product’s life cycle.
Acme Safety Wears’s focus on customization goes beyond mere product tweaks. Its approach is client-centric, with an eye on cost-efficiency, aiming to not only meet safety standards but to also help clients manage their safety budgets more effectively. In an industry where product theft by workers can be an issue, the company’s innovations have also contributed to reducing such challenges.
Navigating the COVID-19 Crisis
While the COVID-19 pandemic brought about a surge in demand for PPE, it also highlighted a significant gap in India’s healthcare-specific safety equipment manufacturing. Acme Safety Wears, though primarily focused on industrial safety, adapted quickly to supply PPE to hospitals and government institutions during the pandemic.
“However, for us, the bigger challenge has always been beyond the pandemic”, points Aditya Saraf, director.
The company’s focus has remained on producing life-saving equipment, such as heat-resistant gloves and harnesses, that adhere to strict safety standards. The influx of uncertified, low-quality products from countries like China has made it difficult for companies like Acme Safety Wears, which invest heavily in certifications like ISO, CE or European standards, and American standards. Despite these hurdles, the company continues to lead by example, consistently educating its clients on the importance of certified, high-quality safety products.
“Competing with these cheap products is tough, but slowly, the market is moving towards branded, certified products. While the Indian government has taken steps to improve safety standards, progress has been slow. However, I’m optimistic that the growing awareness of workplace safety and the increasing preference for certified products will eventually tip the scales in favor of companies like ours”, explains Aditya.
Safewell Services
From launching helmets 10 years ago, to setting up a shoe factory five years back, and more recently introducing industrial garments, Acme Safety Wears has transformed from a single-product company to one offering comprehensive PPE solutions. The company now caters to a wide range of industries, from steel and construction to electronics and aviation under the Safewell brand.
In 2020, Acme Safety Wears took another leap by launching a sub-brand, Safewell Services, which provides clients with a one-stop solution for all their safety needs. Whether it is a breath analyzer or fire protection equipment, the company aims to provide its clients with the best safety solutions on a single platform. This diversification has allowed Acme Safety Wears to tap into various industries, reducing its dependence on the automotive sector, which was once its primary market.
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Never Out of Stock
Looking ahead, Acme Safety Wears has ambitious plans for growth, both within India and internationally, including expanding into the eastern part of India, which is currently an underserved market. The company also has its sights set on international expansion, leveraging its long-standing export business to penetrate new markets in Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
Acme Safety Wears’s commitment to staying ahead of the curve is evident in its participation in international trade fairs, where it keeps a close eye on global trends and innovations. “We attend around 12-15 fairs worldwide each year. This helps us stay informed about new developments in the industry, which we then bring back to India”, adds Aditya.
With a robust supply chain that includes eight warehouses and a ‘never out of stock’ policy, Acme Safety Wears ensures that its products are available to clients within 72 hours. This focus on logistics and customer service, combined with their head-to-toe safety solutions, sets the company apart from its competitors. As the PPE market in India continues to evolve, Acme Safety Wears stands at the forefront of this transformation. Through its commitment to quality, customization, and innovation, the company is not only raising safety standards in India but also shaping the future of the industry.
Aditya Saraf, Director at Acme Safety Wears Ltd.
Aditya Saraf, Director at Acme Safety Wears Ltd., champions workplace safety with the 'Safewell' brand, offering premium safety helmets, gloves, go gles, and more. Under his leadership, Acme prioritizes high-quality materials and advanced technology to ensure industrial safety standards are met, protecting workers across industries in hazardous environments.
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