It’s Safe at the Top: Blue Point’s NSA Buys Bashlin Industries

National Safety Apparel, a portfolio company of Blue Point Capital Partners, has acquired Bashlin Industries.

Bashlin Industries designs and manufactures climbing gear, fall protection systems, and tool accessories used by power utility linemen, telecom field technicians, and industrial workers. The company’s branded products include pole and tower climbing belts, safety straps, body harnesses, and aerial tool buckets.

Bashlin was founded in 1926 by W.M. Bashlin and has been family-owned by four generations of the Bashlins with Brad McGill currently serving as president. The company is headquartered 60 miles north of Pittsburgh in Grove City, Pennsylvania.

“Joining the NSA family marks an exciting new chapter for Bashlin Industries,” said Brad McGill, the president of Bashlin. “Our shared commitment to high-quality manufacturing and safeguarding front-line workers makes this partnership a natural and powerful fit.”

National Safety Apparel (NSA) is a provider of flame-resistant clothing (FRC), electrical personal protective equipment (PPE), thermal and industrial PPE, workwear, and uniforms.

The majority of NSA’s branded products – including DRIFIRE, Enespro, and Wild Things – are made in the United States. The company’s DRIFIRE products include hi-vis, arc flash and flash fire industrial workwear and flame-resistant base layers, combat uniforms, and flight suits; the Wild Things brand includes cold weather military clothing; and its Enespro products include flame-resistant clothing, electrical safety PPE, and rubber voltage gloves. NSA was founded in 1935 and is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio.

The acquisition of Bashlin is NSA’s 16th add-on acquisition since 2012 and the third add-on acquisition closed by NSA since being acquired by Blue Point in May 2024. The two earlier acquisitions were Tri-Star Glove, an Indiana-based manufacturer of personal protective apparel (PPA) – primarily serving the automotive, foundry, fabrication, and glass sectors – which protect users from cuts and punctures, weld splatter, molten metal splash, and arc flash, in June 2024; and Warren Heim Corporation, a Florida-based manufacturer of insulated bags that are used to protect workers in the electrical utility market, in December 2024.

“Bashlin represents the third strategic addition to NSA within the first 15 months of our partnership – underscoring our joint focus on purposeful expansion and thoughtful integration,” said Jon Pressnell, a partner at Blue Point. “Blue Point’s investment and operational experience in the safety sector, combined with the manufacturing excellence of NSA and Bashlin, positions the platform for continued growth. We’re excited to build on this momentum through both organic expansion and strategic acquisitions.”

“Bashlin Industries has built an exceptional legacy rooted in product excellence, trusted relationships and unwavering integrity,” said Chuck Grossman, the CEO of NSA.

“NSA’s long-standing relationship with the Bashlin and Schell families goes back to our acquisition of Kunz Glove in 2020. Welcoming Bashlin to the NSA family of brands reinforces our commitment to the safety industry and widens our manufacturing capabilities, setting the stage for continued innovation and growth,” concluded Mr. Grossman.

Blue Point invests in companies active in the industrial, business services, consumer, and value-added distribution sectors, with revenues between $30 million and $300 million and EBITDA greater than $7 million. Blue Point is currently investing through its 2022 vintage $700 million fifth fund. The firm was founded in 2000 and has offices in Cleveland, Charlotte, Seattle, and Shanghai.

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