Hunter has been named winner of the highest global honour in the professional clothing industry — taking the top prize for Safety Product Innovation at the 2025 NAUMD Awards in North America.

The award, issued by the Network Association of Uniform Manufacturers & Distributors (NAUMD), represents the global standard of excellence for innovation in uniforms and PPE. Hunter’s winning product, FLEXGUARD®, is a game-changing protective limb system developed for public order professionals.

The NAUMD victory caps off a landmark month for the Northern Ireland based company, which also secured two major UK awards at the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) Safety Awards 2025 — with FLEXGUARD® winning Product Innovation of the Year and the company’s firefighter PPE decontamination system, Deconology®, named Safety Solution of the Year.

“To win the top global product safety innovation award just weeks after winning two UK national awards is a defining moment for our business,” said Simon Hunter Esq, M.B.E., Chief Executive Officer. “It confirms that a purpose driven approach to business drives success and recognition. Putting the fire-fighters and officers we serve front and centre of what we do leads us into exciting innovative areas daily”.

FLEXGUARD® — Setting a New Standard for Frontline Protection

FLEXGUARD® redefines mobility, comfort, and protection for Police and Prison Service personnel by replacing the stiffness of traditional armour with lightweight, articulated limb systems.

Key features include:

· Patent applied fully hinged elbow and knee joints allowing full movement without compromising protection

· Blunt-trauma exoskeleton shells using lightweight, energy-dispersing materials

· Inclusive sizing range developed with physiotherapists and operational advisors

· 3D Cool Mesh airflow system to enhance thermal comfort during deployments

· Modular UK construction, enabling rapid maintenance and domestic supply resilience

The product has already been selected by major UK frameworks and continues to generate international interest across Europe, North America.

Deconology® — Protecting Firefighters Beyond the Fireground

Hunter’s Deconology® platform offers the UK and Ireland’s first Liquid CO₂ decontamination service for firefighter PPE — eliminating over 99% of harmful contaminants compared to just 15–40% from conventional water-based washing.

In just its first year, Deconology® has been chosen to protect over 60% of Irish Fire fighters, including being a key part of a £5Million+ in contracts with Irish Fire Services including Dublin Fire Brigade, with major UK fire services engaged in trials and workshops. Hunter have also been able to host representatives from over 50% of the UK’s Fire Services to tour the new facility in Northern Ireland in the last 18 months alone.

The system reduces cancer-linked toxin exposure, extends garment life, and eliminates the need for water, heat, or chemical-heavy cleaning — aligning with both health and climate goals. All in the pursuit to improve the long-term health outcomes of the firefighters Hunter serve.

About Hunter Apparel Solutions Limited

Hunter is a technical PPE and uniform manufacturer with a mission to protect those on whom society depends. Now approaching 90 years in business, we are a fourth-generation family company that has evolved into a digitally driven, AI-powered, innovation-led operation serving emergency services, and large private-sector bodies across the UK and Ireland.

From its operational base in Northern Ireland, Hunter combines nearly a century of craftsmanship with cutting-edge innovation — delivering smart, sustainable, and scalable solutions for modern uniform supply chains.

A Multi-Year Innovation Journey — Now Ready to Scale

FLEXGUARD® and Deconology® are the result of several years of behind-the-scenes research, prototyping, wearer trials, and marketing investment. Hunter has built two distinct brands from the ground up — educating stakeholders across sectors, and setting new expectations for what protective uniform services can deliver.

With these award-winning innovations now gaining national and international traction, Hunter is entering a major growth phase — expanding its operations, accelerating product deployment, and engaging new public-sector and export partnerships.

“This is only the beginning. Our platforms are ready, the demand is growing, and we are poised for scale,” added Director, Jeff Hunter. “We’re always interested in hearing from professionals who want to be part of our journey.”

Learn More about our award winning products here:

Flexguard®

Deconology® | Hunter Apparel Solutions

Media Contact: Steven Cooke Internal Sales & Marketing Manager +44 (0) 7825 147 680 | +44 (0) 28 71 160 504 steven.cooke@hunterapparelsolutions.com

Hunter is a global innovator in technical uniforms and PPE, headquartered in Northern Ireland. The company blends award-winning design, ethical manufacturing, digital technology, and sustainability in pursuit of one clear purpose: To protect those on whom society depends.