Portsmouth work wear business EMJ marks 25 years in city after bouncing back from lockdown
A FIRM with a 25-year history in the city has marked its silver anniversary in business with an expansion, a new building and some large new contracts.
Staff members outside EMJ Workwear 10 Aug 21. Photo by Mathew Clark
EMJ Management, in Portfield Road, Copnor, was set up in 1996 by four partners, three of which came from a cleaning supplies background.
The company was started to supply branded uniform to this sector, but quickly grew to other sectors including security, grounds maintenance, transport, local authorities and construction.
Today it has a varied list of clients, from small local businesses to large, national multi-site companies and it is looking to the future.
Alex Eggett, Steve Linn, Kevin Day inside EMJ
The company is led by sales director Kevin Day, national accounts manager Steve Linn and in-house branding manager Alex Eggett.
It moved into a new purpose built, environmentally-friendly building in January 2020.
Kevin said: ‘This move more than doubled our floor space and enabled us to add more garment branding machinery. It also made the business far more efficient. The added space has also meant that we can offer larger clients new services, including stock support.
EMJ
‘We employ 23 people and with the business continuing to enjoy steady growth, we will be welcoming two new members of staff this month.’
Obviously, the past 18 months has not been without its challenges, but the firm survived after furloughing its staff and focusing its remaining efforts into protective clothing and PPE.
Kevin said: ‘We were asked to source items such as masks, face shields, and hand sanitiser. Luckily we had a quality, reliable supply chain out in the Far East. This was a very hectic time.’
It also acquired Hargreaves, a well known supplier of schoolwear and promotional clothing, in 2010.
Kevin said: ‘We jumped at the chance to buy this well-established brand as it would open new and established markets. Today the school business continues to grow, with new schools coming to us every year. The military side, although smaller, is an important part of the overall business.’
After bouncing back from lockdown, and having settled in to the new building, the firm is introducing its own branded range of garments, footwear, and PPE.
And Kevin urged people to get in touch.
EMJ Workwear school uniform products, 10 Aug 21.
He said: ‘Our experienced and friendly sales department are on hand to handle any new enquiries.’
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Warehouse of EMJ
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