Stedfast

What Stedfast does

Stedfast Inc. is a privately held, family-owned manufacturer of coated and laminated technical textiles serving protective barrier markets, founded in 1930 and headquartered in Granby, Quebec, with a US manufacturing and engineering facility in Piney Flats/Johnson City, Tennessee. The company's core technology stack is built around expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) bi-component membranes combined with polymer coatings (neoprene, polyurethane, PVC, CSM/Hypalon) over woven and non-woven aramid substrates, delivering waterproof, breathable, chemical-resistant, and flame-resistant barrier fabrics. Its product portfolio is organized under four sub-brands: STEDAIR® (waterproof breathable barriers for fire service, EMS, medical, and military), STEDPRENE® (neoprene-coated chemical and hydrocarbon protection), STEDSHIELD® (reinforcement fabrics, tarpaulins, tent and shelter systems), and SolarΣShield® (multispectral signature management for military vehicles), plus a performance coatings line and a niche compost cover product.

Stedfast sells primarily into five vertical markets: military and national defense (Canadian Armed Forces and DND procurement for CBRN, environmental, and tent systems); fire service and first responders (turnout gear moisture barriers, particulate-blocking hoods, reinforcements meeting NFPA 1970); industrial safety (oil and gas, utilities, chemical processing under NFPA 2112/70E/1992); medical PPE (surgical and isolation gowns under ANSI/AAMI PB70); and law enforcement/EMT (NFPA 1999). Go-to-market is enterprise field sales: direct procurement with the Canadian DND for military, distribution through fire service equipment suppliers for turnout gear components, and industrial safety distributors for workwear. Pricing is not publicly disclosed, but specification compliance (NFPA, EN, MIL-SPEC, Berry Amendment) drives procurement-driven purchasing.

Revenue mechanics combine direct hardware sales of barrier materials and finished component fabrics (sold by the yard or as laminated roll goods) with project-based custom manufacturing and R&D services through Stedfast Research (est. 2006) for the Canadian government and private industry. The company invests over $1M annually in R&D, holds multiple certifications (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, Berry Compliant, UL, OEKO-TEX, NFPA, EN), operates a Class 100,000 Clean Room for medical and fire service products, and holds patents including SolarΣShield with DRDC/Rheinmetall Canada. Its competitive position rests on 95 years of accumulated coating/lamination know-how, proprietary ePTFE membrane technology, dense regulatory certification, and direct relationships with Canadian defense procurement and North American fire service assemblers.

Name

Stedfast

Legal name

Stedfast Inc.

Website

https://stedfast.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1930

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Stedfast is a family-owned, 95-year-old Canadian-American manufacturer of coated and laminated technical textiles (ePTFE membranes, neoprene and polyurethane coatings) producing protective barrier fabrics for military, fire service, industrial, medical, and law enforcement markets under specifications such as NFPA, EN, and Canadian DND procurement.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Protective Barrier Technical Textiles

NAICS

Fabric Coating Mills (31332), Paint and Coating Manufacturing (325510)

SIC

Coating, Engraving & Allied Services (3470), Plastic Material, Synth Resin/Rubber, Cellulos (No Glass) (2820)

akta.pro primary industry

Protective & Safety Textiles (FR/Arc/Heat/Cut/Chemical) (IMAOADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Aerospace & Defense Technical Textiles (Ballistic/Parachute/Radar-Absorbing/Composites Reinforcement) (IMAOADAF), Chemical-Resistant & Hazardous Materials Protective Clothing (CRAAALAI), Flame & Heat Protective Foundry/Welding Apparel (CRAAALAL), Disposable Protective Apparel (Coveralls, Gowns, Shoe Covers) (CRAAALAM)

Keywords

• Protective barrier textiles
• Coated laminated fabrics
• Firefighter moisture barriers
• Military CBRN fabrics
• Industrial chemical splash protection

Headquarters

HQ city

Andover

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Protective Barrier Materials Sales: Direct sale of coated and laminated technical textile barriers to first responders, military, law enforcement, and industrial customers. Products include moisture barriers, chemical protective fabrics, and specialty military textiles sold as materials or finished components.
2. Custom Manufacturing Services: On-site technical support, laboratory testing services, and project management for government and private industry. R&D services provided to DND and private sector clients.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Stedfast designs, manufactures, and sells innovative coated and laminated technical textiles that serve as protective barriers for firefighters, military personnel, first responders, industrial workers, and healthcare professionals. Its product family centers on STEDAIR breathable waterproof moisture barriers, STEDPRENE chemical- and hydrocarbon-resistant coated fabrics, STEDSHIELD reinforcement textiles, patented SolarSigmaShield multispectral fabrics, and CBRN protective ensembles (CAT, CPCU), all certified to NFPA, EN, ASTM, ANSI/AAMI, and military specifications.

