Procurement Market Intelligence Report
Safety Apparel
Sourcing Guide & Market Intelligence
Smarter cost management starts with comprehensive market intelligence
United States
Europe
Global
Quick Navigation
Safety Apparel Global Overview
Definition
Summary
Safety apparel suppliers provide a variety of safety apparel items to businesses and workers for use in a variety of sectors, including manufacturing, construction, and mining. Common safety apparel products include high-visibility clothing and protective apparel. Other key buyers are government agencies and healthcare facilities.
This Report Includes:
- Protective Aprons
- Fire-retardant Apparel
- Reflective Safety apparel
- Hazardous Material Protective Apparel
Not in this Report:
- Safety Footwear
- Safety Eyewear
- Hearing Protectors
- Gloves
Global Safety Apparel Procurement Trends
Discover the top international trends affecting procurement in the global Safety Apparel market.
Warning Trends
Elevated Tariffs are increasing prices for law enforcement, security, and safety equipment
- The Trump administration’s reciprocal tariffs, which place broad tariffs on all imports from most US trade partners, are set to take effect on August 7 after the tariff rates were finalized on August 1.
- As a result, all foreign suppliers in law enforcement, security, and safety equipment will face significantly increased costs when selling products to US buyers, and domestic manufacturers of these goods will face higher costs when sourcing key inputs for these products.
- Countries such as China, Germany, Mexico, Thailand, and Vietnam are leading sources of imports in this sector, providing high quantities of goods such as safes, locks, security cameras, security systems, and personal protective equipment. Starting August 7, imports from China, Germany, Mexico, Thailand, and Vietnam will be subject to tariff rates of 54.0%, 15.0%, 25.0%, 20.0%, and 19.0% respectively.
- Elevated tariffs are likely to impact pricing and supply chains in this industry due to the United States’ reliance on imported manufactured goods, which gives foreign suppliers the leverage to pass through the costs of tariffs to buyers and domestic suppliers the leverage to raise prices.
- Consequently, the Yale Budget Lab projects a 39.2% average increase in metal product prices, impacting products such as security gates and safes. Electronic security devices, such as cameras or metal detectors, are projected to rise by 18.7% in price. In the personal protective equipment market, prices are forecast to rise by between 11.0% and 37.5%, depending on the type of equipment and materials used to make it.
The European Commission is proposing the European Supply Chain Act
- Early in 2022, the European Commission (EC) proposed a new law that would impact supply chains throughout the European Union (EU).
- The law consists of provisions requiring companies to identify current and potential negative impacts on human rights and the environment throughout their supply chain and to mitigate these risks.
- Businesses will have to investigate all links of their supply chain, upstream and downstream, and adjust their supply chain to ensure labor rights and environmental standards are not being violated as a result of their operations over the course of two years.
- While many countries have their own national laws similar to the one being proposed by the EC, such as Germany’s German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, this proposed law supersedes national laws and is stricter in most cases.
Neutral
Crude oil prices dip, but natural gas and fuel prices remain volatile in 2025
- Oil prices have been falling with the introduction of higher tariffs and the predicted decline in global demand. The OPEC+ group of countries also announced they would be unwinding production cuts and increasing their collective output target for May by 411,000 barrels per day.
- Trade wars, ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel, and general unrest in the Middle East are causing uncertainty surrounding oil prices, which has led to volatility in prices. In the third week of May 2025, crude oil prices hit $63.67 per barrel, but volatility remains as geopolitical concerns remain.
- Natural gas prices rallied early in 2025 with colder-than-usual temperatures in the United States and high demand, topping out at $4.68/MMBtu in March. Prices have since fallen with the onset of trade wars and weakening demand projections to $3.64/MMBtu in the third week of May 2025.
- The national average of gasoline prices has been rising slightly due to refinery maintenance/outages and blending issues, hitting a national average of $3.15 per gallon in the third week of May 2025. However, gasoline futures have been volatile, falling due to fears of oversupply and deepening concerns about weakening demand with tariffs, but rising after trade deals.
