What Toffeln does

Toffeln is a privately held UK healthcare products company headquartered in Kingswood, Bristol, founded in 1978, that designs, manufactures, and distributes specialist footwear and complementary medical supplies for healthcare professionals. Its core offering is biomechanically engineered footwear featuring proprietary technologies including GripSafe SRC-rated slip-resistant soles, SmartSole contoured footbeds for plantar fasciitis relief, E-Tech comfort materials, and the Green T carbon-neutral EVA compound. Beyond footwear, Toffeln has built a multi-category portfolio spanning medical devices (the UltraView 2.0 cordless surgical headlight, electrosurgical, laparoscopic, and obstetric instruments acquired via Avail Medical in August 2024), healthcare apparel (sterile and non-sterile gowns, warming jackets, face and eye protection), drapes and packs, theatre safety products, and decontamination consumables and furniture under the Sterila sub-brand.

Toffeln serves UK healthcare professionals — primarily nurses, doctors, surgeons, and other NHS staff — alongside adjacent professional segments such as podiatrists, veterinarians, dentists, and hairdressers. The company sells through a dual-channel model: direct-to-consumer e-commerce on shop.toffeln.com (Shopify-powered, with Shop Pay, Klarna, Google Pay, PayPal, and Stripe) at unit prices of £34.95-£79.95 per pair for footwear and £5.95 per insole, and institutional sales to NHS trusts and healthcare organisations via the NHS Supply Chain framework. The company also operates Toffeln Academy, a clinical education platform delivering in-person training, live webinars, and an online learning centre, and maintains ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and Cyber Essentials Plus certifications, along with CE, UKCA, EN ISO 20345:2011, and EN 20347:2012 product certifications. The 11-50 employee business is privately held with no disclosed parent company, institutional investors, or external funding rounds.

Name

Toffeln

Legal name

Toffeln Ltd

Website

https://toffeln.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Toffeln is a UK-based, privately held healthcare products company founded in 1978 that designs and distributes specialist biomechanically engineered footwear, medical devices, apparel, and decontamination supplies primarily to NHS staff and adjacent professional verticals through direct e-commerce and NHS Supply Chain channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Healthcare Footwear and Medical Supplies

NAICS

Footwear Manufacturing (31621), Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing (339112), Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing (339113)

SIC

Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842), Footwear, (No Rubber) (3140), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

Comfort, Orthopedic & Medical Footwear (CRAAACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Single-Use Surgical Devices & Procedure Packs (Disposable instruments, drapes, kits) (HLAHADAM), Foot Care & Orthotics OTC (Corn/Callus Care, Insoles, Athlete’s Foot Treatments) (CRADAMAL)

Keywords

• Healthcare footwear
• Medical devices
• Sterile surgical drapes
• Decontamination packaging
• Slip-resistant shoes

Headquarters

HQ city

Bristol

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Healthcare Footwear Sales: Direct-to-consumer and institutional sales of specialised healthcare footwear including clogs, trainers, and shoes through e-commerce and NHS Supply Chain.
2. Medical Devices Sales: Sales of medical devices including surgical headlights, electrosurgical instruments, laparoscopic devices, and obstetric equipment for healthcare professionals.
3. Healthcare Apparel and Consumables: Sales of healthcare apparel including sterile/non-sterile gowns, warming jackets, face protection, drapes, packs, and decontamination products.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Toffeln designs, manufactures, and supplies healthcare footwear — including clogs, trainers, and shoes — featuring proprietary GripSafe SRC-rated slip-resistant soles and SmartSole biomechanical footbeds for nurses, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals. The company has expanded into adjacent clinical product categories: medical devices (electrosurgical, laparoscopic, obstetric instruments, and the UltraView 2.0 cordless surgical headlight), healthcare apparel (sterile/non-sterile gowns, warming jackets, face and eye protection), surgical drapes and procedure packs, theatre safety products, and decontamination supplies such as Sterila sterilisation pouches and reels. Products are sold in the United Kingdom through the company's own e-commerce shop and NHS Supply Chain institutional procurement.

