2013 North American Cut Resistant Gloves Product Leadership Award

Transcription

1 2013 North American Cut Resistant Gloves Product Leadership Award 2013

2 Product Leadership Award Cut Resistant Gloves North America, 2013 Frost & Sullivan s Global Research Platform Frost & Sullivan is in its 50th year of business with a global research organization of 1,800 analysts and consultants who monitor more than 300 industries and 250,000 companies. The company s research philosophy originates with the CEO s 360-Degree Perspective, which serves as the foundation of its TEAM Research methodology. This unique approach enables us to determine how best-in-class companies worldwide manage growth, innovation and leadership. Based on the findings of this Best Practices research, Frost & Sullivan is proud to present the 2013 North American Product Leadership Award in Cut Resistant Gloves market to Banom. Significance of the Product Leadership Award Key Industry Challenges Injuries to fingers and hands are some of the most common workplace accidents. These injuries are preventable, and surveys show that a vast majority of employees who have suffered hand injuries were either not wearing any sort of hand protection or were wearing the wrong kinds of gloves for their tasks. Injury rates, including major and fatal injuries in the glass manufacturing and sheet metal industries, are among the highest of all industries. The cost of injury is high in terms of liability issues as well as in the number of working days lost; therefore, safety is a primary and potentially cost-saving consideration. Cut protection has garnered much interest in recent years, and many manufacturers have developed products that claim to be cut-resistant because they meet the required ASTM or EN standards. However, these standards are sometimes inadequate and do not reflect the hazards that workers in real-life situations face. For example, the ASTM Standard F , which is the Cut Protection Performance Test, measures the weight (in grams) required for a razor blade to cut through a glove on a 20-millimeter pass. The European Norms Standard, EN388, measures the number of cycles required for a rolling sharp circular blade to cut through a glove surface using a constant force. These tests do not measure the hazards that either abrasive sharp edges of sheet metal or sheet glass present. Unlike knife blades, sheet metal edges do not cut, but rather, they tear. Sheet glass, on the other hand, is a hard and brittle substance that is more prone to shatter and cause puncture injuries. Furthermore, cut injuries also depend on a number of other factors, such as edge roughness, length of edge exposed, weight, hardness, and surface texture. Because of the varied factors that contribute to cut injuries in different industries, the standard ASTM and EN cut tests should only be used as a guideline rather than as a basis. However, most products on the market are designed to meet these cut tests requirements rather than to protect the worker from the actual hazard in real-life scenarios. A need 2013 Frost & Sullivan 1 We Accelerate Growth

3 therefore exists in the market for products that are designed specifically for the task or application in which the worker is involved. Key Benchmarking Criteria for the Product Leadership Award For the Product Leadership Award, the following criteria were used to benchmark Banom s performance against key competitors: Product Features/Functionality Innovative Element of the Product Product Acceptance in the Marketplace Provides Customer Value Enhancements Product Quality Decision Support Matrix and Measurement Criteria To support its evaluation of best practices across multiple business performance categories, Frost & Sullivan employs a customized Decision Support Matrix (DSM). The DSM is an analytical tool that compares companies performance relative to each other with an integration of quantitative and qualitative metrics. The DSM features criteria unique to each Award category and ranks importance by assigning weights to each criterion. The relative weighting reflects current market conditions and illustrates the associated importance of each criterion according to Frost & Sullivan. Fundamentally, each DSM is distinct for each market and Award category. The DSM allows our research and consulting teams to objectively analyze each company's performance on each criterion relative to its top competitors and assign performance ratings on that basis. The DSM follows a 10-point scale that allows for nuances in performance evaluation; ratings guidelines are shown in Chart 1. Chart 1: Performance-Based Ratings for Decision Support Matrix This exercise encompasses all criteria, leading to a weighted average ranking of each company. Researchers can then easily identify the company with the highest ranking. As a final step, the research team confirms the veracity of the model by ensuring that small 2013 Frost & Sullivan 2 We Accelerate Growth

