What is turnout gear?
Turnout gear (also known as bunker gear) is the durable, fire-resistant clothing worn by firefighters while responding to fires. It is arguably the most vital part of firefighting equipment, as turnout gear is the last barrier between a first responder and danger. The goal of turnout gear is to allow mobility and comfort while protecting the wearer from moisture, chemicals, thermal extremes, and other dangerous hazards. This gear must not be too bulky or stressful on the wearer but must also provide adequate protection. Turnout gear is typically composed of a thermal liner, a moisture barrier, and an outer shell, but firefighters also wear underlayers beneath the turnout gear which are made of cotton or fire-resistant fibers to add to their protection.
What are turnout gear manufacturers?
There is no “one size fits all” turnout gear, as firefighters operate across the globe in wildly different environments. As a result, turnout gear manufacturers must work closely alongside specific fire departments to design gear specifically to meet their needs. This typically includes stocking various options and/or developing and manufacturing custom products to address the needs of certain protocols/procedures. Turnout gear manufacturers must match specific fabrics with specifications and key department criteria and provide the best blend of wearability and protection available. They will also provide connection points for equipment, ease of use features, and more to ensure firefighters have everything they need to do their job.
In the next sections, we will explore the top featured manufacturers and suppliers of turnout gear on Thomas, as well as the top suppliers in the US and Canada by revenue.
Top Featured Turnout Gear Manufacturers and Suppliers on Thomas
Table 1 below lists the top featured manufacturers and suppliers of turnout gear on Thomasnet.com. Included in the information, you’ll find details on each company’s location, year founded, number of employees, and brief summary of activities.
Table 1: Top Featured Turnout Gear Manufacturers and Suppliers on Thomas
| Company | Location | Year Founded | No. of Employees |
| Paulson Manufacturing Corp. | Temecula, CA | 1947 | 200-499 |
| Matjack-Indianapolis Industrial Products | Indianapolis, IN | 1981 | 1-9 |
| Steven Brown & Associates, Inc. | Wilmington, DE | 2000 | 1-9 |
| Jorgensen Co. | Fresno, CA | 1932 | 50-99 |
| Lakeland Industries, Inc. | Huntsville, AL | 1982 | 1000+ |
| Kinequip, Inc. | Buffalo, NY | 1946 | 10-49 |
| Universal Air & Gas Products (aka Universal Air Products Corp.) | Norfolk, VA | 1962 | 10-49 |
| Interstate Products, Inc. | Sarasota, FL | 1996 | 10-49 |
| Master Fire Prevention Systems, Inc. | Bronx, NY | 1969 | 50-99 |
| Columbia Weather Systems, Inc. | Hillsboro, OR | 1998 | 1-9 |
Top Featured Turnout Gear Manufacturers and Suppliers on Thomas—Company Summaries
Paulson Manufacturing Corp. is a manufacturing company that provides a wide range of personal protective equipment including goggles, face shields, hat brackets, headgear, sun shields, knee shields, and handheld riot control shields. The company has its headquarters located in Temecula, CA, and has been in business since 1947.
Matjack-Indianapolis Industrial Products is a manufacturing company that provides inflatable air lifting bags, as well as inflatable pipe plugs, portable roadways, airbag leak sealing kits, and digital water leveling systems. The company has its headquarters located in Indianapolis, IN, and has been operating since its founding in 1981.
Steven Brown & Associates, Inc. is a distributor that provides fire protection equipment including electric motor-driven fire pumps, main relief valves, suction control valves, gaskets, swing bolt assemblies, and roof manifolds. The company has its headquarters located in Wilmington, DE, and has been in business since 2000.
Jorgensen Co. is a distribution company that supplies a wide range of safety products for fire, personal, and plant production purposes, among others. Its line of products includes aprons, disposables, vests, sleeves, eye protection, gloves, head protection, respirators, and traffic control cones. The company is headquartered in Fresno, CA, and has been in business since 1921.
Lakeland Industries is a global leader in the manufacturing of protective clothing to help improve the quality of safety for the industrial workforce including fire services, electric and gas utilities, petrochemical, hazardous waste sites, chemical handling, cleanrooms, and road crews, to name a few. Backed by over 40 years of time-tested, high-performance workwear, they empower their customers to provide the safest working environment possible. Their ergonomic Stealth turnout gear increases the range of motion while still providing ample features, and they also make traditional and proximity outfits fit for extreme-heat applications. The company is globally headquartered in Huntsville, AL.
Kinequip, Inc. is a distributor that provides a wide range of equipment for automation, fluid power, electrical, vacuum, and compressed air system purposes. Its line of products includes motors, air compressors, filters, fittings, sensors, and gauges. The company is located in Buffalo, NY, and has been in business since 1946.
Universal Air & Gas Products (aka Universal Air Products Corp.) is a manufacturing company that provides both standard and custom filtration, compression precipitation, and drying systems. Its line of products includes filters, dryers, blowers, boosters, process water chillers, and natural gas refueling stations. The company has its headquarters located in Norfolk, VA, and has been operating since its establishment in 1962.
