KEMA E.A.
KEMA (E.A.) Limited is a Nairobi-based, privately held distributor of Personal Protective Equipment and industrial safety products, serving enterprise and mid-market customers across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and the DRC through authorized partnerships with brands such as 3M, Honeywell, UVEX, and SKF.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1990
- HeadquartersNairobi, Kenya
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What KEMA E.A. does
KEMA (E.A.) Limited is a privately held distributor and supplier of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and industrial safety products, incorporated in 1990 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. The company operates a branch network across Kenya (Nairobi, Mombasa), Tanzania (Dar es Salaam, Mwanza), Uganda (Kampala), and the Democratic Republic of Congo (Lubumbashi), selling to enterprise and mid-market customers in mining, manufacturing, energy, beverages, agriculture, logistics, pharmaceuticals, and other industrial verticals.
Its core product set spans respiratory protection, safety footwear, head, eye and hearing protection, hand and fall protection, workwear, spill control, first aid, and workplace safety equipment, sourced both from third-party brands (3M, Honeywell, UVEX, Steel Blue, Cofra, Spasciani, BBF, Delta Plus, Heckel, Pro) and from KEMA's own-brand line (e.g., S3-rated safety boots, KEMA body harness JE146008). In September 2025, KEMA extended its catalog into industrial MRO through a strategic partnership with SKF, distributing bearings, seals, lubrication systems, power transmission solutions, and condition monitoring tools across East and Central Africa.
KEMA monetizes through quote-based hardware sales, with pricing not publicly disclosed and a 9-month warranty offered on KEMA-branded goods. Its go-to-market combines direct field sales across branches, an e-commerce storefront (store.kema.africa), social and content marketing, and participation in industry events (Naivasha Horticultural Fair 2025, UVEX Safety Day 2026, SKF Customer Event 2026). The company carries CE, SABS, EN, and BS safety certifications and positions itself as the leading regional one-stop shop for both PPE and now industrial engineering consumables, replacing fragmented multi-supplier procurement with a single authorized-distributor relationship.
KEMA E.A. firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- KEMA E.A.
- Legal name
- KEMA (E.A.) Limited
- Website
- https://kema.africa
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1990
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- KEMA (E.A.) Limited is a Nairobi-based, privately held distributor of Personal Protective Equipment and industrial safety products, serving enterprise and mid-market customers across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and the DRC through authorized partnerships with brands such as 3M, Honeywell, UVEX, and SKF.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
KEMA E.A. industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Distribution and Industrial Safety Products
- NAICS
- Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing (3391)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Chemicals & Allied Products (5160)
- akta.pro primary industry
- PPE, Safety & Infection Control Supplies Distribution (JanSan-adjacent) (CRAOAGAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Protective Disposable Wear (Masks, Gloves, Shoe Covers, Hairnets) (CRADALAJ)
Keywords
Where KEMA E.A. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Nairobi
- HQ country
- Kenya
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices6 records
Markets served
KEMA E.A. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- PPE and Safety Product Distribution: KEMA distributes a wide range of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and industrial safety products from global brands (3M, Honeywell, UVEX, SKF, Steel Blue, Cofra, Spasciani, BBF, Delta Plus, Heckel, Pro) as well as their own KEMA brand products. Revenue is generated through product sales across categories including respiratory protection, safety footwear, fall protection, head protection, eye protection, hearing protection, hand protection, first aid, spill control, and workplace safety.
- SKF Industrial Products Distribution: As authorized SKF distributors, KEMA supplies bearings, seals, lubrication systems, power transmission solutions, and maintenance/condition monitoring tools. This partnership provides integrated procurement combining PPE and industrial engineering products under one supplier.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Standard product pricing with volume/discount considerations through direct inquiry |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
KEMA E.A. product offering
Product offeringCore offering
KEMA E.A. supplies and distributes Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and industrial safety products across East and Central Africa, operating as an authorized distributor for global brands such as 3M, Honeywell, UVEX, Steel Blue, and SKF, alongside its own KEMA-branded safety products. The product range covers respiratory protection, safety footwear, head, eye, hearing, hand, and fall protection, protective clothing and workwear, spill control, first aid, and workplace safety equipment, as well as SKF bearings, seals, lubrication systems, power transmission solutions, and condition monitoring tools. Products meet international certifications (CE, SABS, EN, BS) and KEMA brand items carry a 9-month warranty.
