STUDSON, a safety helmet developer that recently launched the Full Brim ANSI Type II Safety Helmet, has announced the completion of a $2.48 million USD funding round and a strategic collaboration with Blaklader, a workwear brand specializing in the construction industry.
The funding round, led by a $1.4 million investment from HIA BV, the parent company of Blaklader, with additional capital provided by existing seed-round investors, will help STUDSON expand its business and capitalize on its triple-digit revenue growth year-over-year.
Blaklader brings to STUDSON decades of retailing and industrial market distribution, especially within Scandinavia and Europe, to help the above-the-neck safety equipment provider expand operations internationally.
The funds will also enable STUDSON to secure the inventory required to meet its North American sales commitments in 2024.
Since its founding in 2019, STUDSON has launched multiple Type II safety helmet offerings and accessories within the U.S.A. and Canada, securing contracts with several of the top 20 largest general contractors in the U.S. To maintain its growth, last year STUDSON quadrupled its warehouse space, in addition to launching a full-brim version of its SHK-1 safety helmet designed primarily for workers in commercial construction, clean energy, civil construction, oil, gas and utility industries.
Now STUDSON is planning to expand operations overseas, making Blaklader a natural strategic partner. Blaklader maintains dozens of physical storefronts across Scandinavia and Western Europe to help merchandise STUDSON products, in addition to leveraging its large sales team spread across the continent.
The company also offers a wealth of experience in the manufacturing of hi-visibility and fire-retardant textiles that complement STUDSON’s focus on above-the-neck industrial and commercial safety apparel.
STUDSON.
“By collaborating with STUDSON, not only do we unlock new territory for sales and distribution of Blaklader workwear in North America, but we can offer our customers compelling above-the-neck safety equipment that complements our existing line of technical workwear,” said Magnus Hellström, deputy managing director, Blaklader.
“STUDSON has built strong relationships with key customers in North America, in addition to creating an effective direct-to-consumer strategy that will be invaluable for Blaklader as we expand our sales footprint into North America.”
Blaklader is an 80-year-old Swedish business that remains family owned and operated. With multiple factories and warehouses around the globe, Blaklader controls its entire supply chain, making the company a smart business partner for STUDSON.
From manufacturing, logistics and inventory and SKU management, Blaklader will serve as a knowledgeable resource for STUDSON.
“2023 was a monumental year for STUDSON. We shipped our 100,000th helmet in the fourth quarter following the launch of the SHK-1 Type II Full-Brim safety helmet offering. We also expanded our headcount and warehouse space to handle the exponential growth of the business,” said Ryan Barnes, founder and CEO, STUDSON.
“With the additional capital, STUDSON can maintain its rapid growth, including the ability to significantly expand our inventory. Furthermore, the strategic collaboration with Blaklader provides us with additional access to more than 30 retail storefronts across Scandinavia and Europe along with a dedicated sales force to propel STUDSON’s growth into new geographies.”
