Taillens

What Taillens does

Taillens & fils Sàrl is a Swiss specialty distributor of firefighting and rescue equipment, founded in 1929 and operating under parent company Brandschutz Ettiswil AG since May 2021. The company serves professional and volunteer fire departments, rescue services, and fire protection organizations across Switzerland, with bilingual (German/French) coverage of both major Swiss language regions. Its product catalog spans forcible entry tools (Halligan and Hooligan systems, Paratech multi-tools, Holmatro hydraulic equipment), firefighter protective clothing (Viking turnout gear, HAIX boots), respiratory protection, hoses, valves, extinguishing agents (including specialized e-mobility solutions), wildland fire tools, hazmat equipment, medical supplies, and training systems (notably the DForcible forced-entry training door). Hardware is sourced from third-party manufacturers (Paratech, Fire Hooks, Holmatro, Viking, MSA, HAIX) and resold under the Taillens brand through its online shop at taillens.ch.

The company generates revenue primarily through one-time/perpetual hardware sales priced in Swiss Francs, supplemented by ancillary revenue from certified training services (DForcible instructor courses, MSA helmet verification courses) and customization services such as personalized fire jackets with departmental back inscriptions. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the e-commerce storefront and direct delivery throughout Switzerland, with Net 30 payment terms and quote-based pricing on many SKUs. The GTM motion is direct-to-consumer online with a small enterprise/B2G overlay to municipal fire departments. The company has no disclosed AI/ML capabilities, no external funding, and operates as a privately held family enterprise that transitioned to new management in mid-2024 following the retirement of Lionel Taillens after 38 years of leadership.

Name

Taillens

Legal name

Taillens & fils Sàrl

Website

https://taillens.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1929

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Taillens & fils Sàrl is a Swiss specialty distributor founded in 1929 that sells firefighting, rescue, and fire protection equipment — including forcible entry tools, hydraulic rescue gear, protective clothing, and training systems — to municipal fire departments and rescue services across Switzerland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Lausanne

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Firefighting Equipment Sales: Taillens generates revenue through the sale of firefighting, rescue, and fire protection equipment including valves, hoses, protective clothing, rescue equipment, respiratory protection, technical rescue tools, traffic materials, medical supplies, electrical equipment, oil/chemical defense equipment, training equipment, extinguishing agents, and e-mobility fire extinguishing products. The company operates an e-commerce platform with pricing in Swiss Francs (CHF).
2. Training Services: Taillens offers training courses including helmet verification courses in partnership with MSA, and forcible entry door training with certified DForcible trainers. Training is provided as an add-on service to equipment sales.
3. Customization Services: Personalization of equipment such as custom fire jackets with specific back inscriptions (e.g., 'JSP RIVIERA' for SDIS Riviera).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Taillens is a Swiss specialty distributor supplying firefighting and rescue equipment to professional emergency services. The company carries a multi-brand catalog of personal protective equipment, turnout gear, breathing apparatus, hoses, and rescue tools sourced from multiple manufacturers. Its primary output is the stockpiling, distribution, and sale of this equipment to fire departments and rescue service organizations across Switzerland.

Product overview

Taillens operates an e-commerce platform offering specialized equipment for fire departments, rescue services, and fire protection professionals. The company is a subsidiary of Brandschutz Ettiswil AG (parent company). Their product portfolio centers on forced-entry and rescue tools (including Halligan tool systems, DForcible training doors, and hydraulic equipment from Holmatro), firefighter protective clothing and gear, and specialized firefighting equipment for various applications including wildland fire, e-mobility fire suppression, and hazardous materials response. The offering combines products from multiple branded manufacturers (Paratech, Fire Hooks, Holmatro, Viking, MSA Safety, HAIX) distributed through their online shop with categories spanning operational equipment, technical rescue tools, training materials, and command/communication gear.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Firefighting Protective Equipment and Turnout Gear Personal protective equipment and turnout gear used by professional firefighters to protect against heat, flames, and operational hazards.
• Rescue Equipment Specialized tools and equipment used by rescue services for technical rescue operations, including extrication and emergency response scenarios.
• Breathing Apparatus and Respiratory Protection Self-contained breathing apparatus and respiratory protection equipment used by firefighters and rescue personnel in hazardous environments.

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Brandschutz Ettiswil AGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 May 2021Parent company partnership established May 17, 2021. Brandschutz Ettiswil AG is the parent company of Taillens & fils Sàrl, providing strategic alignment and shared resources within the Swiss firefighting equipment market. Located at Willisauerstrasse 21, 6218 Ettiswil.
• DForciblecoreTechnology or IntegrationTraining partnership for DForcible forced entry training doors. Taillens is an authorized distributor and training provider for DForcible products, offering certified training courses for forcible entry instructors over 2 days (2x 8h).
• MSA SafetyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining partnership for helmet verification courses. Taillens & fils Sàrl associates with MSA for organizing helmet verification training courses.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Rosenbauer International: Austrian global manufacturer of firefighting vehicles, equipment, and protective gear. Broad incumbent in firefighting equipment serving municipal fire services worldwide, including Switzerland. Not a direct distributor but competes for the same procurement budgets.
• MSA Safety Incorporated: American global manufacturer of safety equipment including fire helmets, SCBA, and gas detection. Both a partner (helmet verification training) and competitor to Taillens in Swiss fire service personal protective equipment.
• Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA: German manufacturer of safety and respiratory protection equipment, including SCBA and gas detection used by fire services. Sells respiratory protection products that Taillens also distributes, creating both supplier and competitive overlap.
• POK France: French manufacturer of firefighting equipment including nozzles, valves, and monitors. Supplies similar product categories to French-speaking European fire services, particularly relevant in neighboring France.
• Minimax GmbH: German fire protection company specializing in fire extinguishing systems, detection, and suppression equipment. Broad incumbent in European fire protection with overlapping categories in extinguishing agents and fire protection equipment.
• Albert Ziegler GmbH: German manufacturer of fire trucks, pumps, and firefighting equipment. Major German fire equipment OEM with overlapping product categories (hoses, valves, protective gear) in the broader DACH fire service market.

Emerging players

• Holmatro: Dutch manufacturer of hydraulic rescue and forcible entry tools (e.g., T1 Forcible Entry Tool distributed by Taillens). Specializes in cutting/spreading equipment where Taillens competes as a channel partner.

Direct peers

• Bull Products: UK-based supplier of fire safety and emergency equipment to fire services, contractors, and industrial customers. Similar specialty distribution model focused on first responders and rescue professionals.
• Jockel Brandschutz GmbH: German specialty distributor of firefighting, rescue, and fire protection equipment serving municipal and industrial customers across the DACH region. Closest analog to Taillens as a regional e-commerce-enabled fire equipment distributor.
• Brandschutz Ettiswil AG: Taillens' parent operating company, headquartered in Ettiswil, Switzerland. Operates in the same Swiss firefighting equipment distribution market with overlapping product categories and the same customer base of German-speaking Swiss fire departments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TaillensEtFils

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Taillens