Direct Corporate Clothing

What Direct Corporate Clothing does

Direct Corporate Clothing (DCC) is a UK-based B2B contract supplier of personal protective equipment (PPE) and workwear, founded in 1999 and headquartered in Oldbury, West Midlands. Operating as a key brand within Workwear Uniform Group Ltd (WWUGL, established 2023) — described as the UK's largest independent PPE supplier — DCC serves large multi-sited organisations across rail, healthcare, hospitality, retail, construction, utilities, waste, aggregates, manufacturing, facilities management, transport and logistics, and corporate/professional services. Named customers include Network Rail, the NHS, and Sodexo, with each engagement managed through dedicated account managers rather than a catalogue or transactional model.

The company operates a vertically integrated, cradle-to-grave workwear platform. Product capabilities span head-to-toe PPE (eye, face, head, hand, hearing, respiratory, chemical protection, and safety footwear), technical workwear (hi-vis, arc flash, Gore-Tex, electrical), sustainable ranges (Birchett recycled suiting, COOLMAX technology), custom branded garments, and corporate uniforms, with inclusive options spanning female-fit, hijab, maternity, and disability-inclusive designs. Underlying technology includes a £15m robotic automated warehouse (2024) that reduces picking emissions by 75% versus typical warehouses, a best-in-class ERP integrated in real time with warehousing, and bespoke per-client online ordering portals with 24/7 availability, budget and wardrobe controls, and virtual stock reservation. 80% of output is manufactured in-house via K&D Manufacturing in Sri Lanka, with the remaining 20% sourced through a vetted global supplier network managed by GiSa International.

Revenue is generated through fully managed long-term contracts tailored per customer, encompassing sourcing, design, manufacturing, embellishment, distribution, and end-of-product-life recycling under a single managed service priced per bespoke contract (pricing not publicly disclosed). The GTM is enterprise field sales — direct engagement via website forms, phone, and dedicated account managers — with a bespoke online portal serving as the recurring order interface for ongoing contract fulfilment. DCC holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 certifications (valid through June 2025) and Disability Confident employer status, supporting compliance-led procurement in regulated sectors.

Name

Direct Corporate Clothing

Legal name

Workwear Uniform Group Ltd

Website

https://directcorporate.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Direct Corporate Clothing is a UK-based B2B contract supplier of PPE and workwear, serving large multi-sited enterprises across rail, healthcare, hospitality, and construction as a key brand within Workwear Uniform Group, the UK's largest independent PPE supplier.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workwear and PPE Supply

NAICS

Apparel Manufacturing (315), Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing (except Contractors) (31525), Footwear Manufacturing (31621)

SIC

Men's & Boys' Furnishgs, Work Clothg, & Allied Garments (2320), Wholesale-Apparel, Piece Goods & Notions (5130), Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300)

akta.pro primary industry

Workwear, Uniforms & Corporate Apparel Wholesale (CRAOADAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Disposable Protective Apparel (Coveralls, Gowns, Shoe Covers) (CRAAALAM)

Keywords

• Workwear supply
• Corporate uniforms
• Personal protective equipment
• PPE manufacturing
• Managed uniform contracts

Headquarters

HQ city

Oldbury

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Fully Managed PPE & Workwear Contracts: DCC operates as a contract-based business rather than a catalogue retailer. They create bespoke long-term contracts tailored to each customer's unique PPE and workwear needs, operational support requirements, and commercial context. Revenue is generated through ongoing contract management, sourcing, manufacturing, distribution, and end-of-product-life processing under a single managed service. Managed by dedicated account managers with SLA adherence.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Direct Corporate Clothing supplies fully managed PPE and corporate workwear contracts to large multi-sited organisations across the UK. The company designs, sources and manufactures (in-house at 80%) branded workwear and PPE, then distributes it through a £15m robotic automated warehouse and a bespoke online ordering portal under long-term bespoke contracts with dedicated account managers. End-to-end service spans design, sourcing, manufacturing, in-house embellishment, distribution and end-of-product-life recycling.