Global Safety Apparel Market - Suppliers by Region
| Country/Region | Number of Suppliers |
|---|---|
| #1 Oceania & Southeast Asia | 35,060 |
| #2 India | 34,805 |
| #3 Africa & Middle East | 11,505 |
Explore supplier concentration across the globe
We've uncovered the 11 top regions for global procurement, based on feedback from our most strategic clients. Access vendor counts for each unique region when you subscribe.
2
Geography Drilldown - US & Europe
Average Cost of Safety Apparel
United States
2026 Market Pricing$3.75 to $X,XXX.XX
per safety apparel itemEurope
Average Price
Prices in the Safety Apparel market range from $3.75 to $X,XXX.XX, depending on Type of Apparel, Safety Features & Materials, Size, Comfort Features and Type of Material. For example, lower prices are associated with Safety vests ($4.00 to $100 per safety apparel item) and Aprons ($3.00 to $80.00 per safety apparel item), whereas higher prices are associated with Abrasive blast suits ($105 to $350 per safety apparel item) and Flame-retardant jackets ($100 to $480 per safety apparel item).
Need the scoop on international price trends?
Between our Europe and Canada collections, we provide price data for 350 markets so you can instantly compare prices across borders. Or, use our custom research services for intel on prices in any region across the globe.
Safety Apparel Category Price Trends
Pricing trends are indicated by the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during a set period of time. For the Safety Apparel market, prices in the US have grown 1.4% from 2022 to 2025. Meanwhile, the recent three-year CAGR for Europe is --0.2%.
United States (2022-2025)
Europe (2022-2025)
Compound Annual Growth Rate
Wondering where prices are heading?
Price trend forecasts are available to subscribers, along with price driver projections and forward-looking cost structure data.
Cost Analysis - Total Cost of Ownership for Safety Apparel
Total cost of ownership is Low in the Safety Apparel market. The average cost of ownership differs depending on the contract but generally includes costs negotiated before the contract begins, costs billed during the contract period and unforeseen costs. For example, unforeseen costs in the form of Delays may raise the total cost of ownership unexpectedly.
Negotiated Before
Customization
Billed During
Warranties
Training
Additional Fees
Unforeseen
Delays
Restocking
Buyer Power in Procurement Negotiations
In 2026, buyer power amounts to -1.5 in the United States. Buyer power is most positively impacted by Availability of Substitutes. It is most negatively impacted by Switching Costs. Subscribers can access details on eight other factors that impact buyer power. Learn more
United States
Europe
Buyer power forecasts: your glimpse into the future
Develop strategies for the upcoming year and identify unforeseen opportunities for buying now
- Actionable "Buy Now" and "Buy Later" insights
- Near-real-time updates to current and forecast Buyer Power Scores
- Methodology and weightings for Buyer Power Score Components
Supply Chain Risk
The average level of supply chain risk is assessed as High, which has a negative impact on buyer power. The level of supply chain risk is affected by industry volatility, barriers to entry, competition, import penetration, regulation and industry financial risk. Buyers in this market can mitigate procurement and supply chain management risks by monitoring risk levels for individual first and second tier suppliers:
1st
Tier Suppliers
- Plastic & Resin Manufacturers
- Synthetic Fiber Manufacturers
- Metal Wholesalers
2nd
Tier Suppliers
- Petroleum Refiners
- Chemical Product Manufacturers
- Inorganic Chemical Manufacturers
- Organic Chemical Manufacturers
- Aluminum Manufacturers
Biggest Safety Apparel Suppliers in the US by Revenue
The largest Safety Apparel vendors by revenue in the US are Carhartt Inc., National Safety Apparel, Inc. and Tyndale Company Inc. Subscribers can sort and filter by market share concentration, profit level and other factors. Learn more
| Supplier | Operational Size | Headquarters | Number of Employees | Market Share (%) | Market Share Performance (3yr trend) | Total Revenue ($ million) | Profit Level (%) | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3m Company | Global | ST PAUL | >10,000 | 10-15 | ||||
| Honeywell International Inc. | Global | CHARLOTTE | >10,000 | 5-10 | ||||
| Kimberly-Clark Corporation | Global | IRVING | >10,000 | 5-10 | ||||
| Dupont De Nemours, Inc. | Global | WILMINGTON | >10,000 | 5-10 | ||||
| V. F. Corporation | Global | DENVER, NC | >10,000 | 5-10 | ||||
| W.W. Grainger, Inc. | Global | LAKE FOREST | >10,000 | < 5 | ||||
| Bunzl Plc | Global | London, UK | >10,001 | < 5 | ||||
| Carhartt Inc. | Global | Dearborn, MI | 1,001-10,000 | < 5 | ||||
| Msa Safety Incorporated | Global | Cranberry Township | 1,001-10,000 | < 5 | ||||
Looking for a list of suppliers by country?
