PPE Insight By Martyn Lamb Fire Service Marketing Manager, Dräger

What are the key trends, developments and drivers of growth in the European above-the-neck PPE market and why?

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has come a long way since the early years of tough leather fire helmets from centuries ago. Our cutting edge products are in line with the changing demands of the UK market, where the complexities of modern industrialised life have introduced new hazards and materials burn hotter than ever before. We provide above-the-neck PPE products to an ever-expanding range of industries, not just the fire service − basically to any industry where employers need to protect their staff who work in hazardous environment.

There is a greater emphasis on more efficient, economical and effective performance. Dräger developed the first ever breathing apparatus more than 50 years ago and we have since undertaken decades of research and development, together with a stringent evaluation and assessment process, looking closely at the needs of PPE wearers who face life threatening scenarios on a day-to-day basis.

It is Dräger’s belief that safety technology for anyone who needs to wear PPE in their equipment should make the job safer and more effective, as well as be lightweight and comfortable enough to allow them to concentrate on the job at hand.

In this climate of tougher safety regulations and economic cut backs, products are increasingly designed to withstand the test of time, keeping people protected year upon year with long service life and variety of applications − meaning that they are ultimately a cost effective solution and result in greater efficiencies at work. I am certain this trend will continue and that PPE will become ever more innovative − protective, safe, but streamlined and with the wearer’s comfort in mind.

How have you incorporated these trends into your range?

What would you say is your greatest innovation in the last five years?

Most definitely, it would be the HPS 7000, which was launched in 2013. Dräger has been one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of breathing apparatus and PPE equipment for over 50 years, but this new helmet marked an exciting expansion to our extensive portfolio.

Designed with the safety and comfort of the wearer in mind − whatever their shape or size − the helmet offers protection all-round the head and face, protecting these vital body parts against a variety of impacts including sharp objects, flames and extreme heat − enabling him or her to enter hazardous and dangerous situations with complete peace of mind, as well as optimum comfort.

The Dräger HPS 7000 represented a new generation of fire helmet and demonstrates our true commitment to above-the-neck PPE. The use of high tech materials and ergonomic design ensures the wearer optimum safety and comfort in any situation.

How competitive is the above-the-neck PPE market and how are you distinguishing yourselves from the competition?

Dräger has a rich history of over 125 years in the fields of safety and medical technology and we pride ourselves on our quality and innovation. The PPE market is becoming increasingly competitive, especially in above the-neck products, and that looks set to continue for many years to come.

Ultimately, our products protect, support and save lives, so our prime focus is on quality and safety above all else. We will also continue to keep the comfort of the user in mind when designing new products and we will continue to provide cost effective, technological and innovative solutions for employers.

What do you see as the growth sectors in the UK and European above-the-neck PPE markets; and are you/will you be designing any products for these sectors?

I see integration, simplification and system compatibility becoming even more prevalent over the next few years − and our extensive range of existing products are always focusing on these aspects for use in a wide range of hazardous environments, such as chemical, petrochemical and plant operations. We will continue to develop tailored and innovative solutions for business in all these growth areas.

What do you think the future holds for the above-the-neck PPE market?
As above.

Are you launching any new products at exhibitions this year and/or do you have any new products in the pipeline you can tell us about?

We’re unveiling a range of our next generation products at Emergency Services Show 2015. Among the advanced technological products on display are the new fire ground communications range − the Dräger FPSCOM 5000 and FPS-COM 7000 − and our new HPS 3500 tactical rescue helmet. We will also showcase our tablet PC entry control system.

We pride ourselves on our innovation and we are committed to R&D. We are always looking at ways to improve existing product ranges, as well as launching new market shaping and leading products. We are already working on our next cutting edge range of above-the-neck PPE products − so watch this space!