Great Lengths
Great Lengths Universal Hair Extensions S.R.L. is an Italian premium human hair extensions manufacturer, founded in Rome in 1992, that sells exclusively through a global certified-salon network of 50+ countries, using proprietary GL Keratin bonding technology and Ultrasonic Touch application hardware, with FY2023 revenue of €47M+ and DBAG as a minority investor since September 2024.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1992
- HeadquartersRoma, Italy
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Great Lengths does
Great Lengths Universal Hair Extensions S.R.L. is an Italian premium hair extensions manufacturer founded in Rome in 1992 by Matteo Antonino and Sofia Venditti. The company sources Remy double-drawn human hair from India through a traceable, ethical supply chain and manufactures finished extensions at its facility near Rome. Its product portfolio centers on four application methods — GL Pre-Bonded (keratin-bonded), GL Tapes (tape-in), GL Weft Linea, and GL Volume (a hair-thinning solution) — supported by extensive color collections (43 Natural, 10 Rooted, 9 Two-Tones, 9 Piano, 12 Fashion shades), accessories such as GL Brushes, and proprietary application hardware (Ultrasonic Touch for cold fusion with 1.2-second activation and up to 10,000 uses; GL 3200 thermal applicator). The company's core technical moat is its proprietary GL Keratin, a copolymeric bonding compound whose molecular structure mimics human hair, expanding when wet and contracting when dry.
Great Lengths operates an exclusive B2B distribution model: products are sold only to certified hair salons and stylists who complete Great Lengths' proprietary training program, with regional distributors handling country-level logistics across more than 50 markets. Revenue is generated through one-time product sales of consumable extensions (Pre-Bonded requiring re-application every 4-6 months, Tapes every 6-8 weeks with up to three reuses) plus professional services revenue from certification and training programs. Reported FY2023 revenue was €47M+, the majority of which was export-driven, served from the central Italian manufacturing base. The company maintains US operations under a separate Great Lengths USA entity, with established executive roles including an Executive Artistic Director.
The firm's competitive positioning rests on first-mover ESG credentials — first B Corp in the hair extensions industry (2022) and holder of ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 certifications — combined with a celebrity-stylist endorsement ecosystem (Marc Mena, Dimitris Giannetos, Nine Zero One Salon) and the Little Princess Trust charity partnership, which makes Great Lengths the only hair extension brand accepted for pediatric wig donations. In September 2024 Deutsche Beteiligungs AG (DBAG) made a private equity investment to support global expansion, with the founding family retaining a minority stake.
Great Lengths firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Great Lengths
- Legal name
- Great Lengths Universal Hair Extensions S.R.L.
- Website
- https://greatlengths.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1992
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Great Lengths Universal Hair Extensions S.R.L. is an Italian premium human hair extensions manufacturer, founded in Rome in 1992, that sells exclusively through a global certified-salon network of 50+ countries, using proprietary GL Keratin bonding technology and Ultrasonic Touch application hardware, with FY2023 revenue of €47M+ and DBAG as a minority investor since September 2024.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Great Lengths industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Premium Human Hair Extensions
- SIC
- Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Hair Extensions, Wigs & Hairpieces (CRABABAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Salon Hair Tools & Electricals (Dryers, Irons, Clippers) (CRABALAD), Hair Accessories (Clips, Bands, Headbands) (CRABAKAH)
Keywords
Where Great Lengths is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Roma
- HQ country
- Italy
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Great Lengths business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Product Sales to Certified Salons: Great Lengths generates revenue through B2B sales of hair extension products (Pre-Bonded, Tapes, Wefts, Volume solutions) and accessories (brushes, removal products) exclusively to certified partner salons and stylists worldwide.
- Stylist Certification and Training: The company provides certification training programs for hair stylists wanting to become Great Lengths certified applicators, generating revenue through training fees.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Professional channel only - no direct consumer pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Great Lengths product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Great Lengths manufactures premium Remy Double Drawn human hair extensions handcrafted in Italy and sells them exclusively through a global network of certified salons and stylists. Core product lines include GL Pre-Bonded, GL Tapes, GL Weft Linea, and GL Volume, supported by proprietary application technologies (Ultrasonic Touch, GL 3200), an extensive color portfolio, and a stylist certification and training program.
