OFFERS AND NEWS

Want to grow your brand and get more sales? We can be your partner for unique solutions to your marketing challenges. Whether you have a marketing team in place already or you rely solely on outsourced support, our services are designed to make the process simpler for you. 

Instead of having multiple service providers, we can consolidate your marketing supply chain and manage all activity to ensure return on investment and keep everything on brand. With our vast experience of managing branding projects for our customers across workwear, print and exhibitions and events, we’re now offering a formalised service.

From content and PR to marketing strategy - we will partner with you to create solutions that are unique to your specific needs. 

Louise Harris, our Managing Director, states;

“Fenn’s marketing services come as a natural evolution to the expertise and assistance we already provide to our customers. It’s an exciting addition to our services and it will be great to partner more closely with our customers to offer even more value and support to their businesses.”

For help with your marketing please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Fenn1875 moves to new offices in Trentham to further its sustainability credentials on the journey to becoming carbon neutral. With the goal of being carbon net zero by 2027, the new office in Trentham Lakes is an integral part of creating a greener future and paving the way for sustainable growth.

Mapping out the future for the business, Fenn1875 worked with energy saving consultants to choose the most sustainable options for the business. Decisions were made such as choosing lighting and central heating systems with co2 reduction in mind - as a result of implementing the new systems there is a saving 37.8% on total co2 emissions. In addition the company is maximising green energy with solar panels and only using electricity that comes from certified sustainable energy sources.

Sustainability runs through the new office with carefully sourced furniture, made from environmentally friendly materials and supplied from an environmentally conscious supply chain. With space to house a new electric vehicle fleet and have an EV charging point, the offices take into consideration the roadmap to reach carbon net zero by 2027.

Louise Harris, Managing Director, states, “Planning for the future with sustainability in mind has been high on our agenda for some time. It’s great to be hitting milestones on our carbon journey earlier than expected and the new office has facilitated this. Fenn1875 is looking forward to the future and it is an exciting time for the business with continued growth and new service offerings to better serve our customers.” 

Workwear and PPE is non-negotiable in some roles - with certain industries requiring employees to wear PPE and safety gear by law. With some industries being more strict than others with their uniform requirements, knowing the role and tasks that your employees complete will help you to choose the best workwear for them. 

One often overlooked aspect when choosing workwear is the fit. However, getting it right is essential to the comfort and effectiveness of any uniform. To help you make the best choice for your workforce, here are the key things you need to consider.

Materials and durability

Having durable and breathable workwear is important as it will ensure the workwear lasts long, is fit for purpose. This sounds simple but in practice, finding uniforms with materials and fits that suit the individual, the role, safety requirements and the brand can be time consuming and frustrating. Having a trial with your team or seeing samples of the clothes can be a great way to choose your uniform before investing in a completely new set. 

Individual requirements

Individual fit and comfort is a high priority because if an employee is not comfortable in the uniform, they may adapt how they wear it and as a result lose some of the safety elements. Choosing suppliers with customisation or trousers with different lengths for the leg, waist measurements done in inches instead of standard sizes can be useful. Also investing in a range of accessories such as belts or high quality socks can ensure trousers and safety shoes are worn correctly while remaining comfortable for your team. 

Job requirements 

A veterinary nurse will have different job requirements to a construction worker… using such a blatant example, it seems obvious. However, looking at the industry as a whole instead of individual job roles within each team could be problematic when choosing uniforms. Take the catering industry, chefs are often taught the importance of safety footwear that protects the whole foot because of the hazards in the kitchen. However, service staff who also have to go into the kitchen are not always given the same regulations regarding shoes. 

Legal requirements 

Working with specific tools or around hazardous chemicals will require your team to wear PPE that is designed to protect them from the specific risk. However, providing your team with incorrect sizes in gloves - even if they’re of the legal specification - is ineffective. Having a range of sizes available for your team will reduce risks further and ensure the items fit well and leave no skin uncovered. 

