Principle Business Enterprises, Inc.

What Principle Business Enterprises, Inc. does

Principle Business Enterprises, Inc. (PBE) is a family-owned manufacturer founded in 1961 and headquartered in Bowling Green, Ohio, with manufacturing operations in Dunbridge, Ohio. The company designs, produces, and distributes high-performance absorbent products and patient safety footwear across three business units: Tranquility incontinence products (disposable briefs, pull-on underwear, pads, underpads, and specialty swimwear in sizes from youth to 5XL bariatric), Pillow Paws fall-prevention footwear for acute care settings, and Gelok International superabsorbent laminates and airlaid composites for industrial applications. PBE generates revenue primarily through unit sales of branded products via four go-to-market channels: a dedicated government/VA sales team, major healthcare distributors, direct-to-consumer e-commerce at TranquilityProducts.com, and Medicaid channels through the Tranquility Essential lineup.

The company's core technology is built on proprietary nonwovens engineering, including the Air-Plus breathable materials platform combined with superabsorbent cores, and 20 years of pioneering bariatric product development. PBE's offerings are differentiated by pH neutralization, 100% breathable construction, and the widest size range in the incontinence category. Tranquility products are used in over 70% of VA facilities and state-operated Veterans homes nationwide, and the brand has been recognized on Forbes Health's 'Best Adult Diapers' list three consecutive years (2022-2024) and as an NAFC Trusted Partner. The company employs 251-500 people across its two northwest Ohio facilities and recently completed leadership refreshes and a strategic investment to double plus-size production capacity. PBE is controlled by the Stocking family, with no institutional or private equity ownership disclosed, and has historically grown through organic reinvestment rather than external capital.

Name

Principle Business Enterprises, Inc.

Legal name

Principle Business Enterprises, Inc.

Website

https://principlebusinessenterprises.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Principle Business Enterprises is a family-owned Ohio manufacturer of Tranquility branded superabsorbent incontinence products, Pillow Paws fall-prevention footwear, and Gelok industrial laminates, serving hospitals, VA facilities, distributors, and consumers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Incontinence and Absorbent Healthcare Products Manufacturing

NAICS

Sanitary Paper Product Manufacturing (322291)

SIC

Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

Adult Incontinence Products (CRADALAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Incontinence & Urological Supplies (Catheters, Briefs, Ostomy Supplies) (HSABAKAH), Incontinence Products (Adult & Baby Diapers/Training Pants) (IMAMAGAE), Medical & Hygiene Disposables (Underpads, Disposable Washcloths, Bed Bath Products) (CRADALAK), Incontinence & Bladder Leak Products (Feminine) (CRABAIAM)

Keywords

• Incontinence products manufacturing
• Fall-prevention footwear
• Absorbent laminates production
• Healthcare consumables
• Protective undergarments

Headquarters

HQ city

Bowling Green

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Incontinence Products Sales: Sale of Tranquility branded incontinence products including disposable briefs, pull-on underwear, pads, underpads, and specialty products. Revenue from healthcare facilities, nursing homes, clinics, Veterans' facilities, and direct-to-consumer e-commerce.
2. Acute Care Solutions: Sale of Pillow Paws fall-prevention footwear and patient safety products to healthcare settings.
3. Gelok Industrial Products: Sale of superabsorbent laminates and airlaid composites to industrial and consumer product manufacturers through Gelok International brand.
4. Private Label/Contract Manufacturing: Contract manufacturing and private label opportunities for absorbent products.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Principle Business Enterprises, Inc. (PBE) manufactures incontinence care products under the Tranquility brand, fall-prevention footwear under the Pillow Paws brand, and industrial absorbent laminates under the Gelok International brand. The company serves healthcare, institutional, and industrial customers with absorbent and protective products developed and produced in-house.