Product overview

Direct Corporate Clothing (DCC) operates as a single unified product portfolio for workwear and PPE supply, comprising five core product categories: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Technical Workwear, Sustainable Workwear, Custom/Branded Workwear, and Corporate Uniforms. The PPE category includes eight sub-products covering head-to-toe protection (eye, face, head, hand, hearing, respiratory, chemical protection, and safety footwear). Technical Workwear encompasses hi-vis clothing, Gore-Tex workwear, arc flash clothing, electrical workwear, and safety clothing. The portfolio also includes inclusive workwear options for diverse workforces. DCC's service layer complements its product range with an automated warehouse using robotics, an online ordering portal with ERP integration, and in-house branding/embellishment services. The company also offers the Birchett recycled suiting range as a sustainable product line.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Birchett: Sustainable recycled suiting range made from recycled plastic bottles and post-consumer waste. A UK industry first where every part of the garment is recycled including lining, buttons, labels, and packaging.
• COOLMAX

Products and services

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Top-to-toe PPE supply covering head, eye, face, hearing, respiratory, hand, chemical and safety footwear protection, supplied under managed contracts to multi-sited organisations across regulated industries.
• Technical Workwear Regulatory-compliant technical workwear including hi-vis, arc flash, flame resistant, Gore-Tex and electrical garments designed for industrial settings and hazardous environments.
• Corporate Uniforms Professional corporate clothing range including suits, shirts, blouses, skirts, ties and cravats, supplying branded corporate uniforms to banking, law, finance, insurance and similar professional services sectors.
• Custom Workwear / Branded Clothing Bespoke branded PPE and workwear supplied with in-house embroidery and heat-seal embellishment, enabling customer-specific logos, names and identity across large contract orders.
• Sustainable Workwear Eco-friendly workwear options including recycled fabrics, COOLMAX moisture-wicking technology, the Birchett recycled suiting range and sustainable packaging, supporting customers' ESG and sustainability goals.
• Inclusive Workwear Workwear and PPE designed for diverse workforces, including female-fit sizing, on-brand hijab, maternity wear, menopause-specific ranges and disability-inclusive options.
• Automated Warehouse & Logistics Service Robotic automated warehousing service backed by a £15m investment, providing ultra-fast picking, real-time stock and dispatch data, and a 75% reduction in carbon emissions per pick versus typical warehouses.
• Bespoke Online Ordering Portal Bespoke web-based ordering portal available 24/7 for each client, supporting ordering, tracking, returns, stock levels, special orders, and budget/wardrobe controls, integrated with the ERP for real-time dispatch information.
• Birchett Recycled Suiting Range UK industry-first 100% recycled suiting range made from post-consumer waste including plastic bottles, where every component (lining, buttons, labels and packaging) is also recycled.

Quantifiable outcome

• 75% reduction in carbon emissions per pick vs typical warehouses
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments13 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, key supplier, key product and minor.

