Mining the right fit

Recently, the MWG team had the privilege of visiting Canada’s newest – and soon to be largest – potash mine.

As production of the mine site began to ramp up, the workforce expanded, and there was a need for new arc-resistant workwear. With years of experience supplying mines with arc- and flame-resistant apparel, MWG was the brand of choice to help manage this project.

We were proud to be selected as the clothing supplier for this site. Our lightweight and breathable blends served as the perfect fabric for working in hot environments, both above and underground, and our dedication and commitment to diversity in the workplace aligned with the company’s internal mandate to have at least 50 per cent of technical roles performed by women.

To ensure a smooth rollout in the early stages of the program, our safety, design, and customer experience experts were invited on-site to conduct one-on-one fittings and tailoring for the men and women working on site.

What had us surprised – and excited – was the number of women, both in trade and office positions, who were required to wear our flame- and arc-resistant apparel.

The number of women working in trade and technical roles still remains low across industries.

At this mine site, the company’s mission is to have at least half of their trade and technical roles performed by women. Much work is still needed to reach that goal, but their efforts ought to be commended, as it is the most women we have outfitted within a single organization.

Having the opportunity to communicate with a diverse group of women was both exciting and enlightening. The majority of their feedback was positive in regards to the fit, function, style, and fabric. However, many pointed out areas in which our clothing could be improved, specifically the fit of our women’s pants.

Listening to these comments, we redesigned our women’s pants. The hips and thighs were relaxed to allow for ease of movement, and the rise has been raised for a more modern fit and feel. We designed and manufactured these pants prior to their initial delivery, only months after receiving their feedback.

Upon delivery of these newly designed pants, the women at the mine site and offices were thrilled with the outcome of the design. More so, they were grateful we took the time to actually listen and incorporate their ideas into our new pant.

Ultimately, our goal is to keep everyone safe and comfortable while at work. The more we hear from you, the closer we come to achieving that goal. Hearing from you helps us create clothing that really works and that you’ll really enjoy wearing. s