Steel Grip
Steel Grip is a privately held U.S. manufacturer of industrial personal protective equipment — including arc flash suits, chemical splash garments, FR apparel, and high-heat/molten metal protection — serving steel, electrical utility, oil and gas, and food processing customers across all 50 states from four domestic facilities.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1970
- HeadquartersDanville, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Steel Grip does
Steel Grip, Inc. is a privately held American manufacturer of industrial personal protective equipment (PPE), founded in the 1970s and headquartered in Danville, Illinois. The company operates four U.S. manufacturing facilities — three in Danville, Illinois and one each in Covington and Kingman, Indiana — producing over 3,000 safety products organized by protection type, industry, product type, and material. Core product lines include ArcGear™ arc flash protective suits, Chem Gear chemical splash garments, high-heat molten metal gloves and apparel, flame-resistant (FR) daily wear, cut and abrasion protection, and high-visibility clothing. Materials span GORE-TEX, Nomex, Kevlar, Carbon/Kevlar, aluminized fabrics, and the proprietary Air Gap Technology™ layering system, with a strategic partnership with W.L. Gore & Associates for Arc Rated PYRAD® Fabric enabling 40 Cal single-ply Category 4 arc flash protection.
The company serves four primary industrial verticals: steel and foundry operations, electrical and utility maintenance, oil and gas/petrochemical processing, and food processing and sanitation. Customers are reached through a multi-channel go-to-market: five regional sales managers and a national sales manager covering all 50 U.S. states, four regional customer service representatives, a network of industrial safety distributors extending internationally, an owned e-commerce storefront (shop.steelgripinc.com), and an active presence at major safety industry trade shows (NSC, ASSP, AISTech, Metalcasting Congress, Food Safety Summit, VPPPA). Revenue is generated primarily through one-time unit sales of stock catalog items (2–3 business day ship) and custom-made-to-order garments (20–25 business day ship), with pricing conducted via quote from the sales team rather than public list pricing.
Steel Grip's competitive position rests on an extensive portfolio of third-party certifications — UL (Chem Gear), NFPA 70E/1990/1992, ASTM F1506/F2178/F955, ISO 11612, and ANSI/ISEA standards — combined with proprietary technology, domestic manufacturing, and 40+ years of brand heritage. The company is closely held, with no disclosed private equity or venture capital backing, no subsidiaries, and no acquisition history. Recent strategic activity has centered on product line extension, including the 2023 Arc Gear Elite Series launch with GORE-TEX PYRAD®, the 2025 entry into food processing/sanitation PPE, a new women's fit molten metal workwear line, and new high-heat glove SKUs.
Steel Grip firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Steel Grip
- Legal name
- Steel Grip, Inc.
- Website
- https://steelgripinc.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1970
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Steel Grip is a privately held U.S. manufacturer of industrial personal protective equipment — including arc flash suits, chemical splash garments, FR apparel, and high-heat/molten metal protection — serving steel, electrical utility, oil and gas, and food processing customers across all 50 states from four domestic facilities.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Steel Grip industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- NAICS
- Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (3159)
- SIC
- Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Workwear, Uniform & Protective Apparel Manufacturers (CRAAAAAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cut-Resistant & Anti-Puncture Workwear (CRAAALAK), Small Leather Accessories Manufacturing (Belts/Straps/Watch Bands) (IMAOAFAG), Disposable Protective Apparel (Coveralls, Gowns, Shoe Covers) (CRAAALAM)
Keywords
Where Steel Grip is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Danville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Steel Grip business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- PPE and Workwear Product Sales: Steel Grip generates revenue primarily through the manufacture and sale of personal protective equipment (PPE), including flame-resistant apparel, high-heat gloves and mitts, arc flash suits, chemical splash gear, molten metal protection, and cut/abrasion-resistant products. Products are sold as both stock/catalog items and custom-made-to-order garments. Orders are placed via phone, email, online storefront, mail, and FAX. Stock products ship within 2–3 business days; non-stock/made-to-order products ship within 20–25 business days.
- Custom PPE Manufacturing: Steel Grip offers customization services to build PPE to specific customer requirements, including specialty electrical protective clothing and high-temperature protective clothing designed to customer specifications. This provides an additional revenue stream through tailored product development.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Stock PPE Products — Ship within 2–3 business days |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Custom/Made-to-Order PPE — Ships within 20–25 business days |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Closeout/Clearance Sale |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels10 records
Steel Grip product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Steel Grip manufactures and sells industrial personal protective equipment (PPE) and workwear, offering more than 3,000 safety products across flame-resistant apparel, arc flash suits, chemical splash garments (Chem Gear), molten metal and high-heat protection, cut/abrasion-resistant gear, and high-visibility apparel. Products are produced at four domestic U.S. manufacturing facilities as both stock catalog items (shipping in 2-3 business days) and custom-made-to-order garments (shipping in 20-25 business days). Sales occur through direct field sales, an industrial distribution network, an e-commerce storefront, and major industry trade shows, serving industrial enterprise customers across all 50 U.S. states and international markets.
