Transportation Safety Apparel Leads Sustainability Efforts in Their Industry
Photo Credit: Brittney Bartell
By Rebekah McCubbins
Carolinas-based safety apparel brand, Transportation Safety Apparel (TSA), has built their reputation on above-and-beyond customer service. This year they are proudly celebrating their 20th year in business. Founder and owner Beverly Trimble is passionate about meeting the unique needs of each client in what is generally a male-dominated industry. “We’re constantly seeking ways to meet the changing needs of our customers,” she explains.
The commitment to their customers is what led TSA to develop an exclusive line of sustainable hi-vis safety apparel. Trimble shares that she is very proud of this venture. One of TSA’s long-term clients, a national leader in the waste management industry, has a full-circle vision for sustainability. Their goal is to upcycle the waste that they manage. This led TSA to utilize REPREVE®, the world’s leading brand of recycled performance fiber. The apparel created using these sustainable materials now keeps their clients’ employees safe on the job. Sustainability has also become a major focus for TSA in their own internal practices. From the apparel they carry, down to biodegradable bags, clay moisture absorbers, and packing materials, they have been steadfast in minimizing their environmental impact. The company’s sustainability practices are going so well, in fact, that they’ve exceeded their own expectations. The company’s goal was to reach 90% sustainability by 2024, and they had already achieved that goal earlier this year. Today, Trimble says, “that number is closer to 100% today.” One of their final steps is to move the manufacturing of their products to North America.
Trimble says their success is a result of listening to the needs of their customers. Over the years, they’ve found that clients appreciate working with TSA over larger competitors in the industry because they value the human connection they get working with TSA’s smaller team. “We have clients that have been ordering from us for 20 years. Many of our customers and employees refer to each other on a first-name basis. We are very proud of that,” Trimble shares. In these interactions, TSA’s team has learned the needs of their customers, which allows them to collaborate in the creation of new products. For instance, after listening to their clients, TSA has expanded their offerings to include corporate uniforms, as well as promotional products.
Outside of their exemplary customer service, clients also appreciate that TSA is a woman-owned business, certified through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). WBENC works to certify woman-owned businesses and provides resources and benefits to businesses like Trimble’s. She says that being a woman business owner is easier now than when she first began, and that other businesses and banks have become much more receptive and willing to work with, and support, minority businesses. “It’s nice to see a growing presence of women in this industry,” Trimble says.
Trimble also believes in the importance of supporting other women in business, sharing that she is personally focused on getting more involved in mentorship. She wants women who are considering entrepreneurship to know that they won’t be on their journey alone. She says, “It’s a risk. You are going to make mistakes.” She also remarked on seeing other women-led businesses fail before even taking off, due to the concern of not having everything perfect. “It’s a learning experience,” she says. “You’re not going to know everything when you begin, and that’s okay. Don’t be afraid to start, and reach out to others for help along the way.”
As for the future of the company, Trimble says that she plans to “expand into other markets,” diversifying their product offerings and clientele. “There’s so much opportunity,” she says, that it’s “almost overwhelming at times.” As they grow, TSA will continue to prioritize sustainability and maintaining their relationships with their current and future clients. You can find Transportation Safety Apparel online at tsasafety.com.