Product overview
Great Lengths is a premium hair extensions brand founded in Rome, Italy in 1992, offering a comprehensive portfolio of human hair extension products and accessories. The core product lines include GL PRE-BONDED (keratin-bonded extensions) and GL TAPES (tape-in extensions), complemented by specialized solutions like GL VOLUME for hair thinning. The company provides extensive color collections including Natural (43 shades), Rooted, Two-Tones, Piano, and Fashion colors. Supporting products include GL BRUSHES, application technologies (ULTRASONIC TOUCH, GL 3200), and GL Keratin bonding compounds. All products feature ethically sourced Remy human hair with Double Drawn quality, handcrafted in Italy. Great Lengths also offers a certified stylist education program and partners with Little Princess Trust for hair donation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- GL Pre-Bonded
Quantifiable outcome
- Pre-Bonded extensions can last up to 5 months with proper maintenance
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Great Lengths
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Great Lengths technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Great Lengths partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- HairbrainedcoreHairbrained.com collaborated on coverage of 'The Art of Extensions – An Italian Journey' event, providing editorial content and promotional support for the brand's flagship influencer event.
- Little Princess TrustflagshipGreat Lengths partners with The Little Princess Trust since 2015 to donate used hair extensions that are transformed into free wigs for children and young people (up to 24 years) who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment or other conditions. Great Lengths extensions are the only ones accepted by the charity. James Henderson, CEO of M Hair, initiated this partnership.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Great Lengths competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Hairdreams: Austrian premium hair extensions manufacturer selling through certified partner salons. Closest geographic and product analog to Great Lengths with similar keratin bonding and tape-in technologies and a professional-channel model.
- Easihair Pro: US-based professional hair extensions brand focused on tape-in and bond methods via licensed stylists. Direct overlap with Great Lengths in Pre-Bonded and Tape product categories.
- Hotheads Hair Extensions: US professional hair extensions brand sold exclusively through certified salons via tape-in and I-Link methods. Operates with a similar certified-stylist distribution model to Great Lengths.
- Cinderella Hair Extensions: European premium human hair extensions supplier sold through salons, overlapping directly with Great Lengths' Pre-Bonded, Tape-in and Volume equivalents.
- Daniel Alain: Premium 100% European hair extensions and toppers brand sold through certified stylists. Direct peer in the premium hair-extension niche with overlap in hair-loss/top-of-head solutions.
- HairDo: Hair extension brand offering clip-in, tape-in and halo solutions through salon and online channels. Comparable to Great Lengths in tape-in technology but with more DTC exposure.
Broad incumbents
- Balmain Hair Couture: Luxury hair extensions and accessories line from the Balmain fashion house, distributed through high-end salons. Overlaps with Great Lengths in premium positioning and salon channel, but broader portfolio.
- Wella Professionals: Global professional haircare major covering color, care, and styling. Strong incumbent in the same certified-salon channel that Great Lengths relies on, though focused on color/care rather than extensions.
- Schwarzkopf Professional: Henkel-owned global professional hair brand. Operates across the same certified-stylist distribution channel with broader haircare and color products, providing an incumbent benchmark for professional-channel scale.
Emerging players
- Luxy Hair: Direct-to-consumer clip-in hair extensions brand, predominantly online. Competes for the same end consumer but bypasses the certified-salon channel, representing a structural alternative to Great Lengths' model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Great Lengths social profiles
Digital presenceGreat Lengths compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Great Lengths financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Great Lengths leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Great Lengths funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Great Lengths M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Great Lengths
What does Great Lengths do?
Great Lengths manufactures premium Remy Double Drawn human hair extensions handcrafted in Italy and sells them exclusively through a global network of certified salons and stylists. Core product lines include GL Pre-Bonded, GL Tapes, GL Weft Linea, and GL Volume, supported by proprietary application technologies (Ultrasonic Touch, GL 3200), an extensive color portfolio, and a stylist certification and training program.
Is Great Lengths a public or private company?
Great Lengths is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was Great Lengths founded?
Great Lengths was founded in 1992. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Great Lengths based?
Great Lengths is headquartered in Roma, Italy, in the Europe region.
How does Great Lengths make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Product Sales to Certified Salons are the primary driver. The others are stylist Certification and Training.
Who are Great Lengths's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Hairdreams, Easihair Pro, Hotheads Hair Extensions, Cinderella Hair Extensions, Daniel Alain and HairDo. Broad incumbents are Balmain Hair Couture, Wella Professionals and Schwarzkopf Professional. Luxy Hair is listed as an emerging player.
Does Great Lengths have an API?
No public API is recorded for Great Lengths.
What industry is Great Lengths in?
Great Lengths's product category is Premium Human Hair Extensions. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRABABAH, Hair Extensions, Wigs & Hairpieces, with a secondary code of CRABALAD, Salon Hair Tools & Electricals (Dryers, Irons, Clippers). Its SIC code is 2844.