Product overview

Stedfast is a world leader in advanced barrier technologies, manufacturing value-added laminated and coated textiles since 1930. The company operates as a single unified product portfolio organized by market segment (Fire Service, Military, Industrial Safety, Medical, and Law Enforcement/EMT), with its core technology family being the STEDAIR® breathable waterproof barriers combined with STEDPRENE® coated fabrics and STEDSHIELD® reinforcement materials. The Fire Service line includes moisture barriers (STEDAIR® Gold, 4000, 3000, Clear™, and EMS series) plus particulate-blocking hood technology (PREVENT) and reinforcement fabrics (STEDSHIELD® FR). The Military segment offers CBRN protection (Chemical Active Textile/CAT and CPCU), environmental barriers (Stedair® 11, 156, 256), and heavy-duty coated fabrics (STEDPRENE® and STEDSHIELD® for tents, tarpaulins, load carriage). Industrial Safety features chemical/arc protective barriers (STEDAIR® COBALT, TUNGSTEN, ARCWORKS, and STEDPRENE® coated fabrics). Medical barriers (Stedair® TX L series) serve healthcare gowns and drapes. The company also produces niche products like compost covers and operates in partnership with Narcote for expanded capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• STEDAIR®: Brand for waterproof, breathable barrier technologies serving fire service, military, industrial, and medical applications
• STEDPRENE®
• STEDSHIELD®
• STEDTHANE®
• SolarΣShield®