Product overview
KEMA (E.A.) Ltd is a leading distributor and supplier of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and industrial safety solutions in East Africa, incorporated in 1990. The company operates both as a distributor of global brands (3M, Honeywell, UVEX, Steel Blue, SKF, Cofra, Spasciani, BBF, Delta Plus, Heckel, Pro) and as a manufacturer of its own KEMA brand PPE products. The product portfolio spans multiple categories including respiratory protection, safety footwear, head protection, eye protection, hearing protection, hand protection, fall protection, clothing/workwear, spill control, first aid, and workplace safety equipment. Additionally, KEMA serves as an authorized SKF distributor providing industrial bearings, seals, lubrication systems, and condition monitoring solutions. The company offers products meeting international certifications (CE, SABS, EN, BS) and provides a 9-month warranty on KEMA brand products.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Respiratory Protection Full range of respiratory protective equipment including disposable dust masks, FFP1/FFP2/FFP3 respirators, N95 respirators, full-face respirators, cartridges, filters, and self-contained breathing apparatus for industrial workers.
- Safety Footwear Safety boots and shoes including KEMA brand S3-rated footwear (slip resistance, shock absorption, heat resistance), Uvex Safety Shoes, Steel Blue boots, and Goliath safety boots with various protection levels for industrial workers.
- Workplace Safety General workplace safety equipment including road safety cones and various safety signage and equipment for industrial and commercial environments.
- Protective Clothing and Workwear Protective workwear including dust coats, overalls, jackets, trousers, reflective vests, coveralls, and spray suits in materials such as cotton, polycotton, and polyester for industrial workers.
- Eye Protection Safety goggles, spectacles, visors, face shields, and laser safety glasses protecting against chemical splashes, impact hazards, dust, and optical radiation.
- Fall Protection Fall protection equipment including body harnesses (e.g., KEMA Body Harness JE146008), fall arrestors, and lanyards for work at heights.
- First Aid First aid kits and supplies for workplace emergencies.
- Hand Protection Work gloves and hand protection gear for various industrial applications.
- Head Protection Hard hats, safety helmets, bump caps, and hair nets designed to protect against falling objects and electrical hazards, meeting Type I/II and Class G/E/C standards.
- Hearing Protection Earplugs (3M 1110 with NRR 29dB, 3M 4004, Uvex X-Fit with NRR 34dB) and earmuffs (3M Yellow Peltor H9A with NRR 25dB, Honeywell VS130 with NRR 32dB) for industrial noise protection.
- Spill Control Spill kits including general spill kits, oil-only kits, chemical spill kits (e.g., 3M Chemical Sorbent Folded Spill Kit C SKFL31, 31 Gallons), and anti-static kits for various liquid hazard cleanups.
- KEMA Brand Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) KEMA's own line of safety products including safety footwear (SKC 2001R, SKA593R, PS2314/24, P1011RS, P1023RS, SKA186), body harnesses (JE146008), and general PPE that meets international standards with a 9-month warranty.
- SKF Bearings and Industrial Products Authorized distributor of SKF bearings, seals, lubrication systems, power transmission solutions, and condition monitoring tools for industrial applications across East Africa.
Quantifiable outcome
- 9-month warranty on KEMA brand products ensuring quality, durability, and reliability
Companies that use KEMA E.A.
Customer profileNamed customers64 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
KEMA E.A. technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
KEMA E.A. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.
- SKFcoreStrategic partnership announced September 2025 making KEMA an authorized SKF distributor in East and Central Africa. KEMA supplies SKF bearings, seals, lubrication systems, power transmission solutions, and condition monitoring tools. The partnership provides customers with integrated procurement combining PPE and industrial engineering products under one trusted supplier. KEMA sales team received specialized SKF bearings sales training in Naivasha in May 2026.
- 3McoreAuthorized distributor of 3M personal protective equipment products including respiratory protection (FFP1, FFP2, FFP3 masks, N95 respirators), ear protection (earplugs like 3M 1110, 3M 4004), and other safety products.
- HoneywellcoreAuthorized distributor of Honeywell safety products including hard hats, earmuffs (VS130), respirators, and other PPE equipment.
- UVEX SafetycoreAuthorized distributor of UVEX safety products. KEMA partnered with UVEX to host UVEX Safety Day at Norfolk Hotel Nairobi in January/February 2026, an event dedicated to advancing occupational health and safety showcasing UVEX's latest PPE innovations.
- Steel BluecoreAuthorized distributor of Steel Blue safety boots in East Africa. Steel Blue is known for premium craftsmanship with Trisole Comfort Technology and offers a 100% Comfort Guarantee.
