Safety is crucial for VINCI Energies. So it goes without saying that their thousands of employees put on the best personal protective equipment at the start of each working day. With robust expansion in areas such as the energy grids of the future, ensuring industrial sites are smarter and safer, making large buildings more sustainable and efficient, building and managing digital networks, data centres and cybersecurity solutions... nothing is left to chance.

But how do you guarantee comfortable, sustainable safety on a large scale? How do you give everyone easy access to the right protection? VINCI Energies found the answer in an enhanced collaboration with Vandeputte Safety Experts.

"We operate in complex, high-risk environments. In this, safety and efficiency are key," says Niels van Kaam, HSEQ manager at VINCI Energies. We wanted to put an end to the previous, fragmented approach to personal protective equipment (PPE), which also led to a lack of clear follow-up and advice.

Niels van Kaam: "Based on the risks our people face, we were looking for a single partner who could reinforce our safety culture, using in-house expertise and offering tailor-made solutions. They would have to cover no fewer than 74 business units."

All-in supplier and brand-independent expert

They found this comprehensive supplier and expert in Vandeputte Safety Experts. Robin Bouman, Procurement Manager at VINCI Energies, explains: "During our visit to their headquarters, distribution centre and production workshop, we immediately saw how they combine all activities and products into a one-stop shop. They offer a very wide range of PPE, with brand-independent advice, in-house service, flexible logistics and private labels providing excellent value for money. This allows the Vandeputte Safety Experts to propose tailor-made solutions for the risks our people face on the shop floor."

The way that Vandeputte has taken all our concerns off our hands is evident in the:

• Expertise and guidance: a tailored range is developed through regular consultation with prevention advisers and on-the-job testing.
• SPOC approach: with one central point of contact, VINCI Energies is assured of speed and clarity.
• Online platform vdp.com: every branch orders via a personalised catalogue on the ordering platform, with a secure process around approval, delivery and availability.

Less waste thanks to more targeted ordering

Results were soon clear. Very soon after its implementation, the collaboration made a tangible impact. VINCI Energies noticed:

• Less waste thanks to more targeted ordering
• Greater employee comfort and satisfaction
• A safer workplace with products tailored to each risk
• Efficient processes while maintaining autonomy per branch

Robin adds, "Vandeputte helps us combat overconsumption and achieve sustainability goals". "And at the same time, they challenge us, stimulating entrepreneurship within our teams. As a result, our people make conscious choices, supported by a reliable partner. This leads to innovation, optimised processes and the ability to support customers more efficiently."

Vending machines with helmets, gloves and more

And it doesn't stop there. The cooperation between VINCI Energies and Vandeputte will offer further services and solutions in the future. "One option is the implementation of on-site vending machines. These give employees access to their personal protective equipment in a smooth and controlled way," says Niels.

Along with Robin, he is also curious about future plans to work around safety culture and support behavioural change. So, as you can see, both parties are investing together in a sustainable approach to safety for today and the future.