Norway-based Wenaas, the global oil & gas industry’s leading workwear & PPE supplier, has strengthened its presence in the UK by appointing the JBS Group as its supplier for the UK oil & gas industry from Aberdeen.

The announcement comes as Wenaas, the safety expert, marks the sale of its one millionth Ambassador coverall, the offshore oil & gas industry’s leading fire retardant coverall.

JBS will provide Wenaas products through new premises in Bridge of Don, which together with a new website, represents a £1 million investment.

The Aberdeen premises allows JBS to provide fast delivery of products including one of the quickest turnaround times in the industry for embroidery, heat seal and garment alteration services. A walk-in trade counter and showroom enable JBS to offer PPE and safety training from industry experts. Recent training days included talks by Wenaas representatives from Norway on flame retardant garment and glove standards and innovations.

JBS currently holds over £3million of Wenaas fire retardant stock, a high level for an Aberdeen workwear supplier.

Grattan Boyle, chairman of the JBS Group, said: “Our high quality distribution service and fast turnaround on orders have established our strong reputation within the oil & gas industry. This is a major area of focus for Wenaas and aligning ourselves means that we can offer customers world leading products with an exceptional service.”

Lee Taylor has also been appointed as UK business development manager for Wenaas and will be responsible for communicating the new and highly innovative offshore range to customers, including the re-branding of all Odin gloves and all Forma footwear to Wenaas to support the Wenaas head-to-toe safety philosophy.

Lee said: “The challenge to maximise energy reserves is producing increasingly dangerous conditions for offshore workers, such as extreme temperatures, deeper drilling depths and general inexperience of ever dealing with these conditions before.

“Developing new workwear which is specifically suited to the tough environment of the oil & gas industry is a major focus of our business and product development is high on the Wenaas agenda. Our focus on new product development is expected to see an increase in turnover from £62million in 2013 to £78million in 2014, with a continued target increase of 25% year on year.

“Working with JBS, a well-established distributor to this sector, has significantly strengthened our offering and will ensure that our innovative products are visible to the right people.”