Subscribers can access vendor information on Canadian and European suppliers, too. We also offer custom research services to help with vendor sourcing anywhere in the world.
Profit Analysis
The average profit margin across vendors in the Safety Apparel market is 4.3% and steady. Profit levels shift depending on suppliers' spend on wages, purchases and overhead. The highest cost component for vendors is Purchases. The cost trend for this component is falling, when considering movement between 2025 and 2026. To understand cost forecasts for 2027 and uncover the implications on profit, start your subscription. Learn more
Vendor & Supply Chain Analysis
On average, vendor risk in the market is low, indicating that buyers are unlikely to experience disruptions due to financial instability among vendors.
Supply chain risk in the market is high, indicating that buyers may experience complications such as product backorders or shipment delays due to issues in the vendor's upstream supply chain. Risk has been rising due to tariff uncertainty around key inputs, such as chemicals, metals, and plastics.
Market share concentration in the market is moderate, indicating that the leading vendors in the market have a degree of influence on market rates, but buyers can find a competitive market among smaller vendors.
The United States is a net importer of safety apparel, meaning it imports more than it exports in safety apparel. Although buyers can benefit from a broader supplier base and lower costs overseas, procurement will likely be negatively impacted by rising tariff barriers and potential delays.
Supplier Information
3m Company
3M Company is a diversified technology company offering a range of products for safety and industrial, transportation and electronics, and consumer markets. It develops, manufactures, and markets, among others, industrial abrasives and finishing for metalworks, autobody repair solutions, industrial specialty... Subscribe to learn more
Dupont De Nemours, Inc.
DuPont de Nemours, Inc. is a global company that develops technology-based materials, ingredients, and solutions for electronics, transportation, building and construction, health and wellness, food, and worker safety markets. It organizes its business into two reportable segments: the Electronics & Industrial... Subscribe to learn more
Honeywell International Inc.
Honeywell International Inc. is a global technology and manufacturing company that designs, develops, produces, and markets consumer and industrial products. It organizes its business into four reportable business segments: the Aerospace segment, which supplies products, software, and services for aircraft;... Subscribe to learn more
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Kimberly-Clark Corp. is a global consumer goods company that primarily manufactures and markets a wide range of products made from natural or synthetic fibers and materials using advanced technologies in fibers, nonwovens, and absorbency. It organizes its business into three reportable segments: the Personal... Subscribe to learn more
V. F. Corporation
V. F. Corporation is a public company operating globally in the manufacturing and manufacturing sectors. The company's offerings include safety apparel, safety footwear, high-visibility uniforms, flame-resistant uniforms and medical uniforms. Founded in 1899, the company is currently headquartered in Denver,... Subscribe to learn more
Ansell Limited
Ansell Limited is a public company operating globally in the manufacturing sector. The company's offerings include medical gloves, safety apparel and protective gloves. Founded in 1929, the company is currently headquartered in Richmond, Victoria, Australia with an estimated employee count of over 10,000.... Subscribe to learn more
Bunzl Plc
Bunzl Plc is a public company operating globally in the construction, manufacturing and manufacturing sectors. The company's offerings include paper bags, plastic bags, slip sheets, molded fiber packaging, safety apparel. Founded in 1854, the company is currently headquartered in London, United Kingdom with... Subscribe to learn more
Carhartt Inc.
