“Workplace safety” may be a somewhat vague and generalized term, but it nevertheless carries huge significance for businesses of all sizes.
The trend toward workplace safety is clear over the last 30 to 40 years. In 1980, probably 1% of auto mechanics used disposable gloves. In 2022, that figure is much higher—and because it’s still relatively small in the context of the overall industry, there is lots of room to grow.
Why do prices of disposable gloves vary so much between products, and between those who sell them?
Why does inventory come and go? (Those hybrid vinyl/nitrile gloves that you may have loved during the pandemic are much harder to find now.)
The disposable glove market is in a vastly different position from the last couple of years. Yes, it’s still dynamic and unpredictable, but opportunities for glove distributors are everywhere.
The first two years of the pandemic caused havoc for everybody, and the glove market was certainly no exception. A global surge in demand for gloves sent manufacturers scrambling to keep up. The resulting fallout from being unable to deliver needed product pushed every manufacturer to increase production capacity. That led to ample supply coming online in the second half of 2022.
If you’re a distributor, you should be stocking light-duty black nitrile gloves in abundance.
Why? They’re hot. End users want a glove that doesn’t show dirt and grime. They also want to look as professional as possible, which makes black the glove color of choice across countless industries.
Vinyl gloves are the workhorses of the disposable glove world. They may not be sexy, but they get the job done.
If your glove customers are cost conscious above all, vinyl should be your first recommendation. There are three industries in which they are a perfect fit under most circumstances.
The disposable glove market is in a terrific position. In fact, opportunities for distributing gloves are greater than ever.
Why? Here are four reasons:
Of the most common disposable glove materials, nitrile is far and away the most popular. Latex may have better fit, feel, and comfort—and vinyl may have a lower price point—but it’s difficult to beat nitrile for its all-around appeal.
Nitrile disposable gloves have for years been a popular alternative to latex in many industries, especially those that require more interaction with harsh chemicals and solvents, such as automotive work.
For importers and distributors affected over the last couple years by supply chain dysfunction—in other words, pretty much everybody—the big picture is looking a bit brighter.
Shipping bottlenecks are beginning to loosen. The recent drop in wholesale inflation (for the first time in two years) provided a sign that some of the U.S. economy’s inflationary pressures have begun to cool. The New York Fed’s Global Supply Chain Pressure Index fell for the third straight month in July, hitting its lowest point since January 2021.
Even before the pandemic raised hygiene consciousness, many food service establishments were regular users of disposable gloves.
Avoiding cross-contamination and keeping bacteria at bay are always important considerations for food trucks, restaurants, commercial kitchens, and the like. Protecting customers is central to protecting the business from liability.
How do you find the right glove for the job?
We hear all the time that customers have trouble choosing—and sometimes it takes a few tries to get it right. Here are the top 6 disposable glove specs that should figure into any eventual choice.
