Blue Point Capital Partners and its portfolio company National Safety Apparel (NSA) have completed the acquisition of Tri-Star Glove (TSG), a prominent manufacturer of personal protective apparel catering primarily to automotive, foundry, fabrication, and glass industries. This marks NSA’s 14th acquisition since 2012 and its first venture since partnering with Blue Point less than two months ago.
Founded in 2000 by industry veterans Rod Townsend and Eric Moll, Tri-Star Glove, headquartered in Indiana, is renowned for its consistent, high-quality products designed with sustainability in mind. Specializing in custom solutions for workplace hazards, TSG collaborates closely with end-users, leveraging expertise in safety apparel to enhance workplace safety through thoughtful design and advanced materials.
Chuck Grossman, CEO of NSA, emphasized the strategic fit between the companies: “Tri-Star has built a strong reputation for manufacturing exceptional personal protective apparel across diverse markets. This partnership enables us to continue delivering premium PPE products, combining our industry expertise to better serve our customers.”
Rod Townsend, President of Tri-Star Glove, expressed enthusiasm about joining NSA’s portfolio under Blue Point’s guidance: “Eric and I are proud to integrate Tri-Star into NSA’s ecosystem. With Blue Point’s support, we look forward to advancing our business while preserving our longstanding commitment to quality and employee welfare.”
Tri-Star Glove has expanded beyond automotive gloves to encompass a broader range of industrial safety apparel, including products for welding, glass, and molten metals sectors. This expansion aligns well with NSA’s growth strategy, particularly in the high-growth hand protection market.
Jonathan Pressnell, Partner at Blue Point, highlighted the strategic significance of the acquisition: “NSA’s track record in M&A and Blue Point’s expertise in manufacturing and safety sectors position us well to drive further growth. We are committed to supporting management with operational resources and exploring new opportunities for expansion.”
NSA continues to actively seek partnerships with founders and owners in the PPE manufacturing sector. For more information, interested parties can contact Megan Kneipp, Managing Director of Business Development at Blue Point.
Tri-Star Glove specializes in inherent flame-resistant (IFR) high-performance safety apparel and gloves, tailored to meet diverse industry needs for protection against cuts, punctures, weld splatter, molten metal splash, and arc flash incidents. Established in 1935, NSA is a leader in flame-resistant clothing, electrical PPE, thermal & industrial PPE, workwear, and uniforms, with a strong commitment to quality and flexibility in manufacturing.
Blue Point Capital Partners, managing over $1.8 billion in capital, operates from Cleveland, Charlotte, and Seattle, focusing on building capabilities and processes to drive growth in lower middle-market businesses. Their portfolio is supported by extensive industry networks and specialized capabilities in global supply chain, digital strategies, and human capital management, making them a preferred partner for businesses with revenues ranging from $30 million to $300 million.