Products and services

• STEDAIR Gold Premium moisture barrier for firefighters combining PBI/Nomex/Kevlar pajama check substrate with an enhanced bi-component e-PTFE membrane, providing superior flame resistance, thermal protection, and a 7-year warranty for turnout gear manufacturers and fire departments.
• STEDAIR 4000 Premium moisture barrier combining a 3.2 oz/yd2 meta-aramid pajama check substrate with an enhanced bi-component PTFE membrane with hydrophilic and oleophobic coatings, engineered for safety, performance, and durability in structural firefighting turnout gear with a 5-year warranty.
• STEDAIR 3000 Moisture barrier using microporous and monolithic film technologies with an e-PTFE bi-component barrier laminated to a non-woven aramid spunlace substrate, meeting NFPA 1970 requirements with proven THL/TPP performance and a 4-year warranty for fire service turnout gear manufacturers.
• STEDAIR PREVENT Air-permeable, flame-resistant particulate-blocking hood material providing 99.9% blocking efficiency against carcinogenic smoke particles while maintaining breathability and flame resistance through more than 200 launderings.
• STEDAIR Clear Non-fluorinated moisture barrier comprised of a meta-aramid woven substrate laminated to a non-fluorinated membrane, meeting NFPA 1971-2018 requirements as a PFAS-free solution for fire service turnout gear.
• STEDAIR 3000D and STEDAIR 3000e International moisture barriers certified to EN 469 Level 2 and AS 4967, with hydro entangled meta-aramid/para-aramid substrates, bi-component PTFE/PU membranes, OEKO-TEX Standard 100 compliance, and ISO 16604 blood-borne pathogen and viral resistance for fire brigades outside North America.
• STEDAIR EMS Series (EMS 320, EMS 450, EMS 520) NFPA 1999 certified lightweight and durable polyester woven and trilaminate fabrics laminated to waterproof breathable PTFE membranes, used as garment liners or outer shells for emergency medical and law enforcement protective apparel.
• Stedair TITANIUM Nylon woven outer shell tri-laminate with a durable waterproof bi-component membrane and polyester knit, configured for high-performance rainwear, wind blocker liners, and waterproof breathable outer shells in ANSI/CSA high-visibility colors for first responders.
• STEDSHIELD FR and STEDSHIELD FR Micro-Perforated High-performance NFPA 1970 compliant reinforcement fabrics made from durable para-aramid fibers designed for high-abrasion areas such as knees, cuffs, elbows, and shoulders of firefighter turnout gear, available in standard and laser-cut micro-perforated variants.
• STEDPRENE FR Technical reinforcement fabric for strengthening protective coat areas, made from flame-resistant cotton coated with neoprene and compliant with NFPA 1971 (2013 edition) for wrist, collar, and general edge reinforcement.
• Chemical Protective Combat Uniform (CPCU) Three-piece individual protective ensemble using activated carbon cloth that absorbs organic and inorganic molecules from gases and liquids, providing liquid, vapor, and particulate protection against chemical, biological, and radiological hazards for armed forces.
• Chemical Active Textile (CAT) Waterproof, breathable protective barrier against common chemical warfare agents that neutralizes halogenated agents through de-halogenation at the membrane surface, while protecting against industrial chemicals, viral and blood-borne pathogens, and radioactive by-products.
• Stedair 11 WMVP tri-laminate fabric combining nylon woven outer material laminated to a Stedair membrane and anti-static polyester knit, providing wind and rain protection for Army and Air Force anti-static rainwear across temperatures from +5°C to +20°C.
• Stedair 256 WMVP tri-laminate fabric combining a nylon woven outer face, Stedair membrane, and polyester tricot designed for Canadian Forces bivouac bags, providing wind, rain, and snow protection at temperatures down to -40°C and remaining waterproof after jet fuel, gasoline, degreasers, and petroleum exposure.
• Stedair 156 WMVP 3-ply nylon tricot laminate engineered for Canadian Air and Ground Forces Integrated Clothing Ensemble (ICE) and Navy Integrated Clothing Ensemble (NICE), providing environmental protection from +10°C to -45°C with optional static dissipative properties.
• STEDAIR Cobalt Flame-resistant trilaminate combining Nomex III A with a bi-component e-PTFE breathable membrane that is waterproof, windproof, and resistant to chemical splash, flash fire, and arc flash for industrial workwear manufacturers serving oil, gas, and utilities.
• STEDAIR Tungsten Lightweight, breathable chemical-splash laminate with polyester face fabric, bi-component e-PTFE membrane, and polyester knit backing, providing protection against corrosive chemicals per ASTM F903 and certified to NFPA 1992-2018 for hazardous materials environments.
• STEDAIR ArcWorks High-visibility trilaminate for electrical safety combining flame-resistant modacrylic, a bi-component e-PTFE membrane, and Nomex backing to deliver arc-flash, flash-fire, and chemical-splash protection compliant with NFPA 2112, NFPA 70E Level 2, ASTM F2733, NFPA 1992, and ANSI/ISEA 107.
• STEDPRENE Coated Fabrics Neoprene-coated protective barriers with strong resistance to acids, bases, oxidizing agents, toxic industrial chemicals, oils, and hydrocarbon derivatives, flame-resistant per ASTM D6413 and ASTM F1930 for industrial chemical splash and flash fire applications.
• STEDPRENE 399 and STEDPRENE 351 Anti-Stat Neoprene-coated ripstop nylon rainwear textiles for Canadian Forces, with the 351 variant dissipating static discharges for shipboard use; both compliant with DND specifications DSSPM-2-2-80-232 and DSSPM-2-2-80-245.
• STEDPRENE 361 215 g/m2 neoprene-coated CADPAT print nylon used in Canadian Forces Waterproof Compression Sack, Rucksack snow cuff, and Smallpack as part of the Load Carriage System, compliant with DSSPM-2-2-80-008.
• STEDPRENE 366 and STEDPRENE 111 Specialty neoprene-coated nylon fabrics for the Canadian Forces covering optical sights and rifle barrels (366) and flame-resistant neoprene/butyl/neoprene coated nylon for decontamination curtains and bags (111), compliant with DND specifications D-80-001-235 and D-80-001-088.
• STEDSHIELD 94 650 g/m2 PVC-coated polyester tarpaulin fabric for Canadian Forces MLVW and HLVW vehicles and field warehousing, resistant to weathering from -40°C to +40°C and compliant with DND specification DSSPM-2-2-80-149.
• STEDSHIELD 190 460 g/m2 PVC-coated ripstop polyester tent fabric used in Canadian Forces TEMS, maintenance shelters, Mobile Expandable Containers, and tarpaulins, providing flame resistance, UV resistance, and heat sealability compliant with DSSPM-2-2-80-204.
• SolarSigmaShield Patented multi-laminated 3D spacer fabric developed with Defence Research and Development Canada and Rheinmetall Canada that reduces solar heat load and provides multispectral signature management across IR, visual, near-IR, radar, and UV spectrums, achieving greater than 45°F internal temperature reduction for military vehicles and shelters.
• Stedair TX L4 Level I, Stedair TX L4 Level II, and Stedair TX L3 Isolation Medical barrier fabrics with polyester outer fabrics and polyester knits laminated to bi-component films, providing Level 4 (Stedair TX L4 I/II) and Level 3 (Stedair TX L3 Isolation) fluid and viral barrier protection per ANSI/AAMI PB70:2012 and ASTM F1670/F1671 for surgical gowns, isolation gowns, and drapes.
• Stedair Compost Cover Micropore trilaminate compost cover with ePTFE membrane engineered for Covered Aerated Static Pile (CASP) composting, controlling over 90% of VOC and odor emissions while allowing water vapor transmission, providing high tensile strength, UV 5000 protection, and an industry-leading warranty.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99.9% blocking efficiency after 200 wash/dry cycles
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NarcotecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership combining over 100 years of combined innovation. Narcote provides specialized capabilities in technical textile solutions, advanced coating and lamination technologies, and fabric engineering. Together they develop cutting-edge high-performance composite materials for diverse markets including automotive, medical, industrial, military, and consumer applications. Narcote operates from Tennessee with partnerships across Asia.
• Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative development partner for SolarSigmaShield technology. DRDC contributed to the development of the patented multi-laminated 3D spacer fabric for multispectral signature management.
• Rheinmetall CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative development partner for SolarSigmaShield technology. Partnered with DRDC and Stedfast in developing the patented fabric technology.
• BioworksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for sustainable biological solutions in composting systems. Bioworks is a leader in Covered Aerated Static Pile composting technology, with Stedair Compost Covers used in their systems.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/stedfastbarriertechnologies
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stedfast-stedair

Compliance22 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 Stedfast