Who are Portwest Clothing?


Portwest are a leading supplier and manufacturer of workwear clothing based in Westport, Ireland that specialise in the manufacture of protective clothing and staff uniforms. Some of the items they manufacture are high visibility clothing, flame retardant coveralls, safety footwear and a range of PPE (personal protective equipment).


Portwest Clothing's history


Portwest was started back in 1904 when the owner Charles Hughes opened a small retail shop in Westport which is in the County of Mayo, Southern Ireland. His nephew later joined the company and took over when the owner died and ran the business business until he retired in 1988. For all those years he saw the running of Portwests' wholesale distribution business, the hotel Westport they also owned and the development of the Westport clothing company that's now called Portwest Clothing. The Portwest business is still managed by the Hughes family and their companies include Charles Hughes Ltd, Hotel Westport and the Portwest Group.Portwest is a massive concern with over 6,000 employes and they supply to over 3,000 workwear distributors and retailers in over a staggering 84 countries. Now they have warehouses and offices in Britian, Ireland, Poland, Dubai and they have recently opened facilities in North America. Portwest also has sales offices in those countries as well as some other countries in Europe.


Portwest - What makes them different?


Here are some of the reason that Portwest are unique and their key selling points. 


Portwest only sell through a distribution network,- they do not sell direct, they are constantly updating their product range to try and be a one stop shop for workwear distributors.


Worldwide distribution network - Portwest now stocks over 1,000 different different product lines with over 10,000 stock keeping units. Due to their massive size and rapid order fulfillment order processes.


Very wide product range - Portwest claim to be the only manufacturer that stocks everything they manufacture as well as as massive range of PPE and safety products allowing a one stock shop which saves on delivery costs and admin.


All products are independently tested - All their products meet all the standards required such as ISO, ANSI,  and the EN regulations.Portwest are also members of SATRA which is a leading research and testing house for workwear and PPE.

Portwest workwear is also accredited by WRAP, the worldwide responsible accredited production 


Highest Standards in Production - Portwest have their own manufacturing processes and can completely control the manufacturing process from start to finish and have recently opened a new manufacturing plain in Banglasdesh. Their products

surpass the REACH and WRAP requirements.


Export Global Network Team - Portwest have a worldwide network of experts working in all conditions designing their products in flame retardant clothing, high visibility clothing, protective workwear, safety gloves and gauntlets, PPE and safety boots.


Continous Product Improvements - Portwest has as stringent quality control procedure and are constanting improving their products and processes to ensure continual development and to stay the market leader.


Choice - Portwest workwear offer the biggest range of colours and sizes allowing you to cater for every customer out their, whether you require a coverall in a 6XL size or grey jackets that no-one else supplies, the Portwest range is staggering


Customer made products - Portwest offer a service where they will make workwear and clothing items to your exact specificiation with their design and cut service, they can also brand and embroidery your products as well as holding stock when required.

View our Portwest Products Here