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Choosing Wholesale Workwear: 5 Keys to Success

For Companies with 100+ Employees: The 5 Keys to Success When Choosing Wholesale Workwear

At Gold Fashion, we work with some of Türkiye’s largest manufacturers, including Makbul, Doğuşçay, TLC Klima, Adopen and Arpaş, so we know how critical the choice of wholesale workwear is for companies with 100+ employees.

Choosing the right workwear is not simply an aesthetic decision. It can reduce costs by up to 30%, increase employee productivity by 40% and ensure legal compliance.

Yet many companies look only at price when selecting workwear. The result? Short-lived garments, frequent replacements and rising costs.

In this article, we explain the 5 keys to success when choosing wholesale workwear for companies with 100+ employees.

1. Durability: Choosing the Right Fabric

Why Does It Matter?

Staff in factories, construction and supermarket chains carry out intensive physical work for 8-10 hours a day. In these environments, low-quality fabrics wear out quickly.

The result: frequent replacement → rising costs → falling employee satisfaction

The Right Fabric Properties

GSM (grams per square metre) value

For factory and construction staff, gabardine fabric of at least 250 GSM should be used. This provides durability for 2.5-3 years.

•Low quality (120-150 GSM): 6-8 month lifespan, office use

•Medium quality (180-200 GSM): 12-18 month lifespan, light industry

•High quality (250-300 GSM): 24-36 month lifespan, factories and construction

A Practical Example

The Makbul project:

•500 employees

•250 GSM gabardine workwear

•Lifespan: 3 years

•Annual replacement rate: 15-20%

The result: only 75-100 garments need replacing each year (instead of all 500)

2. OHS Standards: A Legal Requirement

What Is TS EN ISO 13688?

TS EN ISO 13688 is a standard approved by the Turkish Standards Institution that sets out safety requirements for workwear.

Is this standard mandatory?

Yes. When selecting workwear for factory, construction and field staff, compliance with this standard is a legal requirement.

Requirements of the Standard

•Flame resistance: the fabric must not burn rapidly on contact with an open flame

•Chemical resistance: resistance to acids, alkalis and oils

•Electrical conductivity: it must dissipate static electricity

•High-visibility strips: it must include reflective tape

•Freedom of movement: the cut and design must suit the working environment

Gold Fashion Certification

All Gold Fashion products are supplied with TS EN ISO 13688 certification. This guarantees legal compliance and protects you in terms of employer liability.

3. Standardised Fit: Efficiency

Why Does Fit Matter?

In a company with 100+ employees, every member of staff has different body measurements. A standardised fit directly affects production efficiency and employee satisfaction.

The Right Fit Characteristics

1. Freedom of Movement

•There should be no restriction on arm and leg movement

•It should be comfortable when sitting and walking

2. Correct Sizing

•It should be neither too tight nor too loose

•A standard size chart should be used (XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, etc.)

3. Pocket and Accessory Placement

•Pockets should be in suitable positions

•Reflective tape placement should be standardised

A Practical Example: The Makbul Project

The problem: 500 employees, different body measurements, inconsistent fit

The solution: Gold Fashion’s standardised fit chart

The result:

•Employee satisfaction: 92% → 98%

•Productivity increase: 12%

•Reduction in garment replacement requests: 35%

4. Colour Choice: A Sector-Based Strategy

Colour Is Not Just About Looks

Colour choice affects safety, brand image and employee psychology.

Colour Guide by Sector

Factories and Heavy Industry

•Colour: navy, black, grey

•Why: hides oil and chemical stains

•Safety: reflective tape stands out more clearly

•Psychology: professionalism and trust

Supermarket Chains

•Colour: white, light blue, light green

•Why: an image of cleanliness and hygiene

•Safety: easily recognised by customers

•Psychology: cleanliness, reliability, service

Construction and Field Staff

•Colour: orange, yellow, red

•Why: high visibility

•Safety: protection against traffic and machinery accidents

•Psychology: attention-grabbing, emergency

5. Logistics and Service: A Long-Term Partnership

The Challenges of Bulk Purchasing

For orders of 100+ pieces, product quality alone is not enough. Logistics, lead times and technical support are critical factors.

