Operational resilience is built one shift at a time

How much time does your production team spend solving problems that have nothing to do with production? A missing protective jacket. Not enough clean workwear for the early shift. Small issues; until someone has to stop focus on their core responsibilities in order to sort them out.

Workwear that stays fit for the job

In defence manufacturing, workwear is not interchangeable. Welders need protection from heat and sparks; teams assembling sensitive electronics may need garments that help control static electricity. Keeping the right garments ready takes fittings, laundering, repairs, replacements and deliveries, week after week. Even when production is steady, roles change and workwear wears out.

Choosing the right garments is only the beginning. Protective workwear also needs care suited to its purpose. Washing and repairs must take account of the garment’s requirements so that its protective performance is maintained. Clean garments matter, but so does knowing they remain suitable for the job.

Less administration, better visibility

Workwear should support production, not compete with it for time and attention. With Lindström’s fully managed textile service, manufacturers can spend less time coordinating garments and gain better visibility over their workwear, through our digital platform eLindström. Together, we plan for changing staffing, roles and production needs.

There is a practical question behind that visibility: are garments being worn, or sitting unused in lockers while others need replacements? Reviewing garment use can help identify stock that could be adjusted, plan replacements and keep the service aligned with actual needs. That means fewer decisions based on guesswork and less work for the customer’s own teams.

Preparing for the unexpected

A reliable service also needs a plan for when things go wrong. For example, in Finland, Lindström maintains business continuity plans and tests backup arrangements within its laundry network. We continuously develop our readiness in collaboration with organisations operating in critical sectors across the public and private sectors.

Resilience can also be described with a simple mathematical formula: time × options = resilience. If you don’t have time or options, your resilience is zero.

Juha Haapasaari, Business Unit Director at Lindström Finland.

The next shift should begin with people focused on production – not on finding their workwear. That takes more than clean garments. It takes a partner who manages the everyday details and prepares for the unexpected.

Originally published in connection with Arctic Lion Defence Summit 2026 on 10 November 2026.

Ready for the next shift?

Keep your people equipped with the right workwear, professionally maintained and ready when needed.

Textiles for defence manufacturing