Product overview
Steel Grip is a manufacturer of personal protective equipment (PPE) for industrial applications, offering over 3,000 safety products. The product portfolio is organized by protection type (arc flash via ArcGear/ArcGear Elite Series, chemical splash via Chem Gear, molten metal, high heat hand protection, cut/abrasion, and flash fire), by industry (aluminum, electrical, oil & gas, steel, chemical protection, food processing), by product type (aprons, coats, jackets, coveralls, gloves, hoods, leggings, mitts, pants, shirts, sleeves), and by materials (GORE-TEX, Carbon/Kevlar, Nomex, etc.). The company utilizes proprietary Air Gap Technology™ for arc flash layering systems. Core product lines include Chem Gear for chemical protection, ArcGear for electrical arc flash protection, High Heat Molten Metal Gloves for hand protection, and GORE-TEX PYRAD® multi-hazard garments. Products are available as stock items or customizable made-to-order garments through four domestic U.S. manufacturing facilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ArcGear™: Arc flash protective suit system certified to NFPA 70E, ASTM F1506, and ASTM F2178 standards. Includes the Arc Gear Elite Series featuring lightweight 40 Cal arc protective garments using Arc Rated PYRAD® Fabric by GORE-TEX LABS.
- Air Gap Technology™
- Chem Gear
Products and services
- Chem Gear Chemical protective clothing/ensembles providing liquid chemical splash protection meeting NFPA 1990/1992 standards. Includes UL-certified suits designed for industrial chemical handling, sanitation, and spill response applications.
- ArcGear / ArcGear Elite Series Arc flash protective clothing and suit systems certified to NFPA 70E, ASTM F1506, and ASTM F2178 standards. Includes the ArcGear Elite Series featuring 40 Cal arc protective garments using Arc Rated PYRAD® Fabric by GORE-TEX LABS for lightweight, breathable protection achieving Cat 4 arc protection in a single ply.
- High Heat Molten Metal Gloves Stock high heat molten metal gloves engineered to protect against molten ferrous, non-ferrous, and high heat applications. Features aluminized carbon/Kevlar back (14oz) tested per ASTM F955, ISO 11612 D3/E3 ratings, and carbon/Kevlar palm with ANSI/ISEA 105 Level 5 heat resistance. Includes 11oz wool lining and leather undercuff.
- GORE-TEX PYRAD® Multi-Hazard Garments Single garments providing multi-hazard protection against liquid chemicals, heat and flame, molten/hot materials, and arc flash. Lightweight and breathable construction utilizing GORE-TEX PYRAD® fabric technology.
- GORE-TEX Liquid Chemical Splash Protection Liquid chemical splash protective garments meeting NFPA 1990/1992 Standard. Lightweight and breathable construction using GORE-TEX technology for industrial chemical protection.
- Women's Molten Metal Workwear Women's fit protective garments designed for proper fit and full protection in molten metal work environments. Contact sales for details.
- Food Processing & Sanitation PPE Specialized PPE line for food processing and sanitation workers featuring hot oil and thermal protection, resistance against harsh liquid chemicals and sanitizing agents. Includes heat-resistant, chemical splash-certified, and reusable protective apparel.
- Flame Resistant Apparel Fire resistant clothing designed for secondary protection to safeguard workers exposed to open flame, sparks, and other similar heat sources. Includes FR coveralls, shirts, pants, and daily wear options.
- High Temperature Protective Clothing Primary protection garments for workers exposed to radiant heat, molten metal, sparks, and extreme thermal temperatures. Includes aluminized apparel, jackets, leggings, hoods, and aprons.
- Cut and Abrasion Protection PPE protecting against cut and abrasion hazards. Includes cut-resistant sleeves, arm guards, and garments meeting ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 standards.
- High Visibility (HiVis) Apparel High visibility safety apparel for workers in low-light environments and high traffic areas. Meets ANSI/ISEA 107-2020, CSA Z96-15, and BS EN ISO 20471:2013 standards.