Product overview

Principle Business Enterprises (PBE) manufactures high-performance absorbent products and footwear safety solutions. The company operates three main business units: Incontinence Products (under the Tranquility brand with Premium, Essential, and Specialty sub-brands offering disposable briefs, pull-on underwear, pads, underpads, and specialty swimwear in sizes from youth to 5XL bariatric), Acute Care Solutions (featuring Pillow Paws fall-prevention footwear), and Industrial Solutions (Gelok International producing superabsorbent laminates and airlaid composites). PBE is a family-owned business founded in 1961, with manufacturing facilities in northwest Ohio.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tranquility: High-performance superabsorbent incontinence care products, including disposable briefs, pull-on underwear, pads, underpads, and specialty swimwear. Available in sizes from youth to 5XL bariatric. Includes sub-brands: Tranquility Premium, Tranquility Essential, and Tranquility Specialty.
• Pillow Paws
• Gelok International
• Principle Business Fund

Products and services

• Tranquility Incontinence Products
• Pillow Paws Fall-Prevention Footwear
• Gelok International Industrial Absorbent Laminates

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2 million consecutive work hours without OSHA Lost-Time Accident
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Ability CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 November 2025Launched Northwest Ohio Medical Supply Closet in November 2025 to provide incontinence supplies at no cost to area residents and caregivers. Monthly distribution points at The Ability Center location.
• Area Office on Aging of Northwest OhiocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 November 2025Partner in Northwest Ohio Medical Supply Closet initiative to support caregivers and individuals managing incontinence at no cost.
• Angelini Technologies-FAMECCANICAcoreTechnology or Integration · 27 September 2024Manufacturing equipment partner that helped upgrade Dunbridge, OH bariatric disposable incontinence product lines, enabling launch of two new 3XL Underwear products under Tranquility brand.
• Toledo ZoominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 November 2023Principle Business Fund partnered with Toledo Zoo to provide 255 annual memberships at no cost to veterans. Zoo offers sensory services and powered height-adjustable adult changing table.
• Veterans Affairs (VA) FacilitiescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 30 November 2023Over 70% of VA and state-operated Veterans homes nationwide use Tranquility incontinence products. PBE reorganized government sales team for dedicated support.
• National Association for Continence (NAFC)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2023NAFC Trusted Partner Program - PBE/Tranquility designated as 2023 Trusted Partner demonstrating industry-leading standard for incontinence care product quality and customer service.
• National Association for Continence (NAFC)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2023Renewed partnership through NAFC's Trusted Partner Program following rigorous review ensuring product excellence, value, and responsiveness standards.
• CarewellminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 December 2022Tranquility sponsored 2023 Carewell Caregiver Awards - six award categories recognizing outstanding unpaid family caregivers with prize money totaling $10,000.
• Elizabeth Dole FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 October 2022Joint fundraising campaign contributed $295,000 total ($100,000 from Principle Family Fund plus $195,000 matched) for Respite Relief for Military and Veteran Caregivers program, benefiting 340 military families.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Essity AB (TENA): Global leader in incontinence care under the TENA brand. Directly comparable as a premium incontinence manufacturer across institutional and consumer channels.
• Kimberly-Clark Corporation: Global CPG leader owning Depend and Poise, the largest adult incontinence and light bladder leak brands. Directly comparable as competing in the same channel and category with broader portfolio scale.
• Procter & Gamble (P&G): Owner of Always Discreet, a direct premium incontinence competitor. Directly comparable through feminine/bladder-care incontinence portfolio sold via mass retail and institutional channels PBE also serves.
• Medline Industries: Major manufacturer and distributor of medical supplies including incontinence products for hospitals and long-term care. Directly comparable as a healthcare-channel competitor serving many of the same institutional buyers.
• Cardinal Health: Healthcare products distributor carrying incontinence supplies into hospitals, nursing homes, and home health channels PBE serves. Comparable at the channel and customer-base layer.
• Hartmann Group (PAUL HARTMANN): European medical and hygiene products company with incontinence portfolio (MoliCare). Comparable as a healthcare-focused incontinence manufacturer serving institutional and consumer markets.

Direct peers

• Ontex Group: European-based private-label and branded incontinence/hygiene manufacturer serving retail and institutional customers. Comparable as a similarly-positioned specialty manufacturer competing in adult incontinence.
• First Quality Products: Privately held manufacturer of absorbent hygiene products including adult incontinence under the Prevail brand. Closely comparable as a similarly-sized private competitor in the heavy-to-severe incontinence segment.
• Attends Healthcare (formerly Domtar Personal Care): Adult incontinence brand focused on heavy incontinence and bariatric users, now part of private hands. Directly comparable as an incontinence-only competitor with overlapping institutional channel.

Regional players

• TZMO SA: Polish personal-care and incontinence manufacturer with brands like Seni. Comparable as an incontinence specialist with growing international reach but limited overlap in the US market where PBE primarily operates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/principlebusiness
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/principle-business-enterprises

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Principle Business Enterprises, Inc.