4 changes to the ratings for a specific criterion do not lead to a significant change in the overall relative rankings of the companies. Chart 2: Frost & Sullivan s 10-Step Process for Identifying Award Recipients Best Practice Award Analysis for Banom The Decision Support Matrix, shown in Chart 3, illustrates the relative importance of each criterion for the Product Leadership of the Year Award and the ratings for each company under evaluation. To protect the interests of the award recipient s competitors, we have chosen to refer to them as Competitor 1 and Competitor 2. Chart 3: Decision Support Matrix for Product Leadership Award Measurement of 1 10 (1 = lowest; 10 = highest) Award Criteria Features/Functionality Innovative Element of the Product Product Acceptance in the Marketplace Provides Customer Value Enhancements Product Quality Weighted Rating Relative Weight (%) 20% 20% 20% 20% 20% 100% Banom Competitor Competitor Frost & Sullivan 3 We Accelerate Growth

5 Criterion 1: Product Features/Functionality It is imperative that a successful product addresses both end user safety while also demonstrating superiority over competing products in the market in terms of dexterity, comfort, and tactility. Banom uses only high tenacity filament (HTF ) yarns for its cutresistant products for the sheet metal and sheet glass industries. In contrast with spun yarns, which comprise individual fibers that are twisted into yarns, HTF yarns utilize a bundle of continuous fibers that together have higher tensile strength and can therefore resist breaking when exposed to sheet metal edges. Banom has created several proprietary yarns to target different end applications in the sheet metal and glass industries. For the sheet metal industry, where exposure to abrasive sharp edges is a reality, Banom uses yarns such as Abratex (Duratex ) and MaxPly Dyneema. For protection against knife blades Banom has developed ArmorPlate, which is a yarn that combines tensile strength with hardness to stop the force of the cutting edge. For razor blades, Banom utilizes TriMax Dyneema, which is a composite of a glass and high tenacity Dyneema. It also uses Kevlar or glass composites for cut-resistant gloves for the sheet glass industry. In addition to the use of innovative yarns for different applications, Banom ensures that other product aspects, such as grip, comfort, and dexterity, have not been compromised. Cut-resistant gloves with a variety of coatings that are suitable for different working environments are available. For example, the PowerTrac palm coating was developed to provide additional protection and grip when handling sheet metal panels where oils and lubricants are present. The coating works by absorbing the lubricant without allowing the liquids to penetrate into the hands. It ensures a better grip and reduces the hand power required to hold the sheet metal, therefore reducing hand fatigue. Banom cut-resistant gloves are also available in a wider range of sizes when compared with competitor products. The Terminator gloves product range, for example, is available in 11 sizes. Competitors usually offer four standard sizes for the protective gloves. By offering a wider range of sizes, workers can achieve a custom fit and can perform tasks that require a high level of dexterity. Criterion 2: Innovative Element of the Product Banom stands apart from the competition by producing cut-resistant gloves that pass through an application test rather than a standard cut test. Their patented yarns are developed to protect workers from the hazards associated with a particular application or end use. The MaxPly Dyneema, for example, is an HTF yarn that uses Dyneema made in a filament structure and is plied with stretchable elastic in a patented process called the MaxPly process. This process keeps the individual fibers parallel in order to maximize cut and abrasion resistance while allowing stretch and sensitivity. Fibers that are parallel slip and roll on one another as they slide across metal burrs. In addition, they are also less likely to trap dirt, which results in reduced wear and easier cleaning. The use of the 2013 Frost & Sullivan 4 We Accelerate Growth

6 Dyneema filament provides the necessary tensile strength and resists cuts on the metal edge s rough surface. The TriMax Dyneema, on the other hand, uses a different principle in order to protect against clean-edge hazards. This yarn utilizes HTF Dyneema that is spiralwrapped around a glass core. This construction allows the glass to dull the blade while the HTF Dyneema provides cut resistance. These innovative yarns, along with other proprietary yarns that Banom has developed, form the basis for a wide range of products that offer cut protection as well as other hazards, such as chemical resistance, liquid protection, and thermal resistance. Criterion 3: Product Acceptance in the Marketplace Since its inception in 1987, Banom has become a reputed brand within the cut-resistant glove market. Frost & Sullivan's 2012 research findings show that most research participants recognize the Banom brand and its products and associate the brand with quality and performance. The use of Banom products has resulted in reduced injury rates and has therefore also lowered total spending on employees. Banom s products for the glass and sheet metal industries have a proven track record with Fortune 500 companies. The increased demand for these cut-resistant products has led to the expansion of operations in Europe. The company is also opening distribution centers in Sao Paulo, Brazil as well as Monterrey, Mexico. Criterion 4: Provides Customer Value Enhancements Banom continues to innovate and develop products that keep the end user and the end user s applications in mind. By working directly with its customers, Banom has engineered products that meet comfort, dexterity, and risk demands while taking into consideration economic concerns. Banom designs its products to remain clean through less dirt pickup as well as resistance to bacterial growth by treating its gloves with Sanifresh. Banom also offers its customers a cleaning program. The Bantex reconditioning system is a cleaning process that maintains a product s safety and integrity and returns a bacteriafree product for reuse. Banom works with each company to ensure that the Bantex process fits into its budget and inspection criteria. This process extends the lifetime of cut-resistant gloves, which reduces cost in the long run. Banom also offers a dispensing and collection system to facilitate this process of reuse. The Trackpro system is a vending or dispensing system that can maintain and control inventory movement. These dispensing systems are custom-configured for the company s individual product and usage needs. The Trackpro center is wireless and provides real-time information. Companies can record usage, limit the amount dispensed per person, and restrict available products based on the application in which they are to be used Frost & Sullivan 5 We Accelerate Growth

