Elbeco
Elbeco manufactures performance uniform apparel for public safety professionals — police, fire, EMS, corrections, security, and transportation — distributing through a 400+ authorized dealer network across North America and Europe as a brand within LION Group.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1907
- HeadquartersReading, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Elbeco does
Elbeco, Inc. is a Reading, Pennsylvania-based manufacturer of performance uniform apparel for the public safety industry, founded in 1907 by the Lurio family and operated continuously for four generations before being acquired by LION Group, Inc. via asset purchase in February 2022. The company designs, manufactures, and distributes uniforms — including shirts, pants, outerwear, tactical gear, dress uniforms, and accessories — for police, fire, EMS, corrections, security, and transportation professionals across North America and Europe. Its product engineering centers on proprietary nano-level textile technologies: permanent fluid repellency, fiber-level moisture wicking, UV40+ protection, antimicrobial odor control, 4-way stretch fabrics, Hydrotech waterproof/breathable membranes, and a 3-in-1 modular outerwear system, with a custom women's fit line designed specifically for female first responders. The Shield Protective Mask is a patented design within the product portfolio.
The business operates exclusively through a B2B2B indirect channel: more than 400 authorized dealers globally — including Galls, OfficerStore, FireStore, EMSstore, Streichers, GT Distributors, LA Police Gear, MES Fire, Ray O'Herron Co, and Skaggs Public Safety — supplemented by wholesale distribution through Kroll International and a direct enterprise field sales team of Territory Business Managers and Metro Account Managers. Revenue is generated through one-time sales of uniforms and accessories plus customization services (heat transfer, emblem placement, embroidery, tailoring) for department-specific requirements. The go-to-market is reinforced by a free wear test program (30-60 day evaluations), product demos, and presence at IACP and FDIC conferences. Elbeco's sub-brands include UFX Tactical, Reflex, CX360, TexTrop, and Shield. As a brand within LION Group, Elbeco retains operational autonomy at its Reading headquarters while leveraging the parent's broader first-responder PPE portfolio, fire service expertise (LION supplies 50 of the 100 largest fire departments in North America), and international infrastructure.
Elbeco firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Elbeco
- Legal name
- Elbeco Inc.
- Website
- https://elbeco.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1907
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Elbeco manufactures performance uniform apparel for public safety professionals — police, fire, EMS, corrections, security, and transportation — distributing through a 400+ authorized dealer network across North America and Europe as a brand within LION Group.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Elbeco industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Safety Uniforms
- NAICS
- Apparel Manufacturing (315), Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (31599)
- SIC
- Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Safety & Law Enforcement Uniforms (CRAAALAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Fire-Resistant (FR) & Arc-Rated Apparel (CRAAALAD), High-Visibility (Hi-Vis) Safety Apparel (CRAAALAE), Workwear, Uniform & Protective Apparel Manufacturers (CRAAAAAH), Workwear, Uniforms & Safety Apparel Cut & Sew (IMAOAEAC)
Keywords
Where Elbeco is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Reading
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Elbeco business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Uniform Sales: Elbeco generates revenue through the sale of performance uniforms, shirts, pants, outerwear, tactical gear, and accessories for public safety professionals. Products are sold through authorized dealers and distributors rather than direct-to-consumer.
- Customization Services: Additional revenue streams include customization services such as heat transfer, emblem placement, embroidery, and tailoring for department-specific requirements.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Wear test program - free samples for qualified departments |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Elbeco product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Elbeco designs, manufactures and distributes performance uniforms — including shirts, pants, outerwear, tactical gear, dress uniforms and accessories — for public safety professionals in law enforcement, fire, EMS, corrections, security, and transportation markets. Products are sold through a global network of 400+ authorized dealers and a direct enterprise sales team, with proprietary nano fabric technologies for fluid repellency, moisture wicking, UV protection, and stretch performance.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- UFX Tactical: Tactical uniform line featuring UFX Persist with 4-way stretch fabric and UFX Bold with stretch-ripstop technology, designed for law enforcement and tactical professionals.
- Reflex
- CX360
- TexTrop
- Shield
Quantifiable outcome
- Fluids bead up and roll off fabric, keeping wearers dry in any situation
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Elbeco
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Elbeco technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
Elbeco partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and major.
- LION GroupcoreIn February 2022, LION, the largest family-owned manufacturer of first responder PPE in the US, acquired the Elbeco brand through an asset purchase. LION is a fourth-generation family-owned company founded in 1898 and headquartered in Dayton, Ohio. Elbeco's headquarters in Reading, PA and dedicated corporate sales and management team continue to drive day-to-day operations. The acquisition allows LION to offer an expanded uniform product portfolio and strengthens their market presence for first responders.
