Abstract
Research Overview
Increased Price Pressure Forcing Manufacturers to Re-evaluate Production
The western European markets for above-the-neck personal protective equipment
(PPE) are highly dynamic and pose several challenges for suppliers. While the
market has seen a spate of mergers and acquisitions in recent times,
increasing levels of price sensitivity among end users is forcing market
participants to re-evaluate their production options. In improving their cost
competitiveness, European manufacturers are already evaluating the Far East,
particularly China, as outsourcing destinations for production activities.
Further, some industry participants have also relocated their production
facilities from high-cost western economies to low-cost regions such as the
Far East.
New Generation Integrated Systems and Niche Markets Offer Market Opportunities
As the needs of the end-user industries become increasingly sophisticated, the
application landscape of above-the-neck safety equipment is undergoing a
change. Customers are beginning to demand high-end products at competitive
prices, and integrated systems that represent an 'all in one' product are
increasingly preferred among some end-user industries such as welding. While
highly demanding industries such as metal processing, bulk materials handling,
site demolition and decommissioning can also benefit from integrated systems,
niche markets such as laser eye safety and electronic earmuffs, still in their
infancy stage, offer good scope for above-the-neck PPE industry participants.
However, end-user awareness in certain applications remains low, calling for a
greater effort in improving customer education. For example, in the eye
protection market, safety goggles are sometimes used for applications that
actually require a safety spectacle. "Apart from raising awareness levels
among end users, market participants will also have to address the low level
of acceptance and worker attitudes in certain countries, something that is
apparent across many types of PPE," notes the analyst of this research
service." While northern Europe has been more proactive in the use of
above-the-neck PPE, southern Europe has been relatively slow in adopting the
same."
Central and Eastern Europe Emerge as Upcoming Markets for PPE
Regionally, Germany and the United Kingdom are the largest revenue generating
markets for above-the-neck PPE, with Germany accounting for around 22.0 per
cent of the market revenues. Eastern Europe is also fast becoming an important
market for European producers from both a consumer and production point of
view and central and eastern European regions are assuming increasing
strategic significance as upcoming markets for PPE. In respect to individual
product trends, eye protection accounts for the largest revenues and the
market for hearing protection has also witnessed a tremendous boost with the
introduction of electronic earmuffs.
"Overall, while the above-the-neck PPE market in western Europe is relatively
saturated; legislation, education, technical innovation and replacement of
safety equipment ensure the market to be dynamic," says the analyst.
"Successful companies will be eager to invest in research and development to
push back the limits of technology, thus gaining an early mover advantage."
Table of Contents
- 1. Executive Summary
- 1. Introduction to the Industry
- 1. Introduction to the Industry
- 2. Product Groups
- 2. Summary of Major Findings
- 1. Market Drivers and Restraints
- 2. Trends by Product Type
- 3. Competitive Analysis
- 4. Conclusions
- 2. Industry Challenges and Research Methodology
- 1. Challenges Facing Above-the-neck PPE Industry Participants
- 1. Identification of Challenges
- 2. Exchange Rates
- 3. Glossary of Terms
- 3. Forecasts for the Western European Market for Above-the-neck PPE
- 1. Forecasts of the Total Market
- 1. Overview and Definitions
- 2. The PPE Directive: A Brief Overview
- 3. Market Engineering Measurements
- 4. Market Drivers
- a. Education and Awareness Offer Greater Acceptance of Products
- b. Legislation for Above-the-neck PPE Drives the Sale
- c. Technical Performance of the Protective Equipment is its Unique
Selling Point
- d. Increasing Corporate Acceptance Driving Usage of Above-the-neck PPE
- e. Major Accidents Publicising the Need For Above-the-neck PPEf.
