Hultafors Group

What Hultafors Group does

Hultafors Group is a Swedish privately-held industrial group operating as a house of 18 premium brands across two core segments: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Hardware Solutions. The PPE segment includes workwear brands (Snickers Workwear, Fristads, Kansas, Leijona, Lyngsøe Rainwear), safety footwear (EMMA Safety Footwear, Solid Gear), and technical PPE (Hellberg Safety, Scangrip, EripioWear). The Hardware Solutions segment includes precision hand tools (Hultafors, Martinez Tools, Johnson Level & Tool, Kuny's), work gear (CLC Work Gear), and ladders (W.steps, Telesteps). Founded in 1883 with origins in the metric/imperial folding ruler invention, the group is wholly owned by Swedish holding company Investment AB Latour and operates in 70 markets with 1,800+ employees across 50 locations. Hultafors Group distributes exclusively through B2B channels including dealer networks, distributors, a Partner Portal, and direct market contacts across 27 European and North American countries, with the Nässjö (Sweden) manufacturing site being a Center of Excellence for ladder production (capacity expanding to 60,000 units/year). The group is executing an active buy-and-build M&A strategy that added approximately SEK 1.8-2 billion in revenue from 2025 acquisitions alone, with each acquired brand retaining its independent identity while sharing group-wide sustainability infrastructure (Worldfavor, Better Cotton, UN Global Compact) and distribution capabilities.

Name

Hultafors Group

Legal name

Hultafors Group AB

Website

https://hultaforsgroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1883

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Hultafors Group is a Swedish house of 18 premium professional brands manufacturing functional workwear, safety footwear, hand tools, ladders, and PPE for construction, industrial, and emergency services end-users across 70 markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bollebygd

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Hardware Solutions Sales: Sale of premium tools, measuring instruments, ladders, and hardware products through established brand portfolio including Hultafors, Johnson Level & Tool, Martinez Tools, CLC Work Gear, Kuny's, W.steps, and Telesteps.
2. Personal Protective Equipment Sales: Sale of PPE including workwear (Snickers Workwear, Fristads, Kansas, Leijona), safety footwear (EMMA Safety Footwear, Solid Gear), and protective equipment (Hellberg Safety).
3. LED Work Lights (Scangrip): Sale of professional LED work lights and illumination equipment for tradespeople and industrial applications.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Hultafors Group manufactures and sells premium professional tools, workwear, personal protective equipment (PPE), safety footwear, and ladders/scaffolding through a federated portfolio of 18 brands organized into two segments: Personal Protective Equipment and Hardware Solutions. The company sells primarily through B2B dealer and distributor networks, a Partner Portal, and direct local market contacts, targeting craftsmen, construction workers, industrial workers, and emergency services professionals across roughly 70 markets.

Product overview

Hultafors Group is a global house of premium brands organized across two core segments: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Hardware Solutions. The PPE segment includes workwear brands (Snickers Workwear, Fristads, Kansas, Leijona), safety footwear (EMMA Safety Footwear, Solid Gear Footwear), rainwear (Lyngsøe Rainwear), and technical PPE (Hellberg Safety, Scangrip, EripioWear). The Hardware Solutions segment includes tools (Hultafors, Martinez Tools, Johnson Level & Tool, Kuny's), work gear (CLC Work Gear), and ladders (W.steps, Telesteps). Each brand operates independently while sharing the group's resources, global reach, and commitment to empowering professionals with durable, high-performing products. The company was founded in 1883 and is backed by long-term owner Investment AB Latour.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hultafors Group: Global house of premium brands offering tools, workwear, and personal protective equipment for professionals.

Products and services

• Hultafors Hand Tools High-precision hand tools established in 1883, renowned for ergonomic design and durability to enhance professional safety and efficiency, committed to sustainability and innovation. Sold through dealers, distributors, and the Hultafors Group Partner Portal to professional tradespeople.
• Snickers Workwear Industry leader in premium workwear since 1975, reinventing workwear with better functionality, features, and durability based on founder Matti Viio's vision of workwear as performance enhancement. Targets professional tradespeople via dealer networks.
• Fristads Workwear Premium workwear leader since 1925, prioritizing sustainable performance and exceptional quality with pioneering advancements in sustainability for modern professionals in construction and industrial settings.
• Kansas Workwear World-class workwear manufacturer where ideas, sustainability, innovation, and human beings are core resources, focusing on durability, comfort, and functional design for professional users.
• Leijona Workwear Workwear developed in close collaboration with the Finnish industrial sector, designed for factories, mines, workshops, and construction sites for physical work in demanding environments.
• Lyngsøe Rainwear Leading manufacturer of certified, durable rainwear providing windproof, waterproof, and breathable garments, including options for high visibility, flame retardancy, and arc flash protection.
• EMMA Safety Footwear Professional footwear solutions crafted with care and minimal environmental footprint, combining decades of craftsmanship with commitment to safety, comfort, and sustainability for professional users.
• Solid Gear Footwear High-performance athletic safety footwear founded in 2008 by Johan Hult and Andreas Westling, combining the latest tech, high-quality materials, and progressive design for worker safety and comfort.
• Hellberg Safety PPE Global leader in personal protective equipment specializing in head, eye, face, and hearing protection with innovative design and advanced technology, aiming to become one of the top three head protection brands in Europe.
• Scangrip LED Work Lights Europe's leading innovator of LED work lights for professionals, transforming from a tool manufacturer to professional lighting specialist with Danish design heritage.
• EripioWear Emergency Services Clothing Ambulance clothes and firefighter station wear developed in close collaboration with emergency services professionals, focusing on functionality, comfort, and quality.
• Johnson Level & Tool Measuring Instruments High-quality levels and measuring instruments established in 1947, dedicated to precision and durability for professionals with innovation and user-friendly design.
• Martinez Tools Premium Hand Tools Premium tool manufacturer founded by Mark Martinez, known for titanium hammers and high-quality tools designed specifically for tradespeople with precision and ergonomic design.
• CLC Work Gear and Tool Storage Work gear and tool storage solutions that prioritize safety, comfort, and functionality for professionals, emphasizing durability and innovation through advanced materials and features.
• Kuny's Tool Carriers and Work Gear Next-generation tool storage with well-designed work gear, tool carriers, kneepads, and gloves, focusing on durability of materials, functionality of pockets, and comfort.
• Telesteps Telescoping Ladders Leader in telescoping ladders combining innovative safety features and ergonomic design, with products made from certified aluminum significantly reducing CO2 emissions.
• W.steps Ladders and Scaffolding Professional-grade ladders and scaffolding originally founded in the 1920s (evolved from Wibe Ladders), emphasizing safety, sustainability, and eco-friendly manufacturing using certified and recycled materials. Nässjö production capacity doubled to 60,000 ladders per year with advanced automation and closed-loop aluminum recycling.

