PPE on show at international event

Manufacturers, buyers and retailers of PPE from around the world will be heading for Germany in October.

Held every two years in Düsseldorf, the next A+A Show opens to visitors on 18th October, and promises to showcase the very latest in products and services for the global safety industry. Over 1,500 exhibiting companies from around the world are expected to showcase their products and services to an estimated 50,000 international visitors.

The 2011 fair will primarily focus on innovative products and the latest technological developments in the areas of safety, security and health at work. A number of specific areas will form the basis of the A+A Show, including ‘safety at work’, ‘security at work’, ‘health at work’ and ‘specialised equipment for disaster management’. A programme of forums and special events is also planned, including the 32nd International Congress on Occupational Health and Safety, organised by the German Federal Association for Occupational Safety and Health (Basi), and presented in both English and German.

As one of Europe’s foremost Notified Bodies for PPE, SATRA has had a presence at the A+A Show for many years. This year, our PPE experts will be in Hall 10 on Stand D20 and look forward to meeting you to discuss any industry issues you may wish to investigate.

A fast and efficient testing programme is available to all SATRA customers, and members can receive constructive assistance and appropriate advice on all issues – from conception to certification. This service is invaluable in reducing development times and obtaining certificates quickly.

Manufacturers based in China can enjoy the convenience of a local service combined with the authority of globally recognised results and test reports. Products can now be sent to SATRA’s Dongguan office, after which they can be evaluated in SATRA’s laboratories, with results and advice often delivered within one week of receipt. A SATRA test report offers the most accurate interpretation of results and has considerable authority. It is accepted and respected around the world, and can help a company to win new customers.

Companies to look out for

A number of SATRA members will be exhibiting at the event, including the following companies:

Bata Industrials – Hall 3 Stand B92
During the A+A event, Bata Industrials will be introducing a new concept, consisting of various safety shoe models which are suitable for nearly every work environment.

According to Bata Industrials, countless variations may be created from its basic line with six shoe models, all of which satisfy the S1, S2 and S3 safety requirements. These are available with PU, TPU or rubber soles, with or without external toecaps, and incorporating steel or composite mid-soles. All of the shoes feature the company’s ‘Walkline’® technology, which it claims will stimulate the natural action of the foot, thus helping prevent problems. The models are also available in three widths.

In addition, the Bata Industrials collection includes seven special models, including safety shoes with the ‘Boa’^® closure system and ‘Gore-Tex’^® laminate.

Bekina – Hall 3 Stand A17
At the 2009 A+A Show, Bekina launched a new ‘Steplite X’ safety boot, and this year, the extended Steplite X range will be on display.

Having lavished a considerable amount of attention to detail on the Steplite X, the company has showed the same commitment to the other footwear in its catalogue. According to Bekina, the characteristics of its PU boots include their light weight, thermo insulation and long life.

Brynje A/S – Hall 7 Stand A21
A 125 year-old Danish company with an established heritage, Brynje A/S is ISO 9000-certified, and claims to be the safety footwear market leader in Denmark, supplying wholesalers and retail chains within the building and auto industries. It will be exhibiting its range of safety footwear at A+A, all of which are said to be made in accordance with European standards.

Cofra – Hall 3 Stand H52
Italian safety footwear specialist Cofra claims to go beyond what it calls the standard set of protective devices, and annually invests 5 per cent of its turnover in research and development to identify the unique needs of different occupations.

Among the styles on show in Düsseldorf will be the company’s ‘Foundry S3 M HRO HI SRC’ model, designed to protect against splashes of high-temperature molten metal which, among other features, includes triple needle stitching in Kevlar, fireproof laces with a quick release system and an APT puncture-resistant fabric insole.

Cofra will also be showing its ‘Electron SB E P FO’ electrical-resistant boot which it is marketing as incorporating electrical resistance of the sole at over 2,000 MOhm, a composite toe cap resistant to 200J, and a highly breathable and abrasion-resistant upper fabric.

