The Professional Clothing Industry Association Worldwide (PCIAW®) has announced the formation of its Defence & Security Steering Group, bringing together senior industry leaders, technical experts, manufacturers and end-users to address some of the most pressing challenges facing defence clothing, equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE).
The Steering Group forms part of PCIAW®’s wider move towards a strategic industrial advisory model, providing a structured framework through which industry expertise can be translated into practical projects, technical guidance and evidence that supports operational effectiveness, supply chain resilience and inclusive PPE standards.
The group will be chaired by Rick van Es, representing MEMBRYX® GmbH as a PCIAW® Director, providing Board-level oversight alongside expertise in tactical camouflage and system integration. The Steering Group will be capped at 11 voting members to support focused decision-making and clear accountability.
From Industry Discussion to Implementation
The Defence & Security Steering Group builds upon PCIAW®’s programme of Defence & Security Technical Round Tables, which since 2022 have brought together manufacturers, suppliers and end-users to identify systemic barriers to innovation across the sector.
Previous discussions have explored issues including defence procurement models, far-shore sourcing, supply chain resilience, product performance, proprietary integrity and the need to ensure that clothing and PPE meet the practical requirements of personnel operating in demanding environments.
The new Steering Group will take this work further by moving from identifying challenges towards developing practical, collaborative projects capable of supporting measurable industry progress.
“With ongoing conflicts and rapidly evolving threats, closer collaboration between industry, authorities and end users is more important than ever. The PCIAW Defence & Law Enforcement Steering Group brings the right expertise together to address these challenges and turn operational needs into practical solutions. Our shared goal must be to enhance the safety and effectiveness of military and law enforcement personnel – from protection against fire and environmental hazards to advanced camouflage that reduces detection by modern reconnaissance technologies.”
Rick van Es, PCIAW® Director and Chair of the Defence & Security Steering Group
Three Strategic Priorities
The Steering Group’s initial roadmap will focus on three areas where PCIAW® has identified a need for greater industry collaboration and technical evidence.
Inclusive PPE will examine the fit and performance of protective equipment across different users, with particular attention given to female-fit body armour. The long-term objective is to support defence-specific inclusive product standards and ensure appropriate levels of protection for all personnel.
This work is expected to contribute towards a Female-Fit Body Armour White Paper in 2028.
Lifecycle Costing will examine how procurement decisions can move beyond a focus on the lowest initial unit price and towards a fuller assessment of long-term contract value. The Steering Group will consider factors including durability, product performance and lifecycle costs, with a Lifecycle Costing Assessment planned for 2027.
Supply Security will focus on vulnerabilities created by changes in chemical regulation and material availability. One area of work will be mapping reliance on PFAS chemistry and evaluating the performance and availability of PFAS-free alternatives for battlefield and defence applications.
Together, these projects are intended to create an evidence base that can support procurement teams, manufacturers, suppliers and other stakeholders when responding to changing operational, regulatory and supply chain requirements.
Bringing the Defence Value Chain Together
Membership of the Steering Group will be drawn from across the defence clothing and PPE value chain.
PCIAW® members will be able to nominate senior leaders and technical experts, including fibre and material specialists, garment manufacturers, technology providers and end-user buyers. Nominations will be reviewed to ensure the group maintains a balanced combination of technical knowledge, manufacturing expertise and frontline perspectives.
By connecting these different areas of expertise, PCIAW® aims to ensure that industry challenges are considered from the complete product lifecycle – from material selection and product development through to procurement, deployment, performance and end-of-life considerations.
Turning Evidence into Industry Action
The launch of the Defence & Security Steering Group represents the next stage of PCIAW®’s work within the sector.
Rather than operating solely as a forum for discussion, the group has been established to provide a structured route through which identified challenges can progress into research, technical assessments, collaborative projects and practical recommendations.
Through the Steering Group, PCIAW® will continue bringing together expertise from across the global professional clothing industry to help strengthen the connection between policy, procurement, product development and the realities experienced by end-users.
The Defence & Security Steering Group is one part of PCIAW®’s wider Steering Group initiative, designed to transform industry knowledge and technical expertise into practical implementation across the professional clothing sector.
Find out more about the PCIAW® Defence & Security Steering Group, its Strategic Implementation Roadmap and opportunities to nominate an expert for a seat on the group:
Defence & Security Steering Group | PCIAW®
The work of PCIAW®’s Steering Groups will also form part of the wider industry conversation at the PCIAW® Summit, Exhibition & Awards 2026, taking place on 21–22 October 2026 at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms, London, where leaders from across the professional clothing supply chain will come together under this year’s theme, “The Implementation Phase.”