Corporate branding 

Wanting your team to look onbrand should not come at the expense of clothes that are a good personal fit. One way of doing this is to choose your uniform items then work with yiiur supplier to have them branded or personalised in the way that works best for the item’s material. Choosing a colour that fits in with your brand palette will strengthen your look too.

Partnering with a supplier that can cater to a range of uniform requirements, personal sizes and help with choosing items that are on brand but also comfortable will make your workwear process much easier. 

Email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. today to discuss your workwear requirements. 

You’ve probably seen the constant mention of Monkeypox in the news along with Covid. Well, there is now a rise in Poliovirus too. With a seemingly never ending stream of new viruses emerging, focus on cleanliness and public health is high. However most of us aren’t aware that there are two types of virus - enveloped and non-enveloped - so you’ll need to bear this in mind when you are buying products to keep your workplace clean and sanitised. 

What’s the difference between enveloped and non-enveloped viruses?

Basically it comes down to a virus’ structure and composition. The Virology Research Services site explains:

In general, what distinguishes them is the presence (for enveloped viruses) or absence (for non-enveloped viruses) of a lipid bilayer membrane on the outer part of the virus… Viruses are composed of two main components: the viral genome (which can be RNA or DNA) and the virus-coded protein capsid that surrounds the genome. If the virus particle contains only these two elements, it is called a non-enveloped virus. If the virus particle contains an extra lipid bilayer membrane surrounding the protein capsid, it’s called an enveloped virus.

So when products are made to tackle viruses, they need to be tested against both variants to ensure they work effectively and as stated.

Why is this important? 

After the pandemic, public interest and media coverage of viruses has increased. Monkeypox (an enveloped virus) is the latest to hit national headlines and Poliovirus, the virus that causes Polio (a non-enveloped virus) has also re-emerged in the UK.. Health organisations are encouraging extra protection around personal health and public sanitization. This can be seen with recent campaigns around vaccines, face coverings and social distancing, with this still going on for groups of people who are thought to be more at risk in terms of infection or with health vulnerabilities. 

What is the challenge for businesses? 

With pressure to maintain clean environments for staff, as well as the wider pressures of running a business during uncertain economic times, people want to know how to protect employees and customers in the most time efficient and cost effective way. The necessity to use a wide ranging portfolio of Infection Prevention products is still valid, despite the other struggles. There has never been a greater time for the cleaning industry to demonstrate continued vigilance and high levels of biosecurity and hygiene within their cleaning regimes. 

How can Fenns help?

Fenns has a robust Infection Prevention range of products engineered to protect the working environment. The virus that causes Monkeypox has been added to the ULTRA AX efficacy claims – this is effective in 60 seconds. 

For those customers using concentrates and chemical dosing, ULTRA XTREME as well as being efficacious for enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, is also certified to inactivate the Poliovirus.

We stock disinfectants that will tackle both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, including COVID and variants, Monkeypox and Poliovirus. 

Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like our help with your janitorial processes.

With the heatwave in full swing, social media is awash with pictures of people working outside during their work from home days. If you’re based in the office - it’s easy to feel like you’re missing out on the already too brief summer. Some simple switches and creative thinking could transform any available outdoor space you have access to at work. 

The pandemic brought with it a trend of outdoor socializing that allowed us to catch up with the rest of Europe. As a consequence, outdoor furniture available to the UK has evolved to give us more freedom in all facets of our life. With even a small space, you can create an outdoor area that suits your team’s needs. Here’s some ideas:

Informal meeting space

Working outdoors is thought to improve stress levels so no wonder it’s a great way to tackle those difficult conversations. Informal meetings are one of the most simple ways to get outside with your team. On really hot days, you might want to give the walking meetings a miss and have somewhere to sit instead. 

You can easily create a multifunctional space with a small terrace table and chairs, with a shaded area to protect you from the sun. In winter, outdoor heaters can transform the space to make the cold bearable and a canvassed area can protect you from the light rain. 

Board meetings and group sessions

Making use of a larger table and weatherproof chairs can mean more time outside for bigger meetings and group sessions. For creative team meetings, these can be a great source of inspiration as it takes you out of the office and into a different environment, where ideas can flow. 

