What Gateway Safety does

Gateway Safety is a family-owned, Cleveland, Ohio-based manufacturer of personal protective equipment founded in 1944, employing 251-500 people and producing "above-the-shoulders" PPE across five categories: eye protection (safety glasses, goggles, welding), face protection (visors, face shields), head protection (safety helmets), hearing protection (earplugs, earmuffs, hearing bands via the acquired TASCO brand), and respiratory protection (NIOSH-approved N95/N99/N100/R95/P100 disposables). Core technical differentiators include the patented Temple Technology, Tri-Grip earplug design (27 NRR independently tested), fX3 Premium Anti-Fog coating (8x scratch resistance vs. standard coatings), OptiFit foam, MTek tip-to-tip metal detectability, and the patent-pending SteelyBlues component-level metal detectability for food processing. Flagship brand StarLite is described as the best-selling safety eyewear in the United States, with companion brands Ellipse (19.3g ultra-lightweight), Vector7 (7-position ratcheting temples), Helmsman (dielectric), GirlzGear (women-specific), and Woodsman (integrated forestry systems).

The company operates an exclusively indirect go-to-market: products are sold one-time (no subscription or SaaS) through a long-standing network of channel partners spanning industrial supply, safety supply, construction, hardware/lumber, auto/bike, janitorial, medical/dental, and rental distributors, with no direct-to-consumer storefront. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, but the company positions itself around value-tier economics funded by low overhead, while pursuing premium positioning at the product level through patented features and independent third-party testing (UL, ANSI Z87.1+, CSA Z94.3, MIL PRF-32432). Marketing leverages trade publications, social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube), an active trade show circuit (ASSP, NSC, STAFDA), distributor co-marketing support, and a real-life testimonial program. Gateway Safety is private (no funding rounds disclosed), generates revenue through PPE product sales, and completed the TASCO acquisition in 2023 to broaden its hearing-protection offering.

Name

Gateway Safety

Legal name

Gateway Safety

Website

https://gatewaysafety.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1944

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Gateway Safety is a family-owned Cleveland-based PPE manufacturer founded in 1944, producing safety glasses, goggles, face shields, helmets, hearing protection, and respirators sold exclusively through industrial, safety, construction, and hardware distributors across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

NAICS

Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing (339113)

SIC

Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842)

akta.pro primary industry

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (Gloves, Masks/Respirators, Gowns, Face Shields) (HLAHANAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Protective Disposable Wear (Masks, Gloves, Shoe Covers, Hairnets) (CRADALAJ), Safety, PPE & Workwear Retail (Gloves, Respirators, Eye/Ear Protection) (CRAIADAK)

Keywords

• Safety eyewear manufacturing
• Personal protective equipment
• Industrial safety equipment
• Hearing protection devices
• Respiratory protection equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Cleveland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. PPE Product Sales: Gateway Safety generates revenue through the sale of personal protective equipment including safety glasses, face protection, head protection, hearing protection, and respiratory protection. Products are sold as one-time purchases through distributor networks. The company offers value-priced products with low overhead costs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Gateway Safety manufactures and sells personal protective equipment (PPE) focused on "above-the-shoulders" protection, including safety glasses, goggles, face shields, safety helmets, earmuffs, earplugs, and NIOSH-approved respirators. The company sells primarily through distributor networks serving industrial, construction, food processing, and other workplace safety markets, with secondary consumer use by motorcyclists and hunters. Founded in 1944 in Cleveland, Ohio, the company emphasizes value-priced, independently tested PPE that combines protective performance with style and comfort.

Product overview

Gateway Safety is a family-owned manufacturer of personal protective equipment (PPE) established in 1944, producing 'above-the-shoulders' safety products. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio organized into five core product categories: Eye Protection (safety glasses, goggles, welding eye protection), Face Protection (visors, face shields), Head Protection (safety helmets), Hearing Protection (earmuffs, earplugs, hearing bands), and Respiratory Protection (NIOSH-approved disposable respirators). Key eyewear brands include StarLite® (the best-selling safety eyewear in the US), Ellipse™ (ultra-lightweight at 19.3g), Vector7® (7-position ratcheting temples), Helmsman® (dielectric), and SteelyBlues® (metal detectable for food processing). The respiratory line features TruAir® (available in N95, N99, N100, R95, P100), PeakFit®, and SaniFold® respirators. Hearing protection includes the TASCO-acquired Tri-Grip® earplugs (patented design with 27 NRR), SoftSeal® disposable earplugs (33 NRR), and various earmuffs (Nextera, Golden Eagle, SoundStar, SoundShield, SoundOut II, BlackHawk, Apache). Head protection includes Serpent® safety helmets and Gladiator™ II helmets, plus the Woodsman® integrated forestry system. The company also acquired TASCO's hearing protection line and offers specialty collections like GirlzGear® (women's-specific PPE). Gateway Safety differentiates through independent third-party testing, anti-fog technology (fX3™), and Temple Technology® design features. Products are distributed through industrial safety supply distributors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TASCO: Hearing protection brand acquired by Gateway Safety, specializing in earplugs and earmuffs including the industry-leading Tri-Grip reusable earplug.