Quantifiable outcome

• W.steps PRIME 13.5' ladder withstands 2,500 lbs of force in third-party testing
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• WorldfavorcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2020Hultafors Group implemented Worldfavor in 2020 as a sustainability management tool to improve traceability and transparency throughout the value chain. 32 sites use Worldfavor energy use tool to report emissions and waste management.
• Better CottoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSnickers Workwear and Fristads partner with Better Cotton to improve cotton farming globally. Better Cotton's mission is to help cotton communities survive and thrive while protecting the environment. Snickers Workwear commits to sourcing 80% of cotton as more sustainable cotton from 2023.
• Swedish Chemicals GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Swedish Chemicals Group disseminates latest knowledge on chemical and environmental issues to member companies. Membership provides access to external monitoring, practical tools, updates on legislation, and innovation news about non-harmful chemical alternatives.
• The Textile ImportersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrade association for companies dealing in textiles, leather goods, clothing or shoes. Provides industry-specific services to help keep up to date with trading requirements.
• UN Global CompactcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHultafors Group is a signatory to the UN Global Compact, supporting sustainable strategies grounded in Ten Principles on human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption.
• IntertekcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHultafors Group has a company-wide agreement with Intertek for third-party audits to ensure suppliers and subcontractors meet requirements stated in the Code of Conduct for business ethics, fair working conditions, and human rights.
• RISE (Research Institute of Sweden)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHultafors Group works with RISE for robust proactive chemical research throughout the value chain with support and guidance from the Swedish Chemical Group.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Helly Hansen Workwear: Scandinavian premium workwear and professional apparel brand. Directly comparable to Snickers Workwear, Fristads, and Kansas in Hultafors' PPE segment, with overlapping professional trades customer base and premium positioning.
• Red Wing Shoe Company: US manufacturer of premium work and safety footwear. Direct comparable to EMMA Safety Footwear and Solid Gear within Hultafors' PPE segment, serving similar professional trades customers with premium, durable safety footwear.
• Werner Co: Leading global manufacturer of ladders and climbing products. Direct competitor to Hultafors' W.steps and Telesteps ladder brands, with similar professional trades and industrial customer base.
• Stanley Black & Decker: Global manufacturer of professional and consumer tools, hardware, and industrial solutions. Directly comparable as a premium professional tools and hardware portfolio operator serving tradespeople, overlapping with Hultafors' Hardware Solutions segment (Hultafors, Johnson, Martinez, Kuny's).
• Ansell: Global leader in PPE solutions including hand and arm protection. Comparable to Hultafors' technical PPE brands (Hellberg Safety, Scangrip, Lyngsøe) in the professional protective equipment market, with similar end-markets and regulatory-driven demand drivers.
• Snap-on Incorporated: Premium professional tools, diagnostics, and equipment for skilled trades. Highly comparable to Hultafors' premium hand tools and measuring instruments positioning, with similar focus on professional end-users and franchise/dealer distribution.
• Klein Tools: US-based manufacturer of premium professional hand tools for electricians and tradespeople. Closely aligned with Hultafors' hand tools brands (Hultafors, Martinez) in terms of target customer, premium positioning, and durability-focused product philosophy.
• Carhartt: Iconic US workwear brand for tradespeople and industrial workers. Comparable in target market (construction, industrial workers) and premium durable workwear positioning to Snickers Workwear, Fristads, and Kansas within Hultafors' portfolio.

Others

• Indutrade AB: Swedish industrial technology holding company with a decentralized model of acquiring and growing niche industrial businesses. Highly comparable business model to Hultafors Group's house-of-brands approach, with similar long-term ownership philosophy and acquisition-driven growth.

Broad incumbents

• 3M (Safety & Industrial Business Group): Diversified global conglomerate with a substantial Safety & Industrial business including PPE, workwear accessories, and hearing/head protection. Overlaps with Hultafors' PPE segment as a much larger incumbent with broader product portfolio and deeper R&D resources.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hultafors-group

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A10 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hultafors Group