• GiSa InternationalcoreTechnology or IntegrationGiSa International is the Group's Global Sourcing, Quality and Sustainability office, specialising in textiles, fabrics, raw materials, apparel, footwear and PPE. Through GiSa, DCC has access to a vast global network of audited suppliers and the visibility and control to guarantee sustainable and ethical operations at every stage of the supply chain.
• K&D ManufacturingcoreTechnology or IntegrationK&D Manufacturing is DCC's Sri Lanka-based factory and manufacturing partner which operates as a business in its own right. Specialising in zero waste manufacturing from sustainability sourced materials, K&D is a key strategic partner enabling rapid product turnaround with minimal bottlenecks. The facility uses state-of-the-art machinery to repurpose fabric offcuts into carpet underlay.
• IncorporatewearcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIncorporatewear (ICW) specialises in bespoke, precision-crafted uniforms for travel, retail, banking and other sectors. Where DCC focuses on large coordinated rollouts of off-the-shelf branded PPE and workwear, ICW provides bespoke uniform design. Both companies share facilities and expertise to provide greater service and range of solutions.
• Workwear Uniform Group BVcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorkwear Uniform Group BV (WWUGL BV) is the Netherlands-based distribution hub enabling EU-based customers to be serviced more quickly with more competitive pricing. It allows centralised stock management for EU customers for rapid delivery, combining both DCC and ICW capabilities.
• Gore-Texkey supplierTechnology or IntegrationDCC offers a range of Gore-Tex workwear providing waterproof, windproof, and breathable protection for workers. Gore-Tex products are trusted across industries for their durable, waterproof, windproof, and breathable properties, used by high voltage workers, railway workers, oil and gas operatives, firefighters, defence personnel and more.
• Birchett (Recycled Suiting Range)key productTechnology or IntegrationBirchett is DCC's own sustainable suiting range made from recycled plastic bottles and post-consumer waste. A UK industry first, every single part of the garment is recycled including the lining, buttons, labels and packaging.
• COOLMAXkey supplierTechnology or IntegrationDCC offers garments made from COOLMAX Technology, either from 100% recycled PET bottles or 100% pre-consumer textile waste from cutting rooms. COOLMAX is a family of polyester fibres designed to help wearers beat the heat through industry-leading moisture-wicking.
• Heart of EnglandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDCC works with Heart of England as 'planting guardians' to support the planting of 30,000 acres by 2025, contributing to reforestation and environmental sustainability goals.
• DPDminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDPD is DCC's logistics partner for deliveries. DPD is increasingly investing in electric fleets to reduce the emissions associated with every delivery, supporting DCC's carbon neutral logistics plans.
• Workwear Uniform GroupcoreOthersWorkwear Uniform Group Ltd (WWUGL) is the parent company established in 2023, comprising DCC, Incorporatewear, and other brands. WWUGL is the UK's largest independent PPE supplier, enabling end-to-end cradle-to-grave workwear solutions spanning sourcing, design, manufacturing, distribution, and end-of-product-life processing.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Arco: Arco is the UK's leading PPE distributor and a broad incumbent in the same workwear/PPE category as DCC. Both serve large multi-sited enterprise customers across construction, rail, utilities, and manufacturing with managed contracts, though Arco is significantly larger and operates broader product and service lines including safety training.
• Bunzl: Bunzl is a FTSE 100 global distribution group that distributes workwear, PPE, and safety supplies to enterprise customers across 30+ countries. It overlaps with DCC in the workwear/PPE wholesale category but at much greater scale and with a far broader non-apparel portfolio.
• Lyreco: Lyreco is a major European distributor of workplace supplies including PPE, workwear, hygiene, and office products. It competes with DCC for enterprise workplace supply contracts but operates across a much broader product and service portfolio and serves 25+ countries.
• Rubix (formerly Brammer Buck & Hickman): Rubix is a European industrial supplies distributor that supplies PPE, workwear, tools, and MRO products to industrial customers. It overlaps with DCC in PPE and technical workwear for manufacturing, utilities, and construction but operates across far broader industrial categories.
• Travis Perkins: Travis Perkins is a UK builders' merchant and tool/PPE retailer that supplies workwear and safety equipment to construction trades and contractors. It overlaps with DCC in construction PPE but operates through a trade-counter retail model rather than managed contracts.

Direct peers

• Simon Jersey: Simon Jersey is a UK-based specialist supplier of corporate uniforms and workwear to large organisations across sectors including retail, hospitality, transport, and healthcare. It directly competes with DCC's corporate clothing and managed-contract offering, particularly in the rail and retail verticals.
• Workwear Express: Workwear Express is a UK workwear and PPE supplier offering embroidered and printed branded clothing to businesses of all sizes. It overlaps with DCC on custom branded workwear and PPE but typically serves mid-market customers through a more catalogue/e-commerce model rather than fully managed enterprise contracts.
• Wearwell UK: Wearwell is a UK workwear and PPE supplier with comparable focus on multi-site enterprise customers and a broad product portfolio spanning hi-vis, flame-resistant, and corporate uniforms. It is a direct peer in both target customer (large UK employers) and product category.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DCCworkwear

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Direct Corporate Clothing