Profile of Cosalt: a European provider of protective apparel with global ambitions
UK-based Cosalt has evolved from a diversified industrial group into a specialist provider of safety wear and equipment to people working in hostile environments on land and at sea.
The company has a long-standing reputation as a provider of high quality critical safety equipment for a broad range of applications. It is a market leader in marine safety products in Europe and in personal protective equipment (PPE) in the UK.
The company has a comprehensive safety product portfolio which ranges from life jackets and immersion suits to high visibility workwear and firefighter suits. Likewise, its customer base is wide and includes companies operating in the commercial and leisure marine industry, as well as emergency service providers and defence contractors.
Cosalt enjoys solid demand for its products and services, helped by increasingly stringent regulations governing the supply of critical safety equipment and legislation relating to marine safety.
That said, the company’s sales grew by only 2.7% in its 2008/09 financial year after declining by 22.3% a year earlier. This lacklustre performance is attributed to weak economic conditions, causing customers to hold back on their purchases and investments. Profits tumbled by 67% after growing by almost 10% a year earlier.
Nonetheless, Cosalt is upbeat about its long-term prospects. It believes that the scope of its expertise and comprehensive portfolio of products will enable it to cement its position in marine safety in the European market and, in so doing, achieve a leading position in the global market.
The company has a long-standing reputation as a provider of high quality critical safety equipment for a broad range of applications. It is a market leader in marine safety products in Europe and in personal protective equipment (PPE) in the UK.
The company has a comprehensive safety product portfolio which ranges from life jackets and immersion suits to high visibility workwear and firefighter suits. Likewise, its customer base is wide and includes companies operating in the commercial and leisure marine industry, as well as emergency service providers and defence contractors.
Cosalt enjoys solid demand for its products and services, helped by increasingly stringent regulations governing the supply of critical safety equipment and legislation relating to marine safety.
That said, the company’s sales grew by only 2.7% in its 2008/09 financial year after declining by 22.3% a year earlier. This lacklustre performance is attributed to weak economic conditions, causing customers to hold back on their purchases and investments. Profits tumbled by 67% after growing by almost 10% a year earlier.
Nonetheless, Cosalt is upbeat about its long-term prospects. It believes that the scope of its expertise and comprehensive portfolio of products will enable it to cement its position in marine safety in the European market and, in so doing, achieve a leading position in the global market.
SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION
Markets
Corporate structure
COMPANY DEVELOPMENT
PRODUCTS AND MARKETS
Cosalt Workwear
Stanley Workwear
Fire and rescue gear
Defence and security personal protective equipment (PPE)
Specialised personal protective equipment (PPE) for the rail maintenance industry
SALES AND DISTRIBUTION
Marine division
QUALITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
Quality management
Environmental issues
Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI)
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
OUTLOOK
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Cosalt: safety and workwear products
Table 2: Cosalt: key financial data, 2005-2009
Table 1: Cosalt: safety and workwear products
Table 2: Cosalt: key financial data, 2005-2009
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Cosalt organisational structure
Figure 2: Nineteen of Cosalt’s branches are fully approved life raft and life jacket service stations
Figure 3: Cosalt offshore lifting, tooling and marine services for the oil and gas industry
Figure 4: Cosalt Crewfit 275N Plus high performance life jacket
Figure 5: Cosalt’s Hydra High Volume Pump 2-piece suit
Figure 6: Cosalt rail compliant PPE clothing made from high performance fabrics
Figure 7: Cosalt Hi Vis Gore-Tex clothing which complies with GO/RT 3279
Figure 8: Cosalt sales by division, 2009
Figure 1: Cosalt organisational structure
Figure 2: Nineteen of Cosalt’s branches are fully approved life raft and life jacket service stations
Figure 3: Cosalt offshore lifting, tooling and marine services for the oil and gas industry
Figure 4: Cosalt Crewfit 275N Plus high performance life jacket
Figure 5: Cosalt’s Hydra High Volume Pump 2-piece suit
Figure 6: Cosalt rail compliant PPE clothing made from high performance fabrics
Figure 7: Cosalt Hi Vis Gore-Tex clothing which complies with GO/RT 3279
Figure 8: Cosalt sales by division, 2009