Without the confines of the office or a traditional meeting space, barriers drop and people are much more likely to share openly. This enhances productive discussion as the outdoor space is said to promote feelings of trust, community and goodwill. 

Relaxing spaces

With reports that being outside can boost your mood by 20%, giving your team a space to unwind can help relieve the tension of workday stresses. Humans don’t thrive when they have to sit down in front of a screen for 8 or more hours a day. Giving them a space to go to where they can relax during breaks or quiet periods will improve happiness. 

Incorporating greenery into your outdoor space will also improve focus restoration by up to 8%. Allowing your team to get outside after finishing a complicated task will help them to recover quicker and focus on what they have to do next. 

Solo working 

Working outside boosts energy levels - with 20 minutes of being in the open air said to have as much of a boost as a cup of coffee. Having a few tables and chairs or outdoor benches can provide a quiet working environment that’s away from the business of the office. In addition, a 20% short term memory increase can happen when working in nature. With extra energy, focus and memory - tasks can be completed faster and engagement levels are higher. 

For inspiration on how to create an outdoor working environment, email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Working in the food industry comes with a wealth of regulation around hygiene and protection. From food manufacturing to preparation - every stage of the journey requires PPE for the safety of your employees and your consumers. However, different parts of the journey call for specific PPE and the range of equipment needed can seem daunting. 

To help you understand all the forms of PPE required for each stage of the journey, we’ve created this guide.

PPE for food manufacturing 

In many mills and factories where our food is made, there is hazardous equipment and loud machinery. These environments are designed for efficiency, cleanliness and safe working practices, yet all risks remain unmitigated without PPE. Some of the most important elements of PPE needed are:

Ear protection: many processes emit hazardous noise levels in the range of 85dB(A), with some industries reaching up to 100dB(A). Different environments and roles will suit earplugs better while some call for overhead ear muffs. To enhance communication while retaining protection, there’s also noise cancelling communication headsets. 

Eye protection: food particles, cleaning solutions and debris can all pose a threat to employees eyesight. Having goggles or glasses will protect eyesight when working in environments or fulfilling roles where you’re exposed to the above threats. 

Respiratory protection: particles from certain foods that are ground, like flour or spices, can impact an employee’s breathing for years to come. To avoid the risk of developing prolonged conditions such as asthma, it’s essential to wear face coverings that will keep out particles and dust. 

PPE for food preparation

Food preparation has many elements that are hazardous, not only to the employees preparing the food, but also to the consumer. Cross contamination can be deadly for those with allergies and intolerances and there’s a heightened risk of food poisoning. Some of the PPE is disposable which comes with added concerns around environmental impact. Here are some of the necessary items:

Protective clothing: while aprons and overcoats are needed to protect your uniforms from spills and stains, they also help to prevent cross contamination when used correctly. Depending on the task, it will determine whether you use a multi-use overcoat or a disposable piece of protective clothing. 

Disposable gloves: cleanliness is imperative when it comes to food prep so changing your gloves when going from raw meat to any other task for example will reduce the risk of food poisoning. 

Footwear: working in an environment with sharp knives and heavy appliances will cause injury if anything were to fall on them. Also working long shifts on your feet in a kitchen can take its toll on the body after a prolonged period of time. Having comfortable shoes that cover the whole foot is the best practice. 

For more information on specific ranges email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Working outside isn’t simple from a health and safety perspective. You need to ensure your team has the right workwear and PPE equipment to withstand any risk factors and changes in the weather. This means choosing an adequate uniform for your team that caters to comfort and necessary safety features is subject to change, depending on the season. 

One often overlooked aspect of workwear is footwear. Employees are often given one pair of shoes or boots to last them year round. When working outdoors, the footwear isn’t always suitable for all tasks, weather or working conditions. It’s also important to take into consideration the task and type of role your team is working on. 

Waterproof safety boots with Gore-Tex technology

As a general rule, it’s best to provide workers with waterproof shoes that are well insulated. These will help to protect them from rain, snow and cold weather. Ergonomic features are also important to help with comfort and protecting employees' health. 

