Portwest Workwear

Founded in 1904 in County Mayo, Ireland, Protest began when Charles Hughes established a small manufacturing company producing durable garments for agricultural, fishing and industrial workers. From the beginning, the focus was always on creating clothing tough enough to withstand demanding labour. By the 1930s, the company had expanded throughout Ireland and the UK, moving beyond general workwear to develop garments tailored to specific industries. As workplace safety regulations increased across the UK in the mid 20th century, Portwest evolved its product range to include high visibility fabrics and enhanced protective features.

By 1978, Protest introduced its first high visibility collection, a significant milestone in the development of personal protective equipment (PPE.) During the 1980s and 1990s, the company expanded across Europe, designing specialised clothing for extreme weather and hazardous environments. Today, Protest remains a family owned business. It has grown into a global brand employing more than 5,000 people, supplying customers in over 130 countries. The company operates with six international warehouses and has sales offices in the UK, USA, Australia, UAE, Ireland and Poland.