7 A Bantex reclamation center can be connected to the Trackpro for the collection of dirty gloves and sleeves. The Trackpro dispensing and collection system therefore provides a traceable mechanism to ensure that the dispensed products are returned for cleaning. Banom therefore strives to provide a complete solution to its customers and also helps them to achieve cost savings. Criterion 5: Product Quality Banom ensures the safety and quality of its cut-resistant gloves by subjecting them to rigorous cut tests. The products are carefully developed to fit the applications precise requirements, and Banom s direct interaction with customers ensures that the right solutions are provided. Banom has strict control over its manufacturing processes and works with partners that are compliant with the highest ISO standards. High product quality and durability enables cost savings for end users. Banom strives to position itself as an innovator of products that perform above industry standards. In high-risk tasks in industries such as sheet metal and glass manufacturing, where workers need the highest level of protection available, Banom s products are the products of choice. Competitors and end users recognize Banom products for their quality and unmatched performance. Conclusion Banom has demonstrated its commitment to innovation and its leadership in the cutresistant gloves market. Its products are unarguably superior to any competing products in the market. For these reasons, along with the company's dedication to best practices that will lead to long-term market success, Frost & Sullivan recognizes Banom with the 2013 North American Product Leadership Award in Cut Resistant Gloves market. The CEO 360-Degree Perspective TM - Visionary Platform for Growth Strategies The CEO 360-Degree Perspective model provides a clear illustration of the complex business universe in which CEOs and their management teams live today. It represents the foundation of Frost & Sullivan's global research organization and provides the basis on which companies can gain a visionary and strategic understanding of the market. The CEO 360-Degree Perspective is also a must-have requirement for the identification and analysis of best-practice performance by industry leaders. The CEO 360-Degree Perspective model enables our clients to gain a comprehensive, action-oriented understanding of market evolution and its implications for their companies growth strategies. As illustrated in Chart 4 below, the following six-step process outlines how our researchers and consultants embed the CEO 360-Degree Perspective into their analyses and recommendations Frost & Sullivan 6 We Accelerate Growth

8 Chart 4: The CEO's 360-Degree Perspective Model Critical Importance of TEAM Research Frost & Sullivan s TEAM Research methodology represents the analytical rigor of our research process. It offers a 360-degree view of industry challenges, trends, and issues by integrating all seven of Frost & Sullivan's research methodologies. Our experience has shown over the years that companies too often make important growth decisions based on a narrow understanding of their environment, leading to errors of both omission and commission. Frost & Sullivan contends that successful growth strategies are founded on a thorough understanding of market, technical, economic, financial, customer, best practices, and demographic analyses. In that vein, the letters T, E, A and M reflect our core technical, economic, applied (financial and best practices) and market analyses. The integration of these research disciplines into the TEAM Research methodology provides an evaluation platform for benchmarking industry players and for creating high-potential growth strategies for our clients Frost & Sullivan 7 We Accelerate Growth

9 Chart 5: Benchmarking Performance with TEAM Research About Frost & Sullivan Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, enables clients to accelerate growth and achieve best-in-class positions in growth, innovation and leadership. The company's Growth Partnership Service provides the CEO and the CEO's Growth Team with disciplined research and best-practice models to drive the generation, evaluation and implementation of powerful growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan leverages 50 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 40 offices on six continents. To join our Growth Partnership, please visit Frost & Sullivan 8 We Accelerate Growth