Product overview

Toffeln is a healthcare footwear and medical supplies provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of products across six main categories: footwear (including clogs, trainers, shoes, and boots), medical devices (electrosurgical instruments, laparoscopic tools, obstetrics devices, and surgical lighting), healthcare apparel (sterile/non-sterile gowns, warming jackets, face/eye protection), drapes and packs (surgical drapes, equipment drapes, procedure packs), theatre safety (slip prevention, sharps management, patient protection), and decontamination (sterilisation pouches, reels, corner protectors, and modular workstations). The product portfolio was expanded in August 2024 through the acquisition of Avail Medical, which specialises in electrosurgical instruments. Toffeln's footwear range features proprietary GripSafe slip-resistant sole technology and SmartSole biomechanical comfort technology, with products designed for healthcare professionals including nurses, doctors, podiatrists, dentists, and veterinarians. The company also operates Toffeln Academy for clinical education and training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Toffeln Academy: Clinical education division offering expert-led training through in-person sessions, live webinars, and an online learning centre for clinical teams.
• GripSafe
• EziKlog
• SmartSole
• Sterila
• Green T Collection

Products and services

• UltraView 2.0 Surgical Headlight Cordless surgical headlight delivering up to 300,000 lux with adjustable beam size 100-200mm, HotSwap battery technology for in-use battery replacement, weighing 312g with dual rechargeable lithium-ion batteries; CE marked for surgeons and operating theatre clinicians.
• Electrosurgical Instruments Precision electrosurgical instruments for cutting and coagulation during surgical procedures, added to the Toffeln portfolio through the August 2024 acquisition of Avail Medical.
• Laparoscopic Instruments Medical devices for minimally invasive laparoscopic surgical procedures, part of Toffeln's expanded medical devices portfolio for healthcare professionals.
• Obstetrics Medical Devices Medical devices designed for obstetric procedures and maternal care in clinical settings.
• EziKlog 2.0 Updated best-selling healthcare clog featuring soft E-Tech material, enhanced footbed for shift-long comfort, GripSafe Extreme slip-resistance pattern, and adjustable heel strap; priced at £49.95 per pair.
• Green T EziKlog World's first carbon neutral healthcare clog made from 51% sugar cane waste renewable EVA compound with recycled rubber GripSafe Extreme slip-resistant sole, breathable side vents, anti-static, and certified to EN 20347:2012.
• EziProtekta Safety Clog Safety clog with weightless composite toe cap tested to 200 joules, GripSafe SRC-rated slip-resistant sole, shock-absorbing properties, and closed-in heel; certified to EN ISO 20345:2011, priced at £54.95 per pair.
• AktivKlog Lightweight flexible healthcare clog with GripSafe slip-resistant sole, higher closed-in heel for security, enhanced ventilation, and a removable insole for all-day comfort on long shifts.
• SmartSole Elite Trainer Six-eyelet lace-up healthcare trainer with SmartSole cupped insole, contoured footbed, customisable arch support, fatigue-reducing design, and slip-resistant sole; priced at £79.95 per pair and includes three types of insoles.
• SmartSole Trainer Lace-up healthcare trainer with smooth lining to prevent rubbing, SmartSole fatigue-reducing footbed, and slip-resistant sole.
• SmartSole Slip On Slip-on nursing shoe with smooth lining to prevent rubbing and SmartSole fatigue-reducing footbed, designed for extended shifts.
• SmartSole Clog Healthcare clog with stretch lining for comfort, adjustable heel strap, SmartSole fatigue-reducing footbed, and slip-resistant sole.
• SmartSole Breeze Trainer Next-generation washable trainer with breathable mesh upper for all-day freshness, SmartSole fatigue-reducing footbed, and slip-resistant sole.
• SmartSole Breeze Slip On Next-generation washable slip-on shoe with breathable mesh upper for all-day freshness, SmartSole fatigue-reducing footbed, and slip-resistant sole; priced at £74.95 per pair.
• UltraLite Clog Lightweight nurse clog available with or without vents, designed as one of the lightest and most comfortable clogs available, with slip-resistant sole for fatigue reduction on long shifts.
• UltraLite Trainer Lightweight washable lace-up trainer with breathable uppers, slip-resistant sole, and comfort design for demanding healthcare workdays; priced at £59.95 per pair.
• Sterila Sterilisation Pouches Self-seal sterilisation pouches combining non-toxic reinforced film with 60gsm high-barrier medical craft paper, providing reliable sterile barrier protection and integrated steam and EO process indicators.
• Sterila Sterilisation Reels Cut-to-size sterilisation reels of non-toxic reinforced film with 60gsm high-barrier medical craft paper and built-in steam and EO indicators for sterile services departments.
• Sterila Reusable Silicone Corner Protector Reusable silicone corner protector designed to prevent damage to instrument tray wrap during sterilisation, transportation, and storage.
• Sterila Card Corner Protector Cost-effective rigid card corner protectors fitting securely onto instrument tray and basket corners for reliable protection throughout handling.
• Modular Autonomous Workstation UK-made height-adjustable sterile services table for decontamination and sterile services departments, with 1547mm x 765mm worktop, castor wheels for mobility, and mains or battery-powered height adjustment from 740mm to 1200mm.
• Sterile Gowns Sterile surgical gowns designed to provide protection, breathability, and unrestricted movement for healthcare professionals in operating theatre environments.
• Non-Sterile Gowns Healthcare gowns designed for protection and comfort in non-sterile clinical environments.
• Warming Jackets Theatre warming jackets that keep healthcare professionals warm during procedures while maintaining protection and comfort.
• Face & Eye Protection Protective face and eye protection equipment for healthcare professionals in clinical environments.
• Surgical Drapes High-quality surgical drapes providing reliable protection against infection and microorganism transfer during procedures.
• Equipment Drapes Protective drapes for medical equipment designed to prevent contamination and maintain infection control standards.
• Procedure Packs Complete procedure packs providing reliable infection protection and efficient workflow for surgical procedures.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2,000 NHS staff injured by slips and trips every year - GripSafe footwear designed to reduce this risk