Interstate Products, Inc. is a distributor that supplies the government, industrial, emergency management, military, and commercial sectors with products for safety, maintenance, spill containment, storage, and environmental purposes. Its line of products includes spill berms, safety cabinets, carts, portable quarantine rooms, and biohazard cans. The company is located in Sarasota, FL, and has been in business since 1996.
Master Fire Prevention Systems, Inc. is a distributor that supplies and installs fire suppression systems for a wide range of purposes including residential kitchens, exhaust hoods, blower and fan equipment, and restaurant kitchen ventilation equipment. The company has its headquarters located in the Bronx, NY, and has been in business since 1969.
Columbia Weather Systems, Inc. is a manufacturing company that provides weather stations for industrial and governmental use. Its types include all-in-one and modular sensor variations. The company has its headquarters located in Hillsboro, OR, and has been in business since 1998.
Top Turnout Gear Manufacturers and Suppliers on Thomas by Revenue
Table 2 below lists the top manufacturers and suppliers of turnout gear in the USA, ranked by estimated annual revenue as found on Thomasnet.com. Besides the revenues, you’ll find details on each company’s location, year founded, and brief summary of activities. Dashes indicate where data was unavailable.
Table 2: Top Turnout Gear Manufacturers and Suppliers on Thomas by Revenue
| Company | Location | Year Founded | Annual Revenue |
| MSA The Safety Company | Cranberry Township, PA | 1914 | $250 Mil. and over |
| Westvac Industrial Ltd. | Acheson, AB | 1997 | $250 Mil. and over |
| AMETEK Land | Pittsburg, PA | 1947 | $250 Mil. and over |
| Ben Meadows | Janesville, WI | 1939 | $250 Mil. and over |
| Hiller New England | Amesbury, MA | 1919 | $250 Mil. and over |
| Hiller Systems | Pensacola, FL | 1919 | $250 Mil. and over |
| Lakeland Industries, Inc. | Huntsville, AL | 1982 | $100 – 249.9 Mil |
| NAI Company | Houston, TX | 1987 | $100 – 249.9 Mil |
| Gentex Corporation | Carbondale, PA | 1974 | $100 – 249.9 Mil |
| Solution Fire Prevention Inc. | Flushing, NY | – | $100 – 249.9 Mil |
Top Turnout Gear Manufacturers and Suppliers on Thomas by Revenue—Company Summaries
MSA The Safety Company is a manufacturing firm that supplies the construction, law enforcement, fire service, military, healthcare, and petrochemical industries, among others, with a wide range of safety products. Its line of products includes respirators, thermal imaging cameras, gas & flame detectors, and personal protection equipment. The company is located in Cranberry Township, PA, and has been in business since 1914.
Westvac Industrial Ltd. is a distributor that provides fleet and fire equipment, as well as automotive lifts, street sweepers, articulating tractors, and ladder trucks. It also offers a number of additional services including repair, inspection, and testing. The company is located in Acheson, AB, and has been operating since 1997.
AMETEK Land is a manufacturing firm that supplies the glass-making, hydrocarbon processing, and thermal power general industries, among others, with fiber optic, non-contact, fixed spot, infrared, and precision thermometers. the company has its headquarters located in Pittsburgh, PA, and has been operating since its founding in 1947.
Ben Meadows is a distributor that supplies equipment and supplies for outdoor and forestry purposes. Its line of products includes thermometers, tapes, socks, handsoaps, analyzers, power tools, measuring wheels, clinometers, fire fighting clothing, laboratory coats, stainless steel cleaners, gas detectors, and much more. The company is headquartered in Janesville, WI, and has been in business since 1939.
Hiller New England is a distribution company that specializes in fire and safety protection systems and related supplies. The company has its headquarters located in Amesbury, MA, and has been in business since its establishment in 1919.
Hiller Systems is a distribution company that specializes in fire and safety protection systems and related supplies. The company has its headquarters located in Pensacola, FL, and has been in business since its establishment in 1919.
Lakeland Industries is a global leader in the manufacturing of protective clothing to help improve the quality of safety for the industrial workforce including fire services, electric and gas utilities, petrochemical, hazardous waste sites, chemical handling, cleanrooms, and road crews, to name a few. Backed by over 40 years of time-tested, high-performance workwear, they empower their customers to provide the safest working environment possible. Their ergonomic Stealth turnout gear increases the range of motion while still providing ample features, and they also make traditional and proximity outfits fit for extreme-heat applications. The company is globally headquartered in Huntsville, AL.
NAI Company is a manufacturing company that provides a wide range of construction materials. Its line of products includes mechanical systems, control systems, building products, raw materials, marine supplies, chemicals, drives, radion systems, transfer switches, transformers, and power supplies. The company is headquartered in Houston, TX, and has been in business since 1987.
Gentex Corporation is a manufacturing company that provides personal protection equipment, as well as communication products, and other related platforms and systems. Its specific line of products includes helmet-mounted displays, aircrew life support systems, ground soldier protection equipment, and aluminized fabrics. The company has its headquarters located in Carbondale, PA, and has been operating since 1974.
Solution Fire Prevention Inc. is a service company that provides the installation, maintenance, and inspection of fire suppression systems and smoke detectors. It also offers 24/7 emergency services, as well as fire extinguishers. The company has its headquarters located in Flushing, NY.