Europe sees surge in PPE and workwear tenders worth over €100 million

The European public sector is undergoing a sharp rise in procurement activity for specialised workwear and personal protective equipment, with contracts worth more than €100 million announced in the past week. The largest of these is a €66.6 million framework for the Hamburg Fire Department, setting a new benchmark for long-term strategic supply contracts in the sector.

The Hamburg deal, spanning six years, covers service clothing and protective gear for both professional and volunteer firefighters. Its size and scope are expected to attract bids from the most established European suppliers, raising the bar for competition across the market.

Beyond Germany, a wave of tenders reflects a Europe-wide commitment to upgrading protective equipment. Highlights include €6.8 million in flame-retardant clothing for Germany’s energy sector, €6.24 million in PPE for Athens municipal workers, a €6.1 million national procurement in Croatia, and a €5 million joint firefighter procurement in France. The trend reveals not only rising investment but also more consolidated approaches, as seen in France’s joint bidding initiative.

Winning these contracts requires more than meeting technical specifications. Competitive intelligence is fast becoming the differentiator, with leading players such as SNC International and CWS Workwear Deutschland leveraging prior wins and established credibility to strengthen their bids. Tracking competitor patterns and pricing history is proving vital in securing market share.

AI platforms like tend.ee are reshaping the process by turning fragmented procurement data into actionable strategy, enabling suppliers to move from reactive bidding to proactive market positioning.

Access the full report to explore emerging opportunities and strategic insights for competing effectively in Europe’s public sector PPE market.