Cottam and Brookes Engineering supply engine tooling for commercial maintenance repair overhaul shops nationwide and abroad. Using a responsible workwear supplier ensures workers' safety while using machines to create precision-engineered products. Carys Edmunds, Business Development and Marketing Manager explains how proper laundry procedures help adhere to health and safety regulations, retain workwear garment protective qualities, and keep the Cottam and Brookes Engineering workforce safe.
Located in Trecenydd, Caerphilly – just North of Cardiff, Cottam and Brookes Engineering designs and manufactures precision parts in a range of aluminium and specialist alloys. Working to the finest of tolerances, they operate machining for CNC milling and turning, fabrication, and spark erosion. Cottam and Brookes Engineering is a globally recognised fabrication company that serves a diverse customer base. They specialise in reverse engineering obsolete machinery parts.
How it all started
Cottam and Brookes Engineering was founded in 1989 starting from modest origins. Initially, the family business concentrated on producing small parts, but as word spread they gained a reputation for their dependable service, they began to undertake more complex and larger projects. Today, Cottam and Brookes Engineering is a beacon for the engineering industry not only in Wales but also worldwide. The company's skilled engineers, state-of-the-art equipment, and strong leadership enable them to consistently deliver high-quality products and services to their customers.
A responsible employer
Understanding the importance of ensuring that the workers at Cottam and Brookes Engineering remain comfortable and safe throughout their working day is imperative to the continual growth of the business. Health and safety regulations dictate that wearing the correct workwear garment is paramount to the well-being of any engineer working within the fabrication industry.
It is crucial for the management team to prioritise the comfort and safety of the workers at Cottam and Brookes Engineering to ensure the ongoing success of the business. Under the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at Work (Amendment) Regulations that came into force in April 2022, employers must ensure their workers have sufficient information, instruction and training on using PPE. This means that engineers working in the fabrication industry must not only be provided with appropriate workwear to protect their well-being but must also be stored, maintained, and used properly. Given the engineering team's requirements, it is also imperative that the garments are durable and comfortable to wear throughout the day. Health & Safety Executive inspectors already include a PPE assessment as part of their routine inspections. Employers can ensure they are meeting PPE regulations, keeping their employees safe, and passing inspections by the Health and Safety Executive by working with a professional workwear rental and laundry service. Engineers are often exposed to extreme conditions during various procedures. Using the correct laundry procedures to ensure that the garment's protective properties are retained is just as important as specifying the correct garment for the job. Doing so will maintain the garment's integrity, ultimately protecting workers from harmful elements that are part and parcel of their particular job role. Using a workwear laundry service will provide reliable and effective solutions for maintaining a safe work environment, allowing employers to focus on their core operations and maximise productivity.
The Challenge
Carys Edmunds manages a team of 10 highly skilled engineers. To effectively and safely carry out their customers' intricate fabrication requirements, all employees must have the correct personal protective equipment (PPE), including their workwear uniforms.
Carys was looking for a supplier that could provide attentive customer support and deliver on its promises. For this reason, Cottam and Brookes Engineering decided to align with CLEAN as their preferred workwear service provider.
CLEAN supplies Cottam and Brookes Engineering with a full range of clothing for their engineers, including boilersuits, trousers, and jackets. Each garment islabelled with the Cottam and Brookes Engineering logo and has the specific features needed to keep its wearers safe, such as fire retardant or arc protection properties. After use, the dirty/worn clothing is professionally laundered, quality-checked for compliance, and repaired if necessary before being neatly packed and returned to Cottam and Brookes on a regular, reliable schedule.
Onboarding the right way
Change can be daunting. At CLEAN, we understand this all too well. Being prepared for any eventuality sets CLEAN apart from other laundry suppliers across the UK. This allowed for a seamless transition from Cottam and Brookes’ original workwear supply service. Once the terms and conditions of the contract were approved, a dedicated account manager was assigned to the company to handle any unforeseen circumstances.
Carys and her team were guided each step of the way and reassured through regular communication that they had made the correct choice to align with CLEAN.
The Result
Carys Edmunds explained that the workshop's main function is to conduct detailed engineering operations to provide quality service according to customers' requirements. She chose to work with CLEAN not only because of their reputation for providing reliable and professional services but also because of their enthusiasm and positive attitude.
"We understand how important garments are to our employees and their safety. So using CLEAN as a laundry service ensures that the garments are cleaned and washed correctly."
Carys Edmunds
Cottam and Brookes Engineering