Gore-Tex lining is essential for improved waterproofing, optimised breathability and temperature regulation. One of our suppliers, U-Power, has a Gore-Tex range with boots and shoes that are completely waterproof and have excellent anti-slip properties, making them great against oil. Two of the most popular are:

Dude:

Ankle boots safety shoes, comfortable u power Gore-Tex, with natural nubuck leather upper, waterproof and breathable, composite toecap, anti-puncture, anti-slip and PU/PU sole, S3 WR CI SRC

Suitable for the following environments and conditions: 

• Mines
• Assembling 
• Wet environments
• Cold environments

Climb: 

Ankle boot safety shoes. Totally "no metal", comfortable u power Gore-Tex, with water-repellent soft pull-up upper, waterproof and breathable, composite toecap, anti-puncture, anti-slip and PU/Nitrile sole, S3 WR HRO HI CI SRC

Suitable for the following environments and conditions: 

• Steel industry
• Mines
• Assembling 
• Wet environments
• Cold environments
• Hot environments

Kevlar stitching for durability and extra strength

Kevlar® DuPontTM stitching ensures safety boots have outstanding mechanical resistance to traction and heat. It makes for a great, multifaceted boot that is ideal for wet and cold environments: 

• building sites
• gardens and agriculture
• installations
• port areas
• road works and maintenance 
• when the sole needs to be insulated against heat and cold 
• when the sole needs to have greater resistance to heat

Two of the most popular are:

Thanos:

Anti-static, water repellent shoes in soft, extremely robust, Pull-up leather, resistant to abrasion and dynamic traction. PU-reinforced scuff cap on the front and with double yellow and black lace. Protection class S3 CI SRC ESD, with special insulation on the bottom of the shoe against cold and an anti-slip, anti-static, abrasion resistant and oil resistant sole.

Suitable for the following environments and conditions: 

• Assembling
• Wet environments
• Cold environments

Comso:

Safety boots  in soft, hard-wearing, water repellent, Pull-up leather with PU-reinforced scuff cap, double lace and Kevlar® DuPontTM stitching that ensure outstanding mechanical resistance to traction and heat. In protection class S3 HRO HI CI SRC with special insulation against heat and cold.

Suitable for the following environments and conditions:

• Assembling
• Wet environments
• Cold environments

Anti-slip properties for wet and oily environments

Ensuring that safety and stability in wet and oily environments are front of mind, as well as with ergonomic features that are also important to help with comfort and protecting employees' health. Here’s two of our most popular and versatile ranges:

Terranova: 

Ankle boot safety shoes, comfortable and light of the "Rock & Roll" range, water repellent pull-up leather upper, inserts in breathable mesh, tip AirToe Composite, anti perforation, anti-slip and PU / PU sole, S3 SRC.

Suitable for the following environments and conditions:

• Assembling
• Wet environments

Track: 

Ankle boot safety shoes u power, comfortable, from the Concept M range, with water-repellent smooth full grain leather upper, composite toe cap, stainless steel anti-puncture, breathability, anti-slip and PU / PU sole, S3 SRC

Suitable for the following environments and conditions:

• Assembling
• Wet environments

For more information on safety boots, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Britain’s workwear industry is growing at a steady rate - predicted 4.3% every year until 2027. However, the heritage behind the industry is just as rich, with various iterations all the way back from the middle ages until the present day. As times have changed, new challenges continue to emerge for workwear manufacturers, shaping the way we purchase today and will do so in the future. 

Challenges like the ever evolving health and safety regulations, increasingly fashion conscious consumers and the scarcity around natural resources have drastically changed the workwear items we now buy. To help you future-proof your workwear, we’re going back to the beginning and looking at the industry as a whole - before making our predictions on what will happen next!

Basic functionality 

The first workwear garments harked back to the medieval times and were used in the military or in trades like stone masonry and blacksmithing. Armour was the original PPE, with metal plates used to protect the soldiers in combat and trades used basic cuts of leather to help protect their skin from heat and debris from wood, stone and metal.