- International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)flagshipLION partners with IAFC for the International Fellowship Program (IFP), which places international firefighters in leading US fire departments for six-month training experiences. LION provides state-of-the-art PPE for participating firefighters, with PPE becoming lasting assets for host departments. The program fosters international collaboration and cultural exchange within the firefighting community.
- Saudi AramcocoreSaudi Aramco Oil Company sponsors the IAFC International Fellowship Program, sending approximately 32 members of its Fire Protection Department to the US per year in four cohorts. The program provides cultural exchange and professional development for Saudi Aramco firefighters who are vetted and nominated based on outstanding performance.
- Kroll InternationalmajorKroll International is a leading wholesale-only supplier of law enforcement, military tactical, public safety, homeland security and shooting sports equipment. Elbeco products are available through Kroll as an additional distribution channel for authorized customers.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Elbeco competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Blauer Manufacturing: Blauer is a closely comparable direct peer, designing and manufacturing performance uniforms, outerwear, and station wear for law enforcement, fire, and EMS — the same core verticals Elbeco serves. Both compete head-to-head on technology-led public safety uniforms and similar dealer-channel distribution.
- 5.11 Tactical: 5.11 Tactical is a direct peer in law enforcement, tactical, and first-responder apparel, offering uniforms, outerwear, and duty gear. It overlaps substantially with Elbeco's UFX Tactical and Reflex lines for the police, security, and EMS buyer.
- Propper International: Propper is a direct peer serving law enforcement, military, and public safety with uniforms and duty apparel. It competes with Elbeco in police uniforms and tactical programs and follows a comparable dealer and government-procurement distribution model.
- Flying Cross (Fechheimer Brothers): Flying Cross, part of Fechheimer/Berkshire Hathaway, is a direct peer producing police, sheriff, fire, and EMS uniforms including dress and duty lines. It competes in the same agency contracts and dealer channels as Elbeco.
- I. Spiewak & Sons: Spiewak is a direct peer in public safety outerwear, duty uniforms, and dress apparel for police, fire, and EMS. It competes in overlapping dealer channels and even shares talent with Elbeco (a current Elbeco manager previously served as Senior Account Manager at Spiewak).
- TRU-SPEC (ATLANCO): TRU-SPEC is a direct peer in tactical and public safety apparel, including BDU-style and duty uniforms. It competes with Elbeco's UFX Tactical and Reflex lines for the law enforcement and security buyer.
- First Tactical: First Tactical is a direct peer in tactical and duty apparel for law enforcement, EMS, and security professionals. It overlaps with Elbeco on outerwear, pants, and shirts sold through uniform and tactical dealers.
- Horace Small (VF Corporation): Horace Small is a direct peer producing public safety uniforms (including New Dimensions) for law enforcement, fire, and security. It sells through the same authorized dealer channel as Elbeco and competes for the same agency bid opportunities.
Broad incumbents
- Safariland (Vestis): Safariland is a broader incumbent in public safety and law enforcement, spanning body armor, holsters, duty gear, and uniforms. It overlaps with Elbeco on tactical and law enforcement apparel, but its scale and product breadth extend well beyond uniforms.
Others
- Galls: Galls is one of Elbeco's largest authorized dealers and a dominant distributor of public safety uniforms and equipment. While not a product competitor in the same way, it is a closely coupled channel partner whose commercial terms and shelf positioning materially shape Elbeco's reach and pricing.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Elbeco social profiles
Digital presenceElbeco financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Elbeco leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles19 records
Elbeco funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Elbeco 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 Elbeco
What does Elbeco do?
Elbeco designs, manufactures and distributes performance uniforms — including shirts, pants, outerwear, tactical gear, dress uniforms and accessories — for public safety professionals in law enforcement, fire, EMS, corrections, security, and transportation markets. Products are sold through a global network of 400+ authorized dealers and a direct enterprise sales team, with proprietary nano fabric technologies for fluid repellency, moisture wicking, UV protection, and stretch performance.
Is Elbeco a public or private company?
Elbeco is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Elbeco founded?
Elbeco was founded in 1907. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Elbeco based?
Elbeco is headquartered in Reading, United States, in the North America region.
How does Elbeco make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Uniform Sales are the primary driver. The others are customization Services.
Who are Elbeco's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Blauer Manufacturing, 5.11 Tactical, Propper International, Flying Cross (Fechheimer Brothers), I. Spiewak & Sons, TRU-SPEC (ATLANCO), First Tactical and Horace Small (VF Corporation). Safariland (Vestis) is listed as a broad incumbent. Galls is listed as an others.
Does Elbeco have an API?
No public API is recorded for Elbeco.
What industry is Elbeco in?
Elbeco's product category is Public Safety Uniforms. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAAALAC, Public Safety & Law Enforcement Uniforms, with a secondary code of CRAAALAD, Fire-Resistant (FR) & Arc-Rated Apparel. Its NAICS code is 315 and its SIC code is 2300.