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Avail MedicalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 August 2024Toffeln acquired Avail Medical in August 2024. Avail Medical specialises in electrosurgical instruments. The acquisition aims to strengthen Toffeln's position within the healthcare sector, enable product innovation, and improve service offerings for healthcare professionals.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Birkenstock: Global comfort/orthopedic footwear brand with a dedicated Birkenstock Professional line serving healthcare workers. Comparable to Toffeln through overlapping orthopedic/comfort positioning and hospital channel reach, though Birkenstock operates at far broader consumer scale.
• Ansell: Global medical and industrial protection company supplying healthcare gloves, gowns and apparel. Comparable to Toffeln through overlapping healthcare apparel and surgical consumables categories (sterile/non-sterile gowns, warming jackets), though Ansell operates at much greater institutional scale and breadth.
• Medline Industries: One of the largest privately held medical supply manufacturers and distributors globally, supplying hospitals with drapes, procedure packs, gowns, surgical instruments and related consumables. Comparable to Toffeln through overlapping hospital consumables categories, though Medline's scale and portfolio breadth is orders of magnitude larger.
• Crocs Inc. Global casual footwear brand with a prominent Crocs at Work healthcare professional line. Comparable to Toffeln because Crocs are a leading substitute in NHS and wider healthcare worker footwear, competing on the same all-day comfort and slip-resistant use case from a vastly larger consumer base.

Direct peers

• Safety Jogger: Part of the Cortina Group, Safety Jogger offers a professional footwear catalogue including healthcare, food-service and occupational lines. Comparable to Toffeln through slip-resistant professional clogs and occupational healthcare targeting.
• Oxypas: Belgian designer and manufacturer of comfort and safety footwear specifically for healthcare, food-service and cleanroom professionals. Closely comparable to Toffeln through anti-slip, anti-static professional footwear sold into hospitals, dental and veterinary segments.
• Wock: Portuguese family-owned manufacturer specializing in healthcare, food-service and industrial clogs. Directly comparable to Toffeln through overlapping specialist healthcare footwear focus, slip-resistant clogs, and dedicated hospital channel sales.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ToffelnOfficial
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/toffeln
• Xx.com/ToffelnFootwear

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A1 record

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Toffeln