Products and services

• Eye protection products (safety glasses and goggles) Safety glasses and goggles designed to protect workers' eyes from impact, debris, and particulates; sold to industrial, construction, and food processing buyers through safety and industrial supply distributors, with secondary use by motorcyclists and hunters.
• Face protection products (face shields) Face shields providing secondary protection for the face against impacts, splashes, and flying debris; sold to industrial and construction safety buyers via distributors.
• Head protection products (safety helmets) Safety helmets for head protection against impacts and falling objects; sold to industrial and construction safety buyers through safety and construction supply distributors.
• Hearing protection products (earmuffs and earplugs) Earmuffs and earplugs designed to reduce worker exposure to occupational noise; sold to industrial and construction safety buyers through safety distributors, with secondary use by motorcyclists and hunters.
• Respiratory protection products (NIOSH-approved respirators) NIOSH-approved respirators that protect workers from airborne particulates and contaminants; sold to industrial, construction, and food processing safety buyers through safety and industrial supply distributors.

Quantifiable outcome

• StarLite is the best-selling safety eyewear in the United States
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Feature7 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• TASCOcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022TASCO, a market leader in hearing protection for nearly 50 years, joined Gateway Safety family. Gateway Safety acquired TASCO products including the industry-leading Tri-Grip reusable earplug, top-performing SoftSeal disposable earplug, and benchmark line of Made in the USA earmuffs. TASCO's legacy of high-quality, well-designed products with patented designs and independently tested quality complements Gateway Safety's existing portfolio. When Tom Scanlon's son Sean decided to retire, he trusted Gateway Safety to continue TASCO's legacy.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• ERB Safety: ERB Safety is a smaller US PPE manufacturer specializing in safety eyewear, hard hats, and hearing protection sold through industrial distributors. Smaller-scale niche competitor with overlapping product lines and channel.

Direct peers

• Radians: Radians is a US PPE manufacturer focused on safety eyewear, hearing protection, gloves, and high-visibility apparel distributed through industrial and safety channels. Comparable in size, channel strategy, and product breadth to Gateway Safety's above-the-shoulders portfolio.
• Protective Industrial Products (PIP): PIP is a global PPE manufacturer and distributor offering head-to-toe protection including safety eyewear, hearing protection, hard hats, and respiratory products sold through industrial distributors. Closely comparable business model and channel coverage to Gateway Safety.
• MCR Safety: MCR Safety manufactures and distributes personal protective equipment including safety glasses, gloves, and respirators through industrial distributors. Direct competitor to Gateway Safety in safety eyewear with overlapping distribution relationships.
• Uvex Safety: Uvex by Honeywell is a safety eyewear, hearing protection, and glove brand with strong industrial distribution. Comparable in product mix and channel approach to Gateway Safety, though backed by a much larger parent for R&D and global reach.
• Pyramex Safety Products: Pyramex is a privately held US-based PPE manufacturer with a comparable portfolio of safety eyewear, goggles, hearing protection, hard hats, and respirators sold through industrial distributors. Direct overlap with Gateway Safety's StarLite-class products and similar channel-driven model make it the closest direct peer.

Broad incumbents

• MSA Safety: MSA Safety is a global leader in safety products including head, eye, hearing, and respiratory protection as well as gas detection and fall protection. A broad incumbent with enterprise-account leverage that overlaps Gateway Safety in eyewear, hard hats, and hearing.
• Kimberly-Clark Professional: Kimberly-Clark Professional supplies safety eyewear, gloves, and respiratory products (KLEENGUARD, JACKSON SAFETY, KIMBERLY-CLARK) through industrial distribution. Overlaps with Gateway Safety in eyewear and disposable respirators and competes for similar distributor shelf space.
• Honeywell Personal Protective Equipment: Honeywell's PPE segment (including Uvex, North, Howard Leight, Miller) offers safety eyewear, hearing protection, hard hats, and respiratory products worldwide. A scaled, branded incumbent whose bundled solutions compete with Gateway Safety's narrower portfolio.
• 3M Personal Safety Division: 3M is a diversified industrial conglomerate whose Personal Safety Division competes across eye, hearing, head, and respiratory PPE with the broadest portfolio and largest global scale. Dominant incumbent against which Gateway Safety differentiates on style, value pricing, and independent testing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/GatewaySafety
• Facebookfacebook.com/GatewaySafety
• Instagraminstagram.com/gatewaysafetyinc
• Xx.com/gatewaysafety
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gateway-safety

Compliance5 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&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Gateway Safety