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At the heart of SHOWA®, there’s a simple goal: to create reliable, industrial-strength hand protection products that meet our customer’s needs. Our team focuses on quality, and by developing all our own machinery, yarns, coatings, polymers, designs, and hand formers, we can ensure our high standards are met at every step of the way.

When you’re considering trying out a new product, it’s always helpful to hear from real people. We can tell you all the facts and figures about our products, but nothing beats a real customer experience. So to provide some insight into what it’s like to use our gloves, we’ve spoken to individuals from a range of industries and applications in South America.

The result? Four user case studies where our industrial gloves improved worker’s safety, dexterity, and comfort. Read on to find out how we’re changing the way people work.

Case Study 1: Industrial Gloves for Precision Applications in Slippery Environments

railway workers

Maintenance personnel on a railway line in Colombia were previously using leather gloves for their precision applications. Their work involves periodically lubricating pins and other components on a railway line to reduce the noise generated when trains cross the railway.

We spoke to one of the workers to see what happened when they switched from leather to the SHOWA 377.

 

 

The Challenges

Before using our industrial gloves, the maintenance personnel found that their leather gloves only lasted for eight hours of work, before grease and oil permeation made the protective equipment unsuitable. As well as the oil absorption that occurs with leather, the railway workers found they frequently lost grip on screws, pins, and machine tools.

The Outcome: How SHOWA Gloves Helped

When switching to our products, the staff found that their grip was dramatically improved, due to oils and grease being unable to soak into the impermeable coating. The substance barrier makes the average duration of a SHOWA product fifteen days. And as well as protecting against lubricants, the SHOWA 377 is also waterproof, which is essential for maintaining comfort when working outdoors on railways.

Leather gloves SHOWA glove 377
●     Average wear 8 hours

●     Absorbs oils and grease

●     Poor grip

●     Average wear 15 days

●     Waterproof

●     Improved grip when working with lubricants

●     Impermeable

View SHOWA 377.

Case Study 2: Protection from Machinery Abrasion and Hand-Strain in the Construction Industry

construction workersIn this user case, mooring column construction workers in Colombia found that their leather gloves weren’t providing enough protection to keep their hands safe from injury.

The workers tie and lift civil construction columns using a tool that increases productivity. However, the tool is abrasive and uncomfortable against the area between the index finger and thumb.

We found out what happened when they switched from leather to the SHOWA ATLAS® 330.

The Challenges

In the summertime, their leather gloves were lasting just two eight-hour workdays in the construction sector. In winter it’s even less, with an average wear-time of just one day. As well as the short duration, a big challenge for the construction staff was the lack of reinforcement against the thumb and index finger.

The Outcome: How SHOWA Gloves Helped

After switching to the SHOWA ATLAS® 330, the personnel found the average duration of wear is up to five days. They also benefited from a choice of sizes within the range, which is essential for prolonged comfort during long days using your hands.

The ATLAS® 330’s reinforced thumb crotch provided protection for the area between their index finger and thumb, which kept them comfortable for longer and safe from injury. And, the workers also benefited from better wet and dry grip.

 

Leather gloves SHOWA gloves ATLAS® 330
●     No reinforcement

●     Average wear 1-2 days

●     Reinforced thumb crotch

●     Average wear 5 days

●     Enhanced wet and dry grip

View SHOWA ATLAS® 330.

Case Study 3: Working With High Heat and Lubricated Components In Motor-Repairwork

metallugy worker glovesAt a manufacturing plant in Ecuador, plastic extruder works repair the machinery when it’s blocked or damaged.

Currently using leather gloves, the mechanical maintenance personnel open up the motor, remove the screws, and fix or unblock the machine.

See how switching from leather to SHOWA 477  industrial gloves affected the way they work.

The Challenges

When working with leather gloves, the workers are limited in their mobility and dexterity due to the stiffness of the leather. The leather must be thick enough in order to protect the worker’s hands from high temperatures.

Safeopedia has found that leather gloves can harden or shrivel when exposed to excess heat, making them less effective and uncomfortable for the wearer. In some cases, the workers had to wait for the machines to cool before starting their repairs.

Plus, the handled mechanical parts are lubricated, meaning their leather gloves quickly become saturated with grease. Once the gloves are permeated with oil, they have to be changed. This might mean workers are getting through multiple pairs of gloves in one day.

The Outcome: How SHOWA Gloves Helped

With SHOWA 477, the mechanical maintenance personnel benefited from greater dexterity due to SHOWA’s second-skin comfort. They also increased productivity, as workers didn’t have to wait until the machinery had cooled down to a temperature safe for them to touch.

As the SHOWA 477 is impermeable, the average wear is over thirty days – a huge increase compared to their previous leather glove. The grip technology also allows them better control when handling wet or lubricated components.

Leather Gloves SHOWA gloves 477
●     Short average wear – replace when saturated

●     Decreased mobility and dexterity

 

●     Average wear over 30 days

●     Enhanced wet and dry grip

●     Protects from high temperatures

●     Increased dexterity and mobility

View SHOWA 477.

Case Study 4: Cut and Heat Protection from Blades at a Manufacturing Facility

plastic workerAt another Ecuadorian manufacturing facility, staff are cutting plastic components using thread gloves as hand protection. In the factory, plastic pieces come out of an injector, and the burrs or cutting edge must be removed using a knife. As well as a cut risk, the pieces have a temperature of 70º Celsius.

See how the SHOWA 4568 compares to the worker’s thread gloves. (SHOWA 4568 available in LATAM, US and Canada.)

The Challenges

According to the construction company JJ White Inc, fabric gloves (like cotton thread) protect against dirt, slivers, chafing, and abrasions. They do not provide sufficient protection for use with rough, sharp, or heavy materials.

The thread gloves are double layered to prevent cutting, but the risk is not eradicated completely. The double thread also protects against the 70º Celsius temperatures. On average, workers can use their double thread gloves for around twenty days.

The Outcome: How SHOWA Gloves Helped

Although the wear duration is similar at twenty days, workers explained they felt safer and more protected when wearing our industrial gloves. Due to the construction of the SHOWA 4568, the manufacturing personnel felt the gloves were more flexible, comfortable, but also more cut-resistant. The glove also protects against high temperatures.

Leather gloves SHOWA gloves 4568
●     Some cut-protection but still a risk

●     Average wear 20 days

 

●     Temperature protection

●     Average wear 20 days

●     Increased flexibility and dexterity

●     Enhanced cut-resistance

View SHOWA 4568.

SHOWA gloves

From sole traders, to small businesses and multinational enterprises, companies all over the world use our gloves to keep their workers protected and comfortable. It’s great seeing real experiences from customers, who noticed an improvement in their comfort and safety when switching to our gloves. Because of our large variety of products, we worked directly with our clients to find the most suitable gloves for each application.

Speak to one of our experts today to find the right glove for your business.

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