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: Hitting the haulage catwalks, • which operator's fashion : lines will. be bang on trend this season? CM finds out Words:Joanna Bourke
TNT
range may be the desired skin colour of a WAG, but it is also the bright, fruity, tone associated with express giant TNT. A company spokesman says he believes the orange-and-black combo is bright and easily distinguishable: "Our drivers are front-line ambassadors, having more face-to-face contact with customers than anyone else in the business. They have to look the part, and we believe they do."
The bomber jacket and tracksuit attire could be considered a little 1980s shell suit-style. While this was once a bit, we're not sure the outfit would grace GQ magazine today. But, it gets high marks for practicality: drivers will be kept warm and the brightness of the outfit means they can be seen in the dark. The polo shirt and black trousers clearly managed to catch the eye of the ladies in this office.
UPS
(.1.)hen UPS was formed in 1919, Pullman Railways was quite an iconic brand in the US, and UPS wanted to replicate that with its vehicles and uniforms — hence the decision to adopt the brown. In practical terms it also hides the appearance of dirt. Since then, the sight of a driver clad in the UPS brown has become an iconic symbol of the company. "This year, the London 2012 logo has become the first partner logo to be applied alongside the iconic brown and gold UPS shield to all 2,800 uniforms in the UK. TIPS drivers now receive four shirts when they order their uniform, giving them the option to choose which London 2012 logo colour — blue, green, orange or pink — they wear each day." says a spokesman.
Drivers are given a choice of logo colour, and all uniforms are measured to exact collar and trouser leg size.
The uniform is smart, recognisable and particularly easy on the eye. Is brown the new black though?
MEACHERS GLOBAL LOGISTICS
Gary Whittle, Meachers commercial director, says: "Our drivers wear grey polo shirts with our logo on so we can demonstrate to customers that we are all proud of our identity. Also, it identifies the drivers to customers when on site."
The shirt ticks all the boxes and does what it says it does on the tin, but lacks a certain fashonista oomph.
FED-EX
he parcel carrier tells CM that its uniform has gradually evolved over the years via the input of employees, taking into account what is practical and comfortable. Navy with a purple strip, Fed-Ex's uniform is neat and simple.
All the boxes are ticked in terms of clothing variety. The company's UK clothing catalogue includes baseball cap, summer hat, woolly hat, T-shirts, jumpers, jackets, vests and even a purple, reflective, armband ID holder, which provides high visibility at night. While the outfit is inoffensive, CM feels it is a little reminiscent of a police uniform, and could do with a little more colour and excitement. Blow-dried hair optional.
NIGHTLINE
Bold, bright and fresh, Nightline's uniform should aid the company's expansion into Britain. The firm says its quirky lime-green colour separates it from the competition.
There is the potential for the colour to expose any stains, but this minor point is more than compensated for by the bright uniform that indicates a fun, ambitious and confident company.