Protec Direct
Protec Direct is a UK-based B2B e-commerce platform selling PPE, workwear, safety footwear, gloves, site equipment, and janitorial supplies to industrial, trade, healthcare, and educational buyers, operating as a subsidiary of Bunzl.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1990
- HeadquartersWednesbury, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Protec Direct does
Protec Direct is a UK-based B2B e-commerce platform that sells workplace safety, hygiene, and janitorial supplies to industrial, trade, healthcare, and educational buyers. The product range spans PPE (head, eye and face, respiratory, hearing, working at height, infection control, first aid), safety footwear, hi-vis and workwear clothing, industrial and specialist gloves, site equipment (road safety, tools, security, fire safety), and janitorial supplies. The platform carries premium third-party brands such as 3M, Moldex, Bollé Safety, uvex, JSP, SC Johnson Professional, RockFall, and Regatta Professional alongside its own proprietary exclusive brands (Cleanline, Exclusive Brand). It also offers branding personalisation services for corporate workwear.
The underlying technology is a standard e-commerce storefront with product catalogue, shopping basket, account management, credit account applications, and order processing. No proprietary platform features, APIs, or AI capabilities are evidenced. Marketing is conducted through an SEO-driven category website, a PPE-focused content blog, and customer account communications. Distribution is exclusively direct via the UK website with next-day delivery for orders placed before 4pm.
The business model is product resale on a transactional basis, with unit pricing across SKUs ranging from under £1 to over £350 and both inclusive/exclusive of VAT pricing displayed. Revenue is generated by reselling third-party branded products and proprietary exclusive lines to a fragmented SMB and trade customer base. Protec Direct operates as a subsidiary of Bunzl, a diversified FTSE-listed distribution group, with the corporate relationship evidenced by Bunzl-hosted credit account application forms and Modern Slavery Act compliance references; no equity structure, founding date, or financial disclosures are available.
Protec Direct firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Protec Direct
- Legal name
- Protec Direct
- Website
- https://protecdirect.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1990
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Protec Direct is a UK-based B2B e-commerce platform selling PPE, workwear, safety footwear, gloves, site equipment, and janitorial supplies to industrial, trade, healthcare, and educational buyers, operating as a subsidiary of Bunzl.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Protec Direct industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Safety Supplies
- SIC
- Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842), Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Safety, PPE & Workwear Retail (Gloves, Respirators, Eye/Ear Protection) (CRAIADAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (Gloves, Masks/Respirators, Gowns, Face Shields) (HLAHANAF), Disposable Protective Apparel (Coveralls, Gowns, Shoe Covers) (CRAAALAM), Protective Disposable Wear (Masks, Gloves, Shoe Covers, Hairnets) (CRADALAJ)
Keywords
Where Protec Direct is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Wednesbury
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Protec Direct business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Product Sales: Revenue generated through direct product sales of PPE, workwear, footwear, gloves, site equipment, and janitorial supplies. The company sells products from multiple branded partners as well as its own exclusive brand lines. Products are sold at individual unit prices with both exc. VAT and inc. VAT pricing shown.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Individual product pricing across multiple brands and categories |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
Protec Direct product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Protec Direct is a UK online retailer selling personal protective equipment (PPE), safety footwear, workwear, hi-vis and flame-retardant clothing, industrial gloves, site equipment and janitorial/cleaning supplies to businesses and individual trade buyers. The platform combines multi-brand stock from manufacturers such as 3M, Moldex, Bollé, uvex, JSP, RockFall and SC Johnson Professional with proprietary value brands (Cleanline, Exclusive Brand), supported by next-day delivery, business credit accounts and corporate workwear personalisation.
Product overview
Protec Direct is a B2B e-commerce platform offering a comprehensive range of workplace safety and janitorial products. The portfolio consists of multiple product categories integrated into a single online shopping platform: PPE (head protection, eye and face protection, respiratory protection, hearing protection, working at height, infection control, and first aid), safety footwear, clothing and workwear (hi-vis, chemical/disposable clothing, flame retardant, general workwear, weather wear), hand protection (industrial gloves, specialist gloves), site equipment (road safety, site essentials, tools, fire safety, security), janitorial supplies (cleaning products, equipment, washroom paper), and sustainable product lines. The company also offers proprietary brands (Cleanline, Exclusive Brand) alongside third-party brands (3M, Moldex, SC Johnson Professional, Bollé, uvex, JSP, RockFall, Reliance Medical, Squire, Regatta Professional) and provides branding personalisation services for workwear.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Comprehensive multi-category PPE range sold online covering head, eye, respiratory, hearing, height, infection-control and first-aid products for industrial and trade buyers in the UK.