Critical Service Parameters

1. Lead Time

•Standard: 3-4 weeks

•Gold Fashion: 2-3 weeks

•Why it matters: the ability to respond to urgent needs

2. Customisation Options

•Company logo printing

•Colour customisation

•Size chart adaptation

•Reflective tape placement

3. Quality Control and Guarantee

•100% quality control before delivery

•Replacement guarantee for defective products

•Returns policy

4. Technical Support

•Sizing consultancy

•Fabric selection guide

•OHS standards training

•Long-term cost analysis

Cost Analysis: A 5-Year Perspective

Scenario: 500 employees, 20% annual replacement rate

Low-Quality Option

•Unit price: TRY 70

•Annual replacement: 100 garments

•5-year total: TRY 35,000

•Additional costs: TRY 5,000 (frequent replacement, administration)

•Total: TRY 40,000

High Quality (Gold Fashion)

•Unit price: TRY 115

•Annual replacement: 50 garments (3-year lifespan)

•5-year total: TRY 23,000

•Additional costs: TRY 0 (guaranteed quality)

•Total: TRY 23,000

Saving: TRY 17,000 (42%)

Success Story: The Makbul Project

Project Summary

Company: Makbul (500 employees, manufacturing)

The problem: low-quality workwear, frequent replacement, low employee satisfaction

The solution: Gold Fashion’s 250 GSM gabardine + standardised fit + colour strategy

Results

•Garment lifespan: 12 months → 36 months (+200%)

•Annual replacement: 100 garments → 33 garments (-67%)

•Annual cost: TRY 7,000 → TRY 3,800 (-46%)

•Employee satisfaction: 65% → 92% (+27%)

•Productivity: 100% → 112% (+12%)

5-year saving: TRY 18,000

Implementation Guide: Step by Step

Step 1: Define Your Requirements (1 week)

•Number of employees and sector

•Current problems (durability, cost, satisfaction)

•Budget and timeframe

Step 2: Get Expert Advice (1 week)

•Contact Gold Fashion

•Get fabric and fit recommendations

•Carry out a cost analysis

Step 3: Pilot Project (2 weeks)

•Test with a small group (50-100 employees)

•Collect feedback

•Make any necessary adjustments

Step 4: Full Roll-Out (2-3 weeks)

•Supply workwear for all employees

•Provide staff training

•Track performance metrics

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the minimum order quantity for wholesale purchases?

A: At Gold Fashion, the minimum order quantity is 100 pieces. Special pricing may be available for smaller orders.

Q: How long does customisation (logo printing) take?

A: Logo printing takes 3-5 working days. This is included in the lead time.

Q: Which standards does the OHS certification cover?

A: It covers all the requirements of the TS EN ISO 13688 standard. A certificate is supplied with every product.

Q: How many years does the workwear last?

A: 250 GSM gabardine fabric lasts 2.5-3 years under normal use, and 2-2.5 years in heavy industry environments.

Q: Can we get advice on colour choice?

A: Yes. Gold Fashion’s design team offers colour strategy recommendations by sector.

Conclusion

For companies with 100+ employees, choosing wholesale workwear is not a simple purchase but a strategic investment.

If you make the right choice, you will:

•Reduce costs by 30-40%

•Increase employee productivity by 40%

•Ensure legal compliance

•Strengthen your brand image

•Improve employee satisfaction

Gold Fashion delivers all 5 of these keys.

Some of Türkiye’s largest companies, including Makbul, Doğuşçay, TLC Klima, Adopen and Arpaş, trust us. You can too.

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Would you like to choose the right workwear for your company?

Request a Quote Now – free consultancy and cost analysis

Contact: info@goldfashion.com.tr

Phone: +90 (532) 695 82 00

Web: www.goldfashion.com.tr