Carhartt Inc. is a private company operating globally in the manufacturing sector. The company's offerings include safety apparel, high-visibility uniforms, flame-resistant uniforms and medical uniforms. Founded in 1889, the company is currently headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, United States of America... Subscribe to learn more
Lakeland Industries Inc.
Lakeland Industries, Inc. is a global provider of safety products for chemical, clean room, energy, fire service, manufacturing, and utility applications. It designs, manufactures, and sells firefighter protective apparel and accessories, high-end chemical protective suits, limited-use/disposable protective... Subscribe to learn more
Accelerate the vendor selection process
Get a clear picture of the competition in a market and discover which vendors are best-suited for your sourcing needs. Our supplier profiles include hard-to-find financial ranges for private companies, cover public company data and feature an interactive competitor matrix.
Procurement Management KPIs for the Safety Apparel Market
Managing vendor performance throughout the contract period is easier when tracking specific key performance indicators (KPIs). For example, buyers should monitor Average Resolution Time and Average Response Time. Buyers may experience better performance throughout their contracts if they establish service level agreements (SLAs) based on Order Accuracy and other factors.
| KPI | Level of Importance (1-5) | Measurements | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Resolution Time |
|
Time elapsed between reaching out to vendor and resolution is reached Time elapsed between receiving original order and receiving correct order |
Conflict resolution should be tracked as prolonged resolution times can lead to operational delays for buyers. Vendors should be able to correct order issues promptly to prevent buyers from facing delays. |
| Average Response Time |
|
Time to respond to emails Time to respond to calls |
Buyers should track how long it takes vendors to respond to different forms of communication to assess the quality of their customer service. Buyers should consider the reasoning behind the contact and assess response times for general communication with the vendor and when reaching out over conflicts. |
|
|||
Questions to Ask During Procurement Negotiations
How can I gain leverage during negotiations?
Regulation
How have you dealt with regulatory changes in the past?
What steps do you take to inform your clients of a pending regulatory change?
Supply Chain Risk
How does an increase in raw material prices (e.g., plastics and synthetic fibers) affect your business and me as a buyer?
How would you deal with cost changes for manufacturing machinery?
Experience and Expertise
How long have you been in the business of manufacturing, wholesaling or retailing safety apparel?
Is your firm insured or bonded?
The ultimate prep for procurement negotations
View all 33 negotiation questions for this category when you subscribe.
Safety Apparel RFP Guidelines
What should my RFP include?
Organizational Overview
Buyers should provide vendors with an overview of their business and the various locations in which they operate that require safety apparel.
Buyers should describe typical situations that require safety apparel in order for the vendor to judge if their equipment is applicable
Statement Of Need
Buyers must provide a comprehensive list of each type of safety apparel along with the quantity of each item.
Buyers should specify if they are interested in any particular brands and products as well as if they are flexible with brand.
Project Budget
Buyers should provide a maximum budget for all apparel items including delivery and any other applicable total ownership costs.
Buyers should break down their budget by the maximum cost per item.
The RFP process made easy
Find out how you can access RFP templates for 800+ procurement categories to start writing better, more consistent RFPs.
We display average pricing information, trends and market data.
Our Reports include:
- Opportunity assessment
- Market dynamics
- Recent developments
- Positive and warning trends
- Buyer power levers
- Price environment and market pricing
- Geographic wage rates
- Global market updates
- Total cost of ownership
- Cost structure benchmarks and analysis
- Supply chain and vendors
- Global supplier breakdown
- Market share concentration
- Regulation and business requirements
- Vendor management and KPIs
- Sourcing strategy guidance