- Safety Footwear Multi-style safety footwear range for industrial and trade customers covering boots, shoes, trainers, wellingtons and specialist footwear sold through the Protec Direct platform.
- Clothing and Workwear Workwear category covering hi-vis, chemical/disposable clothing, flame-retardant and arc-flash protective garments, and general workwear for industrial and trade customers.
- Industrial Safety Gloves Industrial and specialist hand-protection gloves including cut-resistant, general handling, coated, rigger, chemical and thermal protection gloves plus protective sleeves.
- Site Equipment Site safety and operations equipment including road safety, signage, security, tools, lighting, fire safety and washroom products for industrial and trade workplaces.
- Janitorial and Cleaning Supplies Janitorial cleaning supplies covering washroom and kitchen cleaners, bleaches, disinfectants, degreasers, floor-care products, cloths and washroom paper for commercial and industrial premises.
- Sustainable Products Curated sustainable and eco-friendly product range spanning workwear, PPE, cleaning and tools/equipment for buyers seeking environmentally conscious options.
- Workwear Branding and Personalisation Service Service offering branding/personalisation of corporate workwear for business customers purchasing workwear from Protec Direct.
- Cleanline Proprietary Brand Own-label cleaning products brand offering furniture polish, heavy-duty cleaners, bleach, disinfectants, degreasers and eco-friendly cleaning solutions at value price points.
- Exclusive Brand Proprietary Brand Own-label value brand offering pump dispensers, screen wash and a range of cleaning accessories at competitive prices.
Companies that use Protec Direct
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Protec Direct technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Protec Direct partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- RockFallcoreRockFall is a featured brand partner whose safety footwear and workwear products are sold through Protec Direct's e-commerce platform. The partnership provides Protec Direct customers access to RockFall's range of safety boots and work shoes.
- 3Mcore3M is a featured brand partner offering respiratory protection, eye protection, and hearing protection products. Featured prominently on the website with products including 3M 8835 FFP3 respirators and safety glasses.
- Bollé SafetycoreBollé Safety is a featured brand partner specializing in safety eyewear. Their protective safety glasses and goggles are sold through the Protec Direct platform.
- uvexcoreuvex is a featured brand partner offering safety eyewear and other PPE products. Their products are available through Protec Direct's category listings.
- Leo WorkwearminorLeo Workwear is a featured brand partner offering workwear and safety clothing products available through the Protec Direct platform.
- JSP (Jackson Safety Products)coreJSP is a featured brand partner offering respiratory protection, head protection, and other PPE equipment. Their products appear prominently in relevant category pages.
- Reliance MedicalminorReliance Medical is a featured brand partner specializing in first aid products and medical equipment sold through the Protec Direct platform.
- SquireminorSquire is a featured brand partner offering padlocks, chains, and security equipment. Their products are sold through Protec Direct's security category.
- Regatta ProfessionalminorRegatta Professional is a featured brand partner offering weather-resistant workwear and outdoor clothing suitable for site and outdoor work environments.
- MoldexcoreMoldex is a dedicated brand page partner offering respiratory protection (FFP1, FFP2, FFP3 respirators) and hearing protection (ear plugs) products. The partnership includes a dedicated brand page and extensive product range including the AIR PLUS reusable respirator series and Pura-fit foam ear plugs.
- SC Johnson ProfessionalcoreSC Johnson Professional is a brand partner offering cleaning chemicals, hand care, and surface care products including Mr Muscle Professional, Pledge, Swarfega, and Jizer product lines. Featured extensively in janitorial and infection control categories.