E-commerce Implementation Offers Attractive Opportunities
- 5. Market Restraints
- a. Improvement in Manufacturing Processes Eliminates the Need for
Safety Equipment
- b. Shrinking Manufacturing Industry has a Knock-on Effect
- c. Relatively Saturated Above-the-neck PPE Market Offers Limited
Opportunities
- d. Low Safety Standards in Some Industries and Regions Affecting Sales
- e. Higher Price Sensitivity of End Users Offers Way in for Low Quality
Products
- f. Slower Replacement Rates Curtailing the Sale of Safety Equipment
- 6. Revenue Forecasts
- 7. Other Market Trends and Analysis
- 8. Competitive Structure
- 2. Above-the-neck PPE Market in UK and Ireland
- 1. Market Forecasts
- 2. Competitive Structure
- 3. Above-the-neck PPE Market in Scandinavia
- 1. Market Forecasts
- 2. Competitive Structure
- 4. Above-the-neck PPE Market in Germany
- 1. Market Forecasts
- 2. Competitive Structure
- 5. Above-the-neck PPE Market in Benelux
- 1. Market Forecasts
- 2. Competitive Structure
- 6. Above-the-neck PPE Market in France
- 1. Market Forecasts
- 2. Competitive Structure
- 7. Above-the-neck PPE Market in Iberia
- 1. Market Forecasts
- 2. Competitive Structure
- 8. Above-the-neck PPE Market in Italy
- 1. Market Forecasts
- 2. Competitive Structure
- 9. Above-the-neck PPE Market in Alpine
- 1. Market Forecasts
- 2. Competitive Structure
- 4. Head Protection Equipment Market
- 1. Total Head Protection Market
- 1. Introduction and Definitions
- 2. Market Engineering Measurements
- 3. Market Drivers and Restraints
- 4. Revenue Forecasts
- 5. Competitive Structure
- 2. Helmets
- 1. Introduction and Product Design Trends
- 2. Revenue Forecasts and Price Trends
- 3. Market Share Analysis
- 3. Bump Caps
- 1. Introduction and Product Design Trends
- 2. Revenue Forecasts and Price Trends
- 3. Market Share Analysis
- 4. Fire Safety Helmets
- 1. Introduction and Product Design Trends
- 2. Revenue Forecasts and Price Trends
- 3. Market Share Analysis
- 5. Eye Protection Equipment Market
- 1. Total Eye Protection Market
- 1. Introduction and Definitions
- 2. Market Engineering Measurements
- 3. Market Drivers and Restraints
- 4. Revenue Forecasts
- 5. Competitive Structure
- 6. Technology Overview: Laser Safety Eyewear
- 2. Safety Spectacles
- 1. Introduction and Product Design Trends
- 2. Revenue Forecasts and Price Trends
- 3. Market Share Analysis
- 3. Safety Goggles
- 1. Introduction and Product Design Trends
- 2. Revenue Forecasts and Price Trends
- 3. Market Share Analysis
- 4. Face Shields and Welding Protection
- 1. Introduction and Product Design Trends
- 2. Revenue Forecasts and Price Trends
- 3. Market Share Analysis
- 6. Hearing Protection Equipment Market
- 1. Total Hearing Protection Market
- 1. Introduction and Definitions
- 2. Market Engineering Measurements
- 3. Market Drivers and Restraints
- 4. Revenue Forecasts
- 5. Competitive Structure
- 2. Ear Plugs
- 1. Introduction and Product Design Trends
- 2. Revenue Forecasts and Price Trends
- 3. Market Share Analysis
- 3. Passive Ear Muffs
- 1. Introduction and Product Design Trends
- 2. Revenue Forecasts and Price Trends
- 3. Market Share Analysis
- 4. Electronic Ear Muffs
- 1. Introduction and Product Design Trends
- 2. Revenue Forecasts and Price Trends
- 3. Market Share Analysis
- 7. Market Engineering Strategy
- 1. Strategic Recommendations
- 1. Five Forces Analysis
- 2. Growth Strategies
- 8. Database for Key Industry Participants
- 1. Market Participants
- 1. Manufacturers of Above-the-neck PPE
- 2. Distributors
- 3. Industry Associations