GEBR. RUNDE

What GEBR. RUNDE does

GEBR. RUNDE GmbH is a Hamburg-based, family-owned German workwear and occupational safety clothing distributor founded in 1922 (the "Gebrüder" name reflects its founding-family heritage). The company supplies workwear, professional clothing, personal protective equipment (PPE), and safety footwear to B2B industrial and commercial customers, operating from a single domestic headquarters in Hamburg with 11–50 employees. Its distribution is built around a proprietary e-commerce platform (runde.de) targeting German and DACH-region enterprises, complemented by industry-segmented offerings such as a dedicated "RUNDE Lufthanseaten" line serving aviation customers and named enterprise accounts including Lufthansa, Endress+Hauser, Olympus, and SGS Germany.

The product portfolio spans three core categories — Arbeitssicherheit/PSA (PPE including fall protection, helmets, hearing/eye/respiratory protection, gloves, and exoskeletons), Arbeitskleidung/Berufskleidung (work shirts, pants, overalls, corporate wear, hi-vis, and seasonal ranges), and Arbeitsschuhe (safety footwear). The technical differentiator is compliance with European safety standards (EN ISO 20345 for footwear, EN 20471 for hi-vis, EN 342 for cold protection, IEC 61340 for ESD), supported by ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 management certifications, Oeko-Tex Standard 100 for textile safety, and product testing partnerships with SGS and TÜV. Recent product additions include an E-Mobility Schutz line for EV maintenance, heated carbon-fiber jackets, BOA-fit carbon-toe safety sandals, exoskeletons, and a "Fair Workwear" sustainable line using Sorona, Lyocell/TENCEL, and Fairtrade cotton, alongside circularity services (Second Life Runde recycling program).

The business model is straightforward B2B distribution through runde.de, with revenue generated from product resale, value-added services (logo embroidery, repair, clothing concepts), and resale/distribution of branded lines such as RUNNEX, Portwest, and Steelite. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. The company is privately held with no disclosed parent, no funding rounds, and no M&A activity in the data. Current Managing Directors are Jens Lübbert and Lars Lübbert, and the entity is a German GmbH (private limited company).

Name

GEBR. RUNDE

Legal name

GEBR. RUNDE GmbH

Website

https://runde.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1922

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

GEBR. RUNDE GmbH is a family-owned Hamburg-based B2B distributor (founded 1922) of certified workwear, PPE, and safety footwear serving German and DACH-region industrial enterprises via its runde.de e-commerce platform, with named accounts including Lufthansa, Endress+Hauser, and Olympus.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Occupational Safety Workwear and PPE

NAICS

Footwear Manufacturing (3162)

akta.pro primary industry

Fire-Resistant (FR) & Arc-Rated Apparel (CRAAALAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Protective & Work Accessories Manufacturing (Safety Gloves/Hi-Vis Accessories) (IMAOAFAH)

Keywords

• Occupational safety clothing
• Personal protective equipment
• Workwear supplies
• Safety footwear
• Industrial protective gear

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

GEBR. RUNDE GmbH is a German wholesaler and distributor of occupational safety equipment, professional workwear, and personal protective equipment (PPE). The company supplies certified safety products including fall protection, helmets, respiratory and hearing protection, safety footwear, hi-vis warning clothing, cold/heat protection, ESD clothing, and corporate/uniform apparel to B2B industrial, commercial, and professional customers in Germany. The company also offers custom logo embroidery services and circularity/recycling programs.

Product overview

GEBR. RUNDE GmbH operates as a manufacturer and wholesaler of occupational safety and professional workwear, founded in 1922. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio organized into core categories: Arbeitssicherheit/PSA (work safety and personal protective equipment), Arbeitskleidung/Berufskleidung (workwear and professional clothing), and Arbeitsschuhe (work shoes). Product subcategories include seasonal offerings (Winterkleidung, Sommerkleidung), specialized lines (Warnschutz high-visibility clothing, Fair Workwear sustainable collection), and specialty items like the Ultrasonic heated jackets, E-Mobility protection gear, and exoskeletons. The company also provides value-added services including custom logo embroidery/personalization, clothing concepts, repair services, and circularity programs for sustainable clothing lifecycle management. Key brands include RUNNEX (safety footwear), and products span safety standards including EN ISO 20345, EN 20471, EN 342, and certifications such as ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RUNDE: Primary brand name used for the company's workwear and safety clothing products.
• protect
• medic
• Fair Workwear

