Irish Rail has proudly launched a landmark new uniform collection, curated and produced in collaboration with Tailored Image. This new wardrobe is a progressive move in response to the requirement from the customer for a comfortable, practical and durable solution to clothing its esteemed workforce.
Irish Rail (Iarnród Éireann) is the national rail operator of Ireland with a remit which extends to regional, local commuter networks and the Dublin Area Rapid Transport network (DART). The company employs over 2,000 staff across 144 stations throughout the country.
Before entering into a partnership with Tailored Image, the customer had struggled with shade inconsistencies and this was as issue this new brief was keen to address. A standardised approach to branding was a pivotal point with a focus on better visibility of branding on outer garments in particular.
As with other transport companies, Irish Rail staff are exposed to a variety of weather conditions and with the unpredictability of Irish weather, a layered approach would be an important aspect of any design brief. As well as the climatic conditions, the brief should also take note of the nature of daily roles of staff (from train drivers to customer service staff, ticketing staff and engineers), the need for a consistent corporate image and the health & safety of wearers. Consideration was also to be given to how a uniform’s lifecycle could be extended beyond its original use.
Wearer comfort was a key consideration. Not only should staff look good and present a professional corporate image in their new garments, they should also feel comfortable and confident whilst doing so. In Tailored Image’s experience, the more comfortable the wearer, the more inclined they are to present a genuinely positive impression on customers, so this was a point we were keen to help them address.
Irish Rail appointed a Uniform Panel to help manage the design and procurement process and working closely with this panel, the Tailored Image Technical Team were able to take their requests and ideas and translate them into wearable solutions.
As part of the design concept, the Uniform Panel requested that the logo colours considered within the buttons, trim, collars, internal linings be applied/used subtly. The use of these colours is in keeping with the overall design concept. The message of “One Team” was also to be clearly displayed throughout the suite of garments to reiterate to staff the importance of their role within this concept and our undertakings in terms of the clients CX promises.
As a result of this collaborative process, a brand new, striking and impressive uniform collection was produced which ticks all the boxes of the core design principles: comfortable, stylish and easily identifiable.
A diverse range of garments is now available to staff across all departments including Customer Service, Ticketing, Engineers and Train Drivers. For customer facing staff, a traditional suiting solution was selected, complete with embroidered colours for buttonholes and a logo for the lapels in line with the brief. The look is complete with clip on ties, cravats and scarves which set off the final look beautifully to create a professional, yet approachable aesthetic. Branded knitwear is also included in this particular wardrobe to add a layer of warmth for the colder months.
A polo shirt and workwear trousers (or shorts for summer months) form the base for those driving and maintaining trains, to provide a comfortable and practical solution to cater for the more physical demands of these roles. Perhaps the standout item in the collection is the padded jacket which features subtle embossing of the Irish Rail logo to create a truly unique garment. A waterproof jacket is also available with beanies and gloves to complete the wardrobe for ultimate protection in colder and wetter climates.
The uniform range is layered and adaptable to diverse working conditions with features including:
• Next-to-skin items such as breathable cotton-rich shirts.
• Moisture-wicking polos to keep wearers dry during activity.
• Knitwear and quilted jackets featuring zip-out sleeves and interactive design with waterproof outer layers allowing wearers to react quickly to temperature changes.
In keeping with Irish Rail’s sustainability goals, Tailored Image adopted a sustainable-by-design approach to garment production, including the use of fully recyclable polyester, BCI Cotton sourced from Better Cotton Initiative farms and stretch fabric and durable blends which improve garment longevity. Included with each uniform delivery is a repair kit with brand-coloured threads and replacement buttons included to empower wearers to make minor repairs, reducing unnecessary disposal.
Once garments have come to the end of their natural life cycle, Tailored Image facilitates recycling via two different streams. One involves the shredding of garments into fabric strips which are then used to stuff dog beds and other related items. The other rather unique option processes garments transforms old garments into awards to be distributed at Irish Rail’s Customer Service Awards, celebrating employee achievement. Both of these options ensure secure, socially conscious handling of uniforms at end-of-life.
To manage the roll out of this uniform suite, as well as facilitating any new orders or return queries, Irish Rail have availed of Tailored Image’s bespoke customer online ordering platform. This allows for ordering of uniforms by each individual wearer, enabling them to avail of the guidance on sizing and professional imagery of each garment for visibility and clarity of style. Home deliveries took place over a 3-week period to over 2000 wearers, with the uniforms delivered in recyclable plastic bags in order to minimise waste.
Speaking of the uniform design and procurement process, Irish Rail’s Daniel Kavanagh commented: ‘We’re really delighted with our new uniform collection provided by Tailored Image. Their Fully Managed Service has been excellent throughout. From the initial discussions, through the design process and right through to now when all items have been delivered, the Tailored Image team continues to prioritise our satisfaction and that of our staff. We’ve achieved a result we can all be very proud of and our staff have had excellent feedback – a tremendous success all round!’
To find out more about what Tailored Image can do for your transport company, why not Contact Us today.
