Netherlands-based Dunlop Protective Footwear is expanding its U.S. footprint.
The company today announced that it has purchased 75-year-old U.S. based protective bootmaker Onguard.
Combined, the two companies produce and sell more than 7 million pairs of safety boots globally, Dunlop said in a release. The manufacturers also cater to the same end-users, which include those working in agriculture, food processing, general industry, oil, gas and mining.
“We are happy to have Onguard joining our family, a company that has the same strong heritage, focus and determination like we have for many years,” Dunlop CEO Allard Bijlsma said in a release. “Our collective market knowledge, brand equity, innovation resources and people will safeguard the best interests of our valuable partners and customers now and in the future.”
Dunlop said it hopes its new access to Onguard’s U.S. distribution network as well as its manufacturing and logistic platform will accelerate the brand’s growth in the country.
Onguard, formerly Bata Shoe Co., was sold to Dunlop by New Jersey-based Ansell and is headquartered in Maryland.
“We remain focused on the execution of our strategic priorities, and divestiture of the Onguard by Ansell brand is a step to concentrate the body protection business to segments we can lead globally,” said Magnus Nicolin, CEO and managing director at Ansell, in a release.
