Some of the world’s top rugby players were feeling the heat when they took part in a team-building session hosted by Bristol Airport’s fire training team. Thirty six of Bath Rugby’s squad were put through their paces on the Airport fire-ground, taking part in training drills designed for specialist aviation fire-fighters. Goliath Footwear were delighted to support the event with some fire boots (FB300GTX) to help get the team kitted up.

Challenges included crawling through a confined space while wearing breathing apparatus, climbing ladders while carrying a casualty, and tackling real flames on the Airport’s 767 simulator. Bristol Airport’s Fire and Safety Training team provides a range of fire safety and first aid training courses for all levels. The Airport location also offers an unusual setting for team-building exercises for organisations from businesses to sports teams. Players including captain of England Rugby’s summer tour, Lewis Moody, British and Irish Lion, Simon Taylor, and Bath captain, Luke Watson, took part in the training day, with the squad dividing into three groups to add an element of competition!

Justin Lane, Fire and Safety Coordinator at Bristol Airport, said: “We know fire-fighters can face hazardous challenges as individuals, and sometimes have to put their lives in the hands of their colleagues. This means teamwork and trust form a key part in their training and development. Sportsmen also need to know they can rely on their team mates under pressure, so it was fascinating to see the Bath players respond to the testing scenarios we placed them in through the course of the day.”

Steve Meehan, Head Coach of Bath Rugby said: “The fire-fighters here at the airport really have to rely on each other and work closely as a team, as do the players when they are out on the field. This was a great team building exercise for the players. You can never underestimate the value that a change of scenery and experience can bring. We will all knew a little more about each other by the end of the exercise."

Because of the unusually high number of large size items required, additional fire-fighting personal protective equipment (PPE) has been provided by specialist suppliers including Goliath Footwear.

Dave Morris, Fleet Air Museum Engineer.

'I have been involved with engineering for some thirty years plus and have been with the Museum Engineering Department for more than twenty of these. In that time one item of equipment that has always been difficult to source is the right pair of boots. I have to say that the Goliath ELSP 1023 CRZ Jensen work boot has to be the best that I have come across in all of this time.  

We need a boot that caters for a variety of needs, Just finding a strong work boot is simply not enough. The Jensen boot works well in so many ways. We stand at benches and machines for many hours. We walk great distances around the airfield site and between hangars (sometimes miles a day). The Jenson boot is perfect, it is supple and fits like a glove from day one out of the box, but strong enough to be safe and useful. You can be on your feet all day long (sometimes even jogging or moving very quickly between sites) and it is as comfortable at the end of the day as at the beginning. The inner foot shape is particularly comfortable. The soles are very good non slip, but don't leave black marks on the aircraft wings or on exhibition hangar floors. The treads are profiled enough to grip well but don't fill up with grit, swarf of sharp objects that would cause damage to the aircraft. The toe cap doesn't rub and the profile of the toe and toecaps are neat and slightly tapered, making it easy to fit them into the aircraft foot step holes and limited access areas on the aircraft. The stitching is strong and in all the right places and laces stay tied and don't fray. The padded suede tongue is also extremely comfortable and allows the laces to be kept tight. They are not heavy to wear and styled and coloured such that you can move from workshop to office environment without feeling like you are wearing enormous work boots. You can drive in them without feeling like you have huge boots on. Best of all they stand up to this day after day.

We need footwear that can cover all of these work requirements every day, year in year out and the Goliath Jensen is the first boot that I have come across that does them all.'

Get your new Goliath Footwear wallchart now.  Great to help you pick the right style for your workplace, order one today by calling 0845 330 6430.  Quantities can also be ordered by stockists of Goliath Footwear, just add them to your orders.

Goliath Footwear is now available on the National Contract for the Provision of Footwear operated by Hertfordshire Constabulary following the announcement earlier this year.  A range of styles, developed specifically for the contract, are on offer including mid and high cut soft toe patrol boots with PU rubber soles, water resistant uppers and high performance SRC rated slip resistant soles.  Available in men's and ladies sizes from 3 - 14 the Goliath non safety options have been designed with fresh new design and technology.

Also available in mid and hi cut versions are non metal safety boots with polycarbonate toe caps, and an innovative new generation nailproof Lenzi textile midsole. By use of the Lenzi protective midsole the boot provides excellent flexibility for running, driving and crawling and offers even greater coverage of the foot compared to steel.  With two further GORE-TEX® tactical boots including the search boot there is good choice and options for all sceanrios.  All footwear on this framework is available to all Police Authorities and is available for a period of 4 years expiring 30th April 2014.

Goliath's parent company Yakupoglu had a successful few days exhibiting at DVD 2010, a military show designed to bring together new capabilities and support for our Armed forces in response to current and future operational requirements.  The Yakupoglu team were there to illustrate their huge capacity to provide the highest performing YDS branded military footwear and technical textiles to the military sector.

Yakupoglu manufactures military footwear under the YDS brand and is the world leader in dual density rubber injection moulding, a GORE-TEX® licensee and also a manufacturer of gloves, sleeping systems, load carriage equipment, outerwear and tentage.  Based in Ankara Yakupoglu is ISO EN9001:2008 and ISO14001 certified with 80,000 sqm of manufacturing capability.

The exhibition showcased the latest military footwear developed specifically for the UK MOD, some of which will be adapted for bluelight services, and received an excellent response.

Goliath were delighted to be able to support an Everest climb in aid of a deserving charity, Martin House Hospice for Children and Young People.  Siobhan Lock climbed to base camp of the highest mountain in the world in a pair of Goliath Footwear (GTE01LGTX) and was sponsored by Goliath to help her hit her £1000 target, which she has more than surpassed.  Well done to Siobhan for her enormous effort in aid of charity. 