Flecksteel – Hall 3 Stand E76
Part of the Plinio Fleck Group, Flecksteel is a major producer of steel, aluminium and composite toe caps and stainless steel midsoles for safety footwear. The company will be showcasing its entire range of components at A+A – an event that coincides with its 62nd year of trading.

Panter – Hall 3 Stand D80
Panter will be showing its ‘Oxygen’ system, promoted as a breathable product designed to regulate the inside temperature of the footwear and keep the foot ventilated. It is claimed to be water-resistant and capable of ejecting sweat and moisture condensation to the exterior of the shoe.

Saudi Leather – Hall 5 Stand E48
Exhibiting for the first time at A+A, Saudi Leather will be showcasing its range of ‘SLIC’ safety and work footwear with PU-injected soles formed on DESMA machinery, The company is aiming to export its products – said to conform to EN 345 – into the European marketplace.

Swenco – Hall 3 Stand E28-4
Swenco Limited was founded in 1962 and claims to be North America’s leading manufacturer and distributor of components for the safety footwear industry. Among the items on display will be the ‘Steel-Flex’^® protective midsole plate – marketed as meeting or exceeding all existing safety standards worldwide and available in a variety of coatings for enhanced bonding to outsole materials. Another of the company’s products – the ‘Swen-Flex’^® non-metallic puncture-resistant insole – is said to provide more foot surface protection than conventional steel plates, and a range of steel/aluminium toe caps and shanks manufactured in China by TTL – an enterprise owned by Swenco – will also be featured at A+A.

Steel Blue – Hall 3 Stand J27
The Australian Steel Blue company has grown to become a major supplier of industrial safety footwear, and claims that by utilising the latest technologies, it produces work boots similar in quality and flexibility to high-performance sports shoes.

A number of new styles will be on show at A+A, including the ‘Sydney’ and ‘Brisbane’, both of which feature composite toecaps, penetration-resistant midsoles and water-resistant premium leather uppers. In addition, Steel Blue has introduced the ‘Argyle Met’ – an addition to its general-purpose industrial and construction range, which is said to offer added protection higher up the foot over the metatarsal area without sacrificing comfort.

Terra Footwear – Hall 7 Stand E18
Terra Footwear from Canada will be exhibiting its full European range at A+A, the highlight being the introduction of styles with ‘CleanFeet’ technology. The company takes pride in pushing the boundaries of style and innovation, and at show will announce the introduction of what it claims will be further revolutionary technology.

Also new for A+A will be the introduction of the ‘Terra Lites’ eight-inch work boot – a lightweight S3 boot which includes ‘Super-feet’, ‘CleanFeet’ and ‘Firma-Flex’ technologies to provide comfort and performance.

Vibram – Hall 9 Stand D40
A leading supplier of high-performance rubber soles produced for premium footwear brands, Vibram has chosen the A+A Show to introduce its new collection of soles developed for work, safety, military and firefighting applications. The Italian company calls on its many years of experience to conceive soles to satisfy the specific needs of the end-user, whether the particular requirement is for excellent grip, heat and oil resistance, rating for electrical hazards or flexibility and comfort.

Among the products showcased at A+A will be the ‘Rubber One’ – a sole specifically developed to satisfy military needs, with a large contact area to improve grip, a large heel to boost stability and a high profile midsole to ensure foot protection and safety.

In addition, visitors to the Vibram stand can learn about the ‘Hero’ sole – manufactured from flame-resistant compound and designed to provide self-cleaning attributes, along with stability and slip resistance.

Yakupoglu – Hall 4 Stand F37
Shortly after beginning footwear production, Ankara-based Yakupoglu (YDS) became the major boot supplier to the Turkish armed forces. Today, YDS claims to be the largest manufacturer of police and military footwear in Europe, and exports boots to over 35 countries. A wide range of YDS products – including specialised industrial footwear – will be on show at A+A.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 36 of the July/August 2011 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

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