During the industrial revolution workwear evolved again, taking into consideration design elements that were made for safety and durability. Miners took to wearing thick corduroy overalls and heavy boots for protection. Different variants were used in factories like shirts without collars to reduce the odds of getting caught in the machinery. 

The rise of mass produced garments

Materials like denim became popular in America, due to its hard wearing fabric and designs made popular by Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis. The patented “waist overalls” featured copper rivets in key areas to minimise the trousers tearing in the seams. While they were originally intended for use by miners - they rapidly grew in popularity across other manual labour roles such as farming. The innovation continued too with jackets and blouses made out of the material. 

Health and Safety became important

The proliferation of industrial roles also gave rise to the workers representation unions. Focus was on manual roles and the concept of health and safety started to become standardised. This gave way to occupation specific uniforms where garments needed to comply with minimum standards, be fit for purpose and comfortable for the workers. 

The concept of branding arrives

Synergistically, companies started to create workwear uniforms and put their logo or name on the garments. This rise in branding was a marker for quality and an easy way to identify which company employees represented. It also doubled as a visual signfier for the size and prowess of a company and to showcase status and position within the organisation. 

Workwear as fashion

With the rise in branding and design led pieces, it became a matter of time before workwear started to infiltrate our downtime attire and influence consumer trends. Jeans led the way with phenomenon and was closely followed by Doc Martins - becoming a cult classic for punk groups in the 1980’s. Mass production, branding and comfortable designs paved the way for a profitable crossover and money was then re-invested into advertisement to keep the cycle going - bringing us the industry we see today!

So… What will happen in the future?

Our predictions for the future of workwear take into consideration the rich heritage of the industry and external influences most prevalent at the times of change. 

Given the necessity to become more sustainable, we anticipate that garments made from recycled materials will increase. Alongside this, as technology progresses we’ll see new materials and enhanced recycling methods to ensure we’re re-using as much as we possibly can. 

Garments will be expected to last longer and be of better quality, both for sustainability and economic reasons. Instead of the throw away culture we’ve become accustomed to during the mass production era, new innovations through materials, business models and designs will prolong the life-span of clothes we wear. 

New knowledge around health and safety will see further personalisation in workwear and PPE with items created to cater to specific conditions and precautions. Protecting the health of everyday workers and preventing any injury later down the line. We’re also seeing a rise in products like workwear boots that help to mitigate symptoms of health issues such as diabetes, given its prevalence in the general population. 

Inspiration taken from performance enhancing technologies found in sports in migrating across to workwear too - further solidifying comfort as a key element when choosing your workwear. Teamed with a stylish and timeless design to appeal to an increasingly image conscious workforce, products are expected to be great quality, comfortable and responsibly made. 

For help with your workwear needs, email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

In the fast moving world of Fenns, we’ve had a strong start to the year and we’re making great progress towards our growth and sustainability goals. From team growth to service expansions, it’s all happening! With lots of exciting projects going on in the business, we’d like to share some of the most recent updates. 

Online Furniture Store 

We’ve just launched our brand new furniture website that enables you to purchase equipment for your workspace online. With a range of suppliers and new lines set to be added, the site offers everything from essentials to ergonomically designed desks and chairs. Check back regularly to see special offers and take inspiration on cool ideas for your workspace. 

Team Growth

This year we’ve invested heavily into enhancing our categories and in providing exceptional service to our customers. Furniture and workspace fitouts is a growing area of ours and we’re happy to welcome Matt Allaby into the team as our Head of Furniture. Chelsea Spencer joins us as our Head of Marketing to help with our digital customer journey and marketing strategy. 

To support further growth we have recruited Ellie Malbon as our accounts apprentice and have created new opportunities within our customer services and purchasing team. We’re also looking to recruit more roles to help with our growth objectives so have a look at our careers page. 

