Charles Hughes, son of a small farmer on the Wild Atlantic coast, was determined to have the best workwear and footwear when he founded his business in 1904. To this day, his core principles of exceptional design, quality, value, and service still apply.
The Beginning
* 1904 – Charles Hughes founded his footwear and drapery shop in Westport
* 1912 – Eight years later, he started a wholesale business.
Second Generation
* 1945 – Started a clothing factory during the war years. This is now Portwest UC.
* 1970s – Pádraig also founded Hotel Westport and Carraig Donn, as the textile industry was in decline.
Third Generation
* 1978 – Cathal and Harry join the family business. Harry took leadership over the two factories in Westport and Castlerea, where over 100 sewing machinists worked. Production shifted from shirts to workwear, with a turnover of £200,000.
* 1983 – Owen joins the retail and wholesale division.
Fourth Generation
* Since 2015 – James, Orla, Stephanie, Henry, and Cathal J. Hughes have joined the family business, overseeing and working in various departments.
Mission
To be the world’s best supplier of protective wear through customer focus, innovation, service, and value, all delivered with passion and care.
Vision
To be the world’s most requested and trusted protective wear brand.
The Sales Department
The Sales Department at Portwest is vital to the company's success, driving sales and building strong customer relationships. Our global team of Field Sales Representatives operate in over 70 countries, acting as the link between Portwest and its customers.
Key responsibilities include:
* Building strong customer bonds: Understanding specific needs.
* Product expertise: Mastering knowledge of Portwest’s workwear & PPE offerings.
* Customer support & training: Equipping clients with product knowledge.
* Collaboration: Working closely with internal teams for a seamless experience.
This role is crucial in achieving sales goals and establishing Portwest as a leading safety solutions provider worldwide.
Marketing
The Marketing Department manages Portwest’s brand identity and market success. The team includes:
* Brand Champions: Maintaining a consistent brand image.
* Product Powerhouse: Promoting Portwest’s solutions.
* Campaign Strategists: Executing targeted marketing initiatives.
Together, they develop marketing strategies that promote growth and strengthen Portwest’s position in the safety industry.
Markets
The Markets team supports sales by:
* Customer Focus: Assisting with customer needs and market management.
* The Feedback Loop: Gathering customer insights for product improvements.
* Building Relationships: Organizing international visits and sales conferences.
This team fosters strong customer connections and contributes to product development and satisfaction.
Product Development
Based in Manchester and Westport, this team creates innovative workwear, footwear, PPE, and more. Their expertise includes:
* Quality & Certification: Ensuring products meet safety standards.
* Product Innovation: Designing new workwear categories.
* Sustainability: Developing eco-friendly solutions based on customer feedback.
With over 1400 products and 13,500 SKUs, this department leads in safety solutions innovation.
Graphics
The Graphics Team translates Portwest’s safety passion into visual designs. They craft the brand’s visual language, including:
* Brand Identity: Ensuring consistency across all visual elements.
* Marketing Materials: Creating attention-grabbing promotional content.
* Digital Design: Developing visuals for online platforms.
* Product Presentations: Designing effective product showcases.
This team strengthens brand identity and enhances communication with customers globally.
Supply Chain
The Supply Chain department manages logistics, ensuring smooth flow from manufacturing to delivery worldwide. They collaborate with:
* Internal Partners: Manufacturing and sales teams.
* External Networks: Suppliers, warehouses, and customers.
They ensure timely, cost-effective delivery, supporting overall success.
Human Resources
The HR team manages recruitment, retention, training, and performance to foster an engaged workforce, ensuring Portwest’s ongoing success through motivated employees.
Procurement & Trading
This team negotiates with international vendors to secure competitive prices, quality, and sustainability, developing strategic procurement processes that support responsible sourcing and cost efficiency.
Digital
The Digital Development team manages online tools, including:
* Ecommerce Platform: Providing seamless online shopping.
* Company Website: Showcasing Portwest’s innovations.
* Internal Systems: Supporting operations with web solutions.
They ensure digital connectivity and operational efficiency.
Compliance
The Compliance Department safeguards ethical practices by monitoring laws, developing policies, and mitigating risks to protect Portwest’s reputation across all divisions.
IT
The IT team maintains infrastructure, supports employees, and drives technological innovation to enhance efficiency and competitiveness.
Graduate Program
About
Ready to #ReachYourPeak? The Portwest Graduate Programme offers a two-year structured experience to develop future industry leaders through cross-functional training, personalized development, and leadership growth, supported by experienced mentors.
Training & Development
We focus on leadership, communication, teamwork, and technical skills, providing tailored training to help associates thrive and find their ideal role within Portwest.
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