Quantifiable outcome
- Companies in the oil and gas sector can spend tens of thousands of disposable chemical suits per year at $20/suit, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars annually versus reusable Steel Grip suits that last dozens of uses
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Steel Grip
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Steel Grip technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Steel Grip partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- W. L. Gore & Associates (GORE-TEX)coreSteel Grip partnered with W.L. Gore & Associates to develop the Arc Gear Elite Series, utilizing Arc Rated PYRAD® Fabric by GORE-TEX LABS. This collaboration enables single-ply Category 4 (40 Cal) arc flash protection — achieving arc ratings previously requiring multi-ply construction — in a lightweight, breathable garment. Steel Grip also uses GORE-TEX materials for its liquid chemical splash and multi-hazard protective garments. The partnership provides a key product differentiation for Steel Grip's premium arc flash and chemical protection lines.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Steel Grip competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Lakeland Industries: Lakeland Industries is a publicly traded US manufacturer of industrial protective clothing (FR, arc flash, chemical, disposable) for similar steel, utility, oil & gas, and food processing end markets — a direct comparable on product breadth, sales motion, and certifications.
- National Safety Apparel (NSA): National Safety Apparel manufactures FR, arc flash, cut-resistant, and high-heat garments from US facilities, competing head-to-head with Steel Grip's ArcGear, Chem Gear, and molten metal lines through overlapping distributor and direct channels.
- Pyramex Safety: Pyramex offers a comparable range of FR garments, safety eyewear, and head protection distributed through the same industrial safety channels; competes for mid-market and enterprise PPE orders.
- Westex (by Milliken): Westex supplies Indura and Westex Ultrasoft FR fabrics and increasingly finished garments; Steel Grip's products already use Westex Ultrasoft in FR apparel, making Westex both a key supplier and a competing FR-garment platform.
- Radians: Radians is a US-based manufacturer and value-added distributor of PPE (FR, hi-vis, hand protection, eyewear) targeting overlapping industrial safety distributors and end users via an analogous direct-plus-channel model.
Broad incumbents
- Ansell: Ansell is a global leader in industrial hand protection and protective apparel, with overlapping high-heat gloves, chemical, and arc-rated product families serving the same OSHA-driven end customers as Steel Grip.
- DuPont: DuPont manufactures Nomex/Kevlar/Tyvek raw materials and branded protective apparel (Nomex IIIA, Tyvek), competing at both the fabric-input and finished-garment level against Steel Grip's aramid-based and GORE-TEX PYRAD® products.
- 3M Personal Safety Division: 3M's Personal Safety Division offers broad PPE (respirators, head/eye, FR apparel under Scotchlite/Workrite) sold through overlapping safety distributors and is a benchmark competitor in compliance-driven industrial accounts.
- Honeywell Industrial Safety: Honeywell provides Miller, Howard Leight, and North-branded PPE plus FR/arc-rated apparel, selling into the same electrical utility and industrial safety distribution channels as Steel Grip.
- MSA Safety: MSA Safety manufactures a broad PPE portfolio (head, fall, respiratory, gas detection, FR apparel via recent acquisitions) and competes with Steel Grip for enterprise safety budgets across utility and heavy industrial customers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Steel Grip social profiles
Digital presenceSteel Grip compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance17 records
Steel Grip financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Steel Grip leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Steel Grip funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Steel Grip 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 Steel Grip
What does Steel Grip do?
Steel Grip manufactures and sells industrial personal protective equipment (PPE) and workwear, offering more than 3,000 safety products across flame-resistant apparel, arc flash suits, chemical splash garments (Chem Gear), molten metal and high-heat protection, cut/abrasion-resistant gear, and high-visibility apparel. Products are produced at four domestic U.S. manufacturing facilities as both stock catalog items (shipping in 2-3 business days) and custom-made-to-order garments (shipping in 20-25 business days). Sales occur through direct field sales, an industrial distribution network, an e-commerce storefront, and major industry trade shows, serving industrial enterprise customers across all 50 U.S. states and international markets.
Is Steel Grip a public or private company?
Steel Grip is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Steel Grip founded?
Steel Grip was founded in 1970. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Steel Grip based?
Steel Grip is headquartered in Danville, United States, in the North America region.
How does Steel Grip make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. PPE and Workwear Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are custom PPE Manufacturing.
Who are Steel Grip's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Lakeland Industries, National Safety Apparel (NSA), Pyramex Safety, Westex (by Milliken) and Radians. Broad incumbents are Ansell, DuPont, 3M Personal Safety Division, Honeywell Industrial Safety and MSA Safety.
Does Steel Grip have an API?
No public API is recorded for Steel Grip.
What industry is Steel Grip in?
Steel Grip's product category is Industrial Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAAAAAH, Workwear, Uniform & Protective Apparel Manufacturers, with a secondary code of CRAAALAK, Cut-Resistant & Anti-Puncture Workwear. Its NAICS code is 3159 and its SIC code is 2300.