Emily Moore spoke to Gerry and Sally Moore, who run workwear shop Toolbolt, about the improvement in safety standards and why the personal touch is important for their business
LUNCH Atop A Skyscraper. This famous photograph, taken in 1932, depicts 11 ironworkers having lunch on a steel beam 850 feet above the ground.
Taken during the construction of the Rockefeller Center in New York, the picture was part of a campaign to promote the skyscraper. And, at the time, it is likely that that is exactly how it was viewed.
But when you look now at the precarious position in which the men, none of whom are wearing anything more than standard clothes and cloth caps, are sitting, all sorts of health and safety bells start ringing.
While that picture may now be nearly 100 years old, you do not have to go back that far to recall tradesmen or builders working away while dressed in an old T-shirt and a pair of jeans or shorts.
But as health and safety standards have improved, so have the garments worn by those in all areas of the construction industry. And it was this recognition of a growing demand for professional workwear that prompted Gerry Moore to launch his business 13 years ago.
Having originally trained as an aircraft engineer before moving into the motor trade, it was when Gerry joined SGB Hire that he saw the changes taking place.
“While we hired primarily plant and equipment, I started to see a niche for workwear,” said the founder of Toolbolt. “Up until then, most people in the industry just used their old casual clothes as workwear but, suddenly, the demand for boots started moving at quite a pace and that was quickly followed by a demand for smart, high-quality workwear. As the brands saw this demand, everyone from Puma and Caterpillar to Timberland and Skechers began catering for it. We now stock more than 130 styles of safety footwear alone.”
Having “started small” from a shop in Sand Street, as the family-run business grew, so did its search for the right premises.
“We went to York Street from Sand Street and then spent nine years in Dumaresq Street before opening in our current location at The Port House Merchants Square in November,” Gerry explained.
Now in a new building adjacent to the Freedom Centre and opposite Bath Street’s Premier Inn, Gerry describes the bright single-storey space as “something of a miracle”.
“The shop in Dumaresq Street was fantastic and really helped us to build the business, but the view from the street was deceptive, and a lot of people didn’t realise how much space we had or how many products we stocked. It was a real Aladdin’s cave,” he smiled. “Finding this space was almost a miracle, as there are not many modern units with good vehicle access, which is ideal for our customers, many of whom love the fact that they can pull up outside, grab what they need and go again.”
“It’s been a really good move for us,” agreed Gerry’s wife, Sally, who joined the business officially in 2021, having previously worked in the finance industry. “Even in the first week, when we were still getting organised, the guys were popping in and just pulling whatever they needed out of the boxes.”
And it is that friendly, family feel which Gerry, Sally and their nephew Seb, who also works in the business, say makes the job so enjoyable.
“I love speaking to people and helping them find solutions,” said Sally. “The great thing about living and working in Jersey is that you get to know people. The same customers pop in and out all the time and we’ve built really good relationships with them over the years. We always say that our customers are like friends.”
While many of those customers work in the construction industry, Gerry adds that Toolbolt also support government employees, staff from utility companies and those working in agriculture and fishing.
“If you were in England, you would probably find that you only really served one sector, depending on whether you were in a rural or urban area, but here you cater for everyone,” he said. “Even delivery drivers wear safety footwear and a lot of people carrying out DIY projects at home want some coveralls or practical items, so our customer base is very broad.”
That diversity, the couple agree, also helps to make the business more resilient.
“We know that there have been some ups and downs and a lot of changes in the construction industry recently, but when one area is quiet, another is usually busy,” he said. “We have seen a number of smaller businesses and sole traders set up in the past few years, and scaffolders and roofers are still really busy following Storm Ciarán and Storm Goretti.
“While there might not have been so many large-scale projects recently, with the new-hospital build and the redevelopment of the government’s South Hill offices into accommodation due to get under way shortly, there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel.”
Having weathered recent storms in the industry, Gerry and Sally say the “biggest shock to the system” that they have encountered since opening Toolbolt was Covid.
“That definitely had an effect, but we were still fairly busy, as essential work and maintenance was still taking place, which meant people still needed workwear, tools and personal protective equipment,” he said. “While there was some uncertainty at the time, I think that if you survive those situations, you have an even stronger base for the future.”
That future, adds Sally, is likely to be shaped by continuing developments in the health-and-safety industry, which inspire product innovation.
“We have specialist PPE for people carrying out specific jobs,” she said, “and a wide range of items which reflect both the legal changes and the latest advancements in technology. One of the most important elements of our role is keeping up to speed with those developments. For example, since Brexit, footwear now has to comply with UK, rather than European, safety ratings and gloves are rated in different ways for different professions from scaffolding to fishing. In fact, our glove catalogue is so big that you should probably wear a pair of safety boots when you pick it up just in case you drop it.”
And while the words “health and safety” may be met with a groan by some, Sally and Gerry highlight the difference that the right workwear can make.
“Twenty years ago, you would be lucky if a scaffolder was wearing a high-vis vest. Now, they are wearing high-vis jackets, helmets and harnesses, which shows how the industry has changed,” said Gerry. “But despite those changes, it is still an inherently risky profession and no one wants to see accidents.
“We have guys who come in and tell us about accidents they have experienced on site and they tell us that the boots they bought from us saved their foot. That’s when you realise just why those rules are in place and the difference that the right equipment can make.”
“And it’s not just about accidents,” added Sally. “If you are a fisherman, out in all weathers, you don’t want to be out in a flimsy jacket and a pair of trainers. The protective gear helps to make you as comfortable as possible while you carry out a job which is fundamentally uncomfortable.”
Indeed, that desire for comfort is shaping a lot of developments within the workwear space, says Sally.
“The latest products don’t just look more stylish; they also feature new fabrics and designs, which makes them both more comfortable and practical,” she said. “A lot of the new clothes, for example, are made with four-way stretch fabrics that move when you do and have pockets where you want them, so that you can easily access your tools while working.”
While the size of the showroom means that not every product is in stock, Gerry and Sally add that people can view specialist items on their website, which the couple can then order.
“We don’t sell items online because our customers really value the knowledge and experience that we can offer,” said Gerry. “It is also hugely advantageous to be able to pop in, try items on and take them with you instead of taking a chance on something you order online that may or may not be suitable when it comes down.”
And that is very much the business model to which Gerry and Sally intend to stick.
“This isn’t about businesses dealing with businesses; it’s about people dealing with people,” said Gerry. “Jersey is a small place, we know our customers and we know what they want. Even when we walk through town at the weekend, people intercept us and talk to us about the products. That is what we love so much about this job.
“When we come to work, it doesn’t really feel like work. We’re just meeting our friends, hearing their stories and we are pleased to be able to play a part in keeping them safe while they do what they do to keep the Island running.”