Corporate Social Responsibility 

We have a range of CSR initiatives and these all lead to our ‘business for good’ ethos. We’re working towards becoming carbon neutral by 2027 and we’re well on the way to achieving this. Our fleet is being replaced by electric vehicles when the opportunity for new leases arise. The packaging in our warehouse was also under review and we have chosen a more sustainable box for distributing goods. 

The partnership with The Woodland Trust ensures we’re able to offset any carbon that can not be reduced. Over the last year, together we have achieved the following:

• Raised over £1.37 Million
• Planted more than 354,000 trees
• Captured over 82,000 tonnes of carbon which is the same weight as 18,222 elephants 

Developing Skills

Investing into growing the skill set of our team enables us to evolve our business offering and keep innovating. Our purchasing team is undertaking a CIPs qualification to ensure we’re using best practice methods. Other areas of the business are benefiting from training too by CIPD and apprenticeships. 

New Office Fitout

To facilitate the next stage of our growth, we purchased a new office to better suit our team’s needs. The new space has LED lighting and solar panels to move us further towards our carbon neutral goals. Our working showroom will return with a range of different suppliers for our customers to see in action when they visit us. 

Ergonomics is a scientific field, informing both design and health & safety considerations in the workplace. With it being a specialised subject and academic in some areas, it’s easy to feel confused when buying a simple desk chair. Furthermore, ergonomics is not something we think of on a daily basis. But, after prolonged periods of time sitting in uncomfortable positions - we start to notice! 

As the pandemic shifted us away from carefully designed offices with ergonomic equipment and set-ups, we’ve started to feel it. The dining room table has served its purpose but has left many of us with more aches and pains. With hybrid work and fully remote positions becoming normal, it’s time to look at more permanent options with correct set ups. While our workplaces are changing, the focus on health and wellbeing should be present. 

With this in mind - here are the three principles of ergonomics you should consider when designing your space…

Physical Ergonomics

The most focussed upon element by health and safety professionals. Physical ergonomics is important when planning your environment as it considers how you and your team will respond to the physiological demands of the workplace. 

Poorly designed spaces that don’t cater to our body's needs can be the cause of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) - which are one of the most frequent causes of time off work. Employers may be liable to pay compensation if the result of an MSD is proved to have come from a poorly equipped and set up work space. 

Some of the most common MSDs are:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome (trouble with nerves in your wrist) 
• Epicondylitis (AKA Golfers Elbow)  
• Muscle strains 
• Lower back injuries
• Rotator cuff injuries (the shoulder) 
• Tendinitis (inflammation or irritation of a tendon) 
• Trigger finger (where your finger gets stuck in a bent position) 

You can mitigate risks for developing the above by ensuring your work environment is suitably equipped - however some signs to look out for in your everyday activity include: 

• Repetitive movements
• Strain from vibrations
• Undue force needed to complete a task
• Poor posture 

Having the correct equipment and accessories can go a long way to improving your team’s wellbeing. DSE approved workstations and proper training on how to interact with the environment will improve conditions too. This also stands for tasks such as lifting or carrying heavy items that may not be required every day but can cause injury if not conducted appropriately. 

Cognitive ergonomics 

Often overlooked in comparison to physical ergonomics, our cognitive processes are equally important. It’s how we interact with our colleagues, clients and with business processes. Memory, reasoning and perception are all mental processes and have a huge impact on our daily lives. 

Having a good grounding on cognitive ergonomics means processes are taken into consideration so you team is able to:

• Process and interact with data 
• Collate and decipher information
• Prioritise and complete tasks

In order to ensure your team can do this with ease, look at your workstations and the software you use. It should all be clear, simple and user friendly. Unnecessary clutter and clunky user interfaces cloud judgement and the busy environment can cause stress and pressure, making it harder to complete tasks. 

When you consider cognitive ergonomics, engagement, wellbeing and productivity can improve. 

Organisational ergonomics

The big picture - look at the macro, this aspect of ergonomics considers the design of work systems: organisational structures, policies and processes. It can improve your entire business if you take this into consideration. Enhance the performance and effectiveness of your team by making your systems more streamlined and easy to use. 

If you’re looking to improve your workplace, get in touch with our team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.