Products and services

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) / Work Safety Comprehensive PPE portfolio for industrial and commercial workers including fall protection, UV-protective workwear, safety helmets, respiratory protection, safety glasses, hearing protection, work gloves, protective suits, ESD clothing, forestry protection, cut protection, multi-norm clothing, cold/heat protection, weather protection, and exoskeletons.
• Workwear and Professional Clothing Professional workwear for various industries including women's workwear, work shirts, work pants, work overalls, functional underwear, caps and beanies, aprons, business clothing, corporate wear, outdoor gear, and uniform/service clothing.
• Safety Footwear (Arbeitsschuhe) Safety and occupational footwear certified to EN ISO 20345 standards, including safety shoes, occupational shoes, and shoe accessories such as socks and insoles.
• Winter Workwear (Winterkleidung) Cold-protection workwear certified to EN 342, including thermal jackets, cold protection jackets, winter knitwear, fleece jackets, thermal pants, winter work shoes, winter beanies, and winter gloves.
• Summer Workwear (Sommerkleidung) Summer workwear including T-shirts, polo shirts, shorts, warning protection gear, basecaps, and summer sandals (including ESD models certified to EN ISO 20345) for warm-weather conditions.
• Hi-Vis Warning Protection Clothing (Warnschutzkleidung) High-visibility warning protection clothing certified to EN 20471, including hi-vis T-shirts, contrast shirts, mesh-insert shirts, and shorts with reflective strips for railway and industrial use.
• Fair Workwear (Sustainable Workwear Line) Sustainable and ethically produced workwear line featuring materials such as Sorona (bio-based fibers), Lyocell (TENCEL), Fairtrade-certified cotton, and organic cotton.
• Exoskeletons Support exoskeletons for industrial applications designed to reduce worker strain and fatigue.
• E-Mobility Protection Gear (E-Mobility Schutz) Protective equipment designed for electric vehicle maintenance and repair work, addressing the specific safety requirements of e-mobility technicians.
• Custom Logo Embroidery and Printing Service (Logoservice/Stickservice) Custom logo embroidery, printing, personalization, and finishing services for corporate identity clothing and corporate wear.
• Circularity and Recycling Services Sustainable services including recycled clothing, the Second Life Runde program, clothing recycling and disposal, and environmental partnership programs.
• Basecaps and Headwear Promotional and professional caps including 3-panel, 5-panel, and 6-panel caps, knitted caps, microfleece caps, safety caps with reflective elements, and bio-cotton options; some certified to Oeko-Tex Standard 100.
• Ultrasonic Heated Tunnel Jacket Heated winter jacket featuring embedded carbon fiber heating panels with three heat levels controlled by a chest button, water-resistant quilted fabric, and battery providing 3-10 hours of warmth. Outer fabric is 100% Polyester 300T microfiber with antistatic finish.
• FOOTWEAR CARBON Safety Sandal Lightweight, breathable safety sandal featuring BOA Fit System closure, carbon fiber toe cap, XL EXTRALIGHT EVA midsole, non-marking rubber outsole, and ESD certification per EN IEC 61340 standards.
• Summer Vest (Sommer Weste) Lightweight summer vest with cotton-blend material, front zipper, and multiple pockets including phone-compatible chest pockets; designed for outdoor work, logistics, and field service to reduce heat stress and improve productivity.
• Fire Containment Products (Brandbegrenzungsdecke / Löschdecke) Fire containment and suppression products including fire blankets (Brandbegrenzungsdecke), fire containment curtains (Brandbegrenzungsvorhang), battery protection blankets (Akkuschutzdecke), and fire containment covers (Brandbegrenzungshülle).
• First Aid Products (Erste Hilfe) First aid products and supplies for workplace first-aid compliance in industrial and commercial environments.
• Sport, Leisure, and Team Sports Apparel Sport and leisure apparel including biking accessories, running and fitness clothing, and team sportswear.

Named customers4 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

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• PortwestminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPortwest is a brand of workwear and safety clothing sold through GEBR. RUNDE's distribution channels. GEBR. RUNDE serves as a reseller/distributor for the Portwest brand in the German market.
• SteeliteminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSteelite safety footwear brand distributed through GEBR. RUNDE's sales channels in Germany.
• SGScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSGS provides testing and certification services for workwear and safety products. Products meet standards such as EN 342, EN ISO 20345, EN 20471. SGS is a key certification partner ensuring product compliance with European safety standards.
• TÜVcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTÜV provides product testing and certification services. GEBR. RUNDE products carry TÜV certification for quality and safety compliance.
• GermanFashionminorOthersGermanFashion is a German workwear and protective clothing industry association. GEBR. RUNDE holds membership in this industry body.

Broad incumbents

• Elis: Major European workwear, flat-linen, and hygiene services group; competes primarily via the rental/services model rather than direct product sales, but addresses overlapping industrial customers.
• UVEX Safety Group: Larger German-headquartered PPE manufacturer (helmets, eyewear, gloves, hearing protection); broader portfolio and brand reach, but overlapping product categories and customer base.

Direct peers

• MEWA Textil-Service: German workwear service company offering rental, laundering, and circular management of industrial workwear; overlaps with GEBR. RUNDE's industrial customer base and adds a competing circular-services model.
• CWS Workwear: European workwear and hygiene services provider with strong DACH presence; competes for the same B2B industrial accounts via rental and service contracts.
• Engelbert Strauss: German family-owned workwear and occupational clothing specialist selling through a B2B/D2C hybrid model; directly comparable in product mix, customer segments, and German-market focus.
• Blåkläder: Swedish workwear manufacturer specializing in durable, certified workwear and hi-vis clothing; comparable product positioning and European B2B industrial customer base.
• Mascot International: Danish workwear manufacturer with a broad portfolio of certified workwear, safety footwear, and hi-vis products sold across European B2B channels.
• Alsico: Belgian workwear manufacturer serving industrial, healthcare, and food-processing customers across Europe; similar B2B industrial focus and multi-standard certified product range.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gebr.-runde-gmbh

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 GEBR. RUNDE