- CofrasecondaryPartner brand for safety footwear and workwear products distributed by KEMA.
- SpascianisecondaryPartner brand for respiratory protection products distributed by KEMA.
- BBFsecondaryPartner brand for safety products distributed by KEMA.
- Delta PlussecondaryPartner brand for safety equipment distributed by KEMA.
- HeckelsecondaryPartner brand for safety footwear and protective equipment distributed by KEMA.
- ProsecondaryPartner brand for safety products distributed by KEMA.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
KEMA E.A. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Grainger: US-headquartered broad-line industrial MRO distributor with extensive PPE/Safety category. Relevant for global distribution scale and supplier relationships that KEMA emulates at regional level.
- Hudaco Industries: JSE-listed South African industrial products group distributing PPE, bearings, fasteners, and engineered components across Sub-Saharan Africa. Closest listed regional comparable for KEMA's distribution portfolio.
- Fastenal: Global industrial MRO distributor with a network of on-site vending and supply solutions. Useful aspirational benchmark for industrial MRO distribution scale and operating model.
- Invicta Holdings: JSE-listed South African industrial group with PPE, bearings, and technical distribution segments. Relevant benchmark for diversified industrial distribution scale in Africa.
- WESCO International: Global distributor of electrical, communications, and utility products with growing industrial MRO and safety adjacencies. Comparable broad-incumbent industrial distribution model.
Regional players
- Imperial Health Sciences: Southern African healthcare and pharmaceutical distribution business serving enterprise customers across multiple African geographies. Comparable distribution-scale reference in African market context.
- Davis & Shirtliff: Leading East African technical equipment distributor (water pumps, pool equipment, generators) operating across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and other regional markets. Comparable regional distribution footprint and customer base to KEMA.
- GPC (General Print and Packaging / general industrial distributors in Kenya): Kenyan industrial and consumables distributor serving industrial and enterprise customers. Operates in overlapping geographies and customer segments though broader industrial range.
Emerging players
- BOVA Safety Wear: South African manufacturer and distributor of safety footwear and PPE. Direct product-overlap peer for KEMA's safety footwear category, though with manufacturing focus vs KEMA's distribution orientation.
Direct peers
- Bolt & Engineering (B&E): South African distributor of fasteners, PPE, and industrial consumables serving mining, manufacturing, and energy customers across Sub-Saharan Africa. Direct analog to KEMA's industrial MRO distribution model in a different country.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
KEMA E.A. social profiles
Digital presenceKEMA E.A. compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
KEMA E.A. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
KEMA E.A. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
KEMA E.A. subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
KEMA E.A. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
KEMA E.A. 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 KEMA E.A.
What does KEMA E.A. do?
KEMA E.A. supplies and distributes Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and industrial safety products across East and Central Africa, operating as an authorized distributor for global brands such as 3M, Honeywell, UVEX, Steel Blue, and SKF, alongside its own KEMA-branded safety products. The product range covers respiratory protection, safety footwear, head, eye, hearing, hand, and fall protection, protective clothing and workwear, spill control, first aid, and workplace safety equipment, as well as SKF bearings, seals, lubrication systems, power transmission solutions, and condition monitoring tools. Products meet international certifications (CE, SABS, EN, BS) and KEMA brand items carry a 9-month warranty.
Is KEMA E.A. a public or private company?
KEMA E.A. is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was KEMA E.A. founded?
KEMA E.A. was founded in 1990. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is KEMA E.A. based?
KEMA E.A. is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, in the Africa region.
How does KEMA E.A. make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. PPE and Safety Product Distribution is the primary driver. The others are SKF Industrial Products Distribution.
Who are KEMA E.A.'s main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Grainger, Hudaco Industries, Fastenal, Invicta Holdings and WESCO International. Regional players are Imperial Health Sciences, Davis & Shirtliff and GPC (General Print and Packaging / general industrial distributors in Kenya). BOVA Safety Wear is listed as an emerging player. Bolt & Engineering (B&E) is listed as a direct peer.
Does KEMA E.A. have an API?
No public API is recorded for KEMA E.A..
What industry is KEMA E.A. in?
KEMA E.A.'s product category is Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Distribution and Industrial Safety Products. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAOAGAK, PPE, Safety & Infection Control Supplies Distribution (JanSan-adjacent), with a secondary code of CRADALAJ, Protective Disposable Wear (Masks, Gloves, Shoe Covers, Hairnets). Its NAICS code is 3391 and its SIC code is 5160.