- ArmorgardminorArmorgard is a featured brand partner offering secure storage solutions and site equipment products sold through the Protec Direct platform.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Protec Direct competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Arco: Arco is the UK's largest safety-supplies distributor, selling PPE, workwear, and workplace safety products through its own e-commerce platform and catalogue. It is the most direct competitor to Protec Direct in the UK industrial/trade PPE market, with overlapping brand portfolios and customer base.
- Slingsby: Slingsby is a UK mail-order and e-commerce distributor of workplace equipment, PPE, and site supplies serving industrial and commercial customers. Its catalog and customer base closely mirror Protec Direct's horizontal safety-and-site-equipment positioning.
- SafetyBuyer.com: SafetyBuyer is a UK online PPE and workplace-safety retailer offering head, eye, respiratory, hearing, and hand protection plus workwear from multiple brands. It is a direct e-commerce-only peer with a similar self-serve, multi-brand catalog model.
- Cromwell Tools: Cromwell Tools is a UK-based industrial and PPE supplies distributor offering tools, workwear, and safety equipment to trade and industrial customers via catalogue and e-commerce. It overlaps with Protec Direct in PPE, hand protection, and site equipment categories serving the same SMB trades audience.
Broad incumbents
- Toolstation: Toolstation is a UK trade-supplies retailer with national branch coverage and an e-commerce site selling workwear, PPE, site equipment, and janitorial items alongside tools and hardware. It overlaps with Protec Direct in PPE and workwear but is a broader trade-format incumbent.
- Amazon Business: Amazon Business is the B2B arm of Amazon selling PPE, janitorial, and site supplies with rapid delivery and broad brand coverage. It competes with Protec Direct across nearly every category as a low-friction online alternative for SMB buyers.
- RS Components: RS Components is a major UK industrial distributor of electronics, MRO, PPE, and safety supplies serving engineering and maintenance buyers. While broader in scope, it competes with Protec Direct for industrial PPE and site-equipment spend.
- Ceva Logistics / Bunzl Cleaning & Hygiene: Bunzl's broader Cleaning & Hygiene division distributes janitorial, PPE, and workplace supplies across the UK and Europe. It is a sister-business within the same parent group, sharing suppliers (e.g., SC Johnson Professional) and overlapping customer bases.
- Screwfix: Screwfix is the UK's largest trade-tools and workwear retailer with hundreds of branches plus a strong e-commerce platform selling PPE, workwear, and site equipment. It competes with Protec Direct across many categories but at much larger scale and broader scope including tools and hardware.
Regional players
- Travis Perkins: Travis Perkins is a UK builders' merchant group selling PPE, workwear, and site equipment alongside core building materials. It overlaps with Protec Direct in workwear and PPE categories for construction customers but with much broader trade-merchant positioning.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Protec Direct social profiles
Digital presenceProtec Direct financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Protec Direct leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Protec Direct funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Protec Direct 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 Protec Direct
What does Protec Direct do?
Protec Direct is a UK online retailer selling personal protective equipment (PPE), safety footwear, workwear, hi-vis and flame-retardant clothing, industrial gloves, site equipment and janitorial/cleaning supplies to businesses and individual trade buyers. The platform combines multi-brand stock from manufacturers such as 3M, Moldex, Bollé, uvex, JSP, RockFall and SC Johnson Professional with proprietary value brands (Cleanline, Exclusive Brand), supported by next-day delivery, business credit accounts and corporate workwear personalisation.
Is Protec Direct a public or private company?
Protec Direct is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Protec Direct founded?
Protec Direct was founded in 1990. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Protec Direct based?
Protec Direct is headquartered in Wednesbury, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Protec Direct make money?
One revenue line is on record: product Sales.
Who are Protec Direct's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Arco, Slingsby, SafetyBuyer.com and Cromwell Tools. Broad incumbents are Toolstation, Amazon Business, RS Components, Ceva Logistics / Bunzl Cleaning & Hygiene and Screwfix. Travis Perkins is listed as a regional player.
Does Protec Direct have an API?
No public API is recorded for Protec Direct.
What industry is Protec Direct in?
Protec Direct's product category is Industrial Safety Supplies. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAIADAK, Safety, PPE & Workwear Retail (Gloves, Respirators, Eye/Ear Protection), with a secondary code of HLAHANAF, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (Gloves, Masks/Respirators, Gowns, Face Shields). Its SIC code is 3842.