International aims are safe move for AZDRY

A COMPANY that has developed a dry suit that helps to protect emergency workers from dangerous waters is hoping to win further orders from overseas after winning a contract in Japan.

Fire crews and coastguards are among those kitted out with the suit made by AZDRY, based in Hoyland near Barnsley.

AZDRY is receiving backing from business support organisation Enterprising Barnsley to take the product to markets overseas.

It has already won an order to make suits for helicopter rescue service workers in Japan. 

The AZDRY suit has a sealing system which keeps wearers completely dry and protects them from the cold as well as pollutants and diseases in water. 

The company claims its front-entry zip and ‘telescopic torso’, which means it can be adjusted to fit wearers who differ in height by up to six inches, sets it apart from the competition.  

Director Graham Wiggins created the suit three years ago to improve AZDRY’s range of products for workers as well as sport and professional divers.

AZDRY suits have been supplied to almost a third of the UK’s fire services, plus HM Coastguard, the UK Border Agency and Environment Agency.

Mr Wiggins said: “The new suit has been designed to be light and offer total freedom of movement. This helps to make the task at hand, which can go on for many hours, less tiring. 

“But what also encourages organisations to choose us is that our product will fit a range of workers in a single organisation because it’s adjustable. This helps them to keep their costs down. 

“In addition to this, it comes in three versions and we can also meet bespoke requirements if requested.”

AZDRY, based at Platts Common Industrial Estate, is receiving help from Enterprising Barnsley to improve its marketing to attract more business from beyond the UK.     

Mr Wiggins said: “Through Enterprising Barnsley we have been working to improve our branding and marketing approach, which will give our company a fresh new look and promote our products in three different languages. The languages will most likely be German and Russian in addition to English as we’re targeting parts of the world that have colder waters.”

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