 

Networking Women in Fire Service (NWFS) has approached Goliath Footwear to help them in their Positive Action programme. Unlike other manufacturers, Goliath can make structural firefighter boots in smaller sizes suitable for women who want to work as firefighters, and have supplied the NWFS with some footwear to be used in their Positive Action recruitment initiatives. NWFS aims to improve diversity within the fire and rescue service, one way the network hopes to achieves this is by supporting ‘have a go days’ where individuals have the opportunity to put on a uniform, try out ladder climbing, wearing breathing apparatus and other physical activities to get a real feel for the job of the firefighter

Julie Sandbrook of NWFS explains why Goliath were approached, ’small sized uniform has been a problem for women who have historically had to settle for ill-fitting, over-sized clothing which is uncomfortable, has a poor effect on morale and self esteem, and could potentially be unsafe. Goliath Footwear offers the right boot in the right sizes needed by firefighters to carry out their role effectively.’ Goliath is delighted to support the work of NWFS by supplying firefighter boots to give women a chance to feel comfortable, well protected and empowered from the very start of their experience with the fire and rescue service.

Steve Hall of Goliath Footwear says, ‘we make specialist footwear from size 2 to 15 to cater for all individuals in the fire and rescue service. We are delighted to demonstrate this capability by sponsoring the NWFS in their work.’

Anne Waters of NWFS states “at these positive action events it has always been a struggle to provide the women with suitable fire kit, particularly those with smaller feet. The next event we are supporting, will be in Lincolnshire on April 15 and it will be great to be able to provide women with the right sized boots, so that they can get the most out of the event and see firefighting as a real career option.”

New intelligent technology ‘d3o™’ has been integrated into Goliath Footwear’s new metatarsal protective boot to give the best ever flexibility and freedom of movement for a boot of this type.

d3o™ is a special material with intelligent molecules that flow with you as you move but on shock lock together to absorb the impact energy. It is included in new Goliath style Met-Pro to meet the needs of those who are exposed to dangerous drop hazards like workers handling gas bottles, beer kegs and other potential hazards in heavy engineering.

The intelligent material has been integrated within the front overflap of the boot to provide the additional metatarsal protection needed in these hazardous industries. As a result wearers can experience freedom of movement, unlike wearing conventional met guards, and can bend down in the footwear without a met guard cutting your foot.

Revolutionary Met-Pro also benefits from dual density rubber sole technology; a comfortable durable sole suitable for heavy industry, plus a steel toe cap, steel midsole and ridged rubber scuff cap for the ultimate all round protection.

Test the brilliant ‘d3o™’ intelligent material yourself at the Safety and Heath Expo 2010 where Goliath Footwear has a demo area. You will be able to touch and feel the material and then see how it changes under impact, you’ll be amazed how it works.

For full product details click here.

Goliath Footwear have launched the most flexible and comfortable public order boot approved to the public order footwear standard BS7971-5:2004.

Goliath aimed to produce a tough, protective anti-riot boot that would be flexible enough to drive in. So using technical skill learned by supplying the military sector, the public order boot was designed with a dual density rubber (DDR) sole unit which is durable and tough enough to withstand instances of heat (300°C) and contaminant such as petrol, but flexible and comfortable enough to wear for long periods. Coupled with this is an innovative ‘Lenzie’ puncture resistant textile midsole with 100% foot coverage offering the best flexibility and protection versus steel. A cushioned open cell PU footbed and deep padded soft collar provide further comfort features.

The public order boot protects from missiles and other hazards by way of a resilient steel toe cap and a cut resistant material running around the outside of boot and across the vamp. All laces and thread are flame retardant and all seams are downward facing to aid petrol run off. Ankles are protected by shock absorbing disks and a reinforced heel counter for better stability and support.

‘By combining the technologies of DDR and Lenzie, this boot is a real revolution in occupational footwear design.’ says Steve Hall, Sales and Marketing Director.

The new ‘Control’ boot is now available in men's and ladies sizes and is currently being offered to Police forces nationwide for purchase or trial. This product will be available to see at HOSDB 2010 where Goliath will be exhibiting, or further details can obtained by calling 0845 330 6430.

Click here for full product details. 

A new Police search and dog handler boot has been developed by Goliath Footwear and launched in the latest 2010 Goliath catalogue.

The ‘Search Boot’ offers an all round safe solution for extreme terrain ventured on by the Police search teams which may include rubbish tips, fields, woodland and wetland.

The product tackles the needs of the Police by firstly being soft toe for the best flexibility when crawling, kneeling and driving, and secondly by protecting the wearer from hazards underfoot by use of a flexible and puncture resistant midsole with 100% foot coverage. The lightweight 100% waterproof membrane MS Light GORE-TEX® is used to maintain a dry comfortable feeling in all weather conditions, and a PU/rubber athletic sole unit provides excellent grip and durability whilst covering rough terrain.

‘We developed this boot by identifying the specific needs of the Police in this situation’ says Steve Hall, Sales and Marketing Director ’if for example they are searching on rubbish tips they need protection underfoot from hazards such as glass and sharp objects, yet they need a really flexible and comfortable boot to get them through the day. We believe we’ve got the features just right.’

Comfort features include a lightweight, athletic construction and a breathable open cell footbed to aid comfort during long, tiring days. The new ‘Search Boot’ is now available in men's and ladies sizes.

This product will be available to see at HOSDB 2010 where Goliath will be exhibiting, or further details can obtained by calling 0845 330 6430.

Click here for full product details.