National Safety Apparel (NSA), a portfolio company of Blue Point Capital Partners, has acquired Gemtor, a maker of fall-protection, confined space retrieval, and rescue equipment.
Gemtor’s product line includes full-body harnesses, self-retracting lifelines, anchor slings, lanyards, escape belts, and rescue systems. These products are used by professionals in the industrial, utility, and emergency response sectors, including by linemen, construction workers, and fire rescue personnel.
Family-owned Gemtor was founded in 1985 by Allen Neustater and today is led by President Craig Neustater. Gemtor is headquartered 58 miles south of New York City in Matawan, New Jersey.
“NSA and Gemtor share a strong commitment to protecting front-line workers with premium safety solutions,” said Mr. Neustater. “We’re proud to join forces and bring more than 100 years of combined industry experience to the NSA platform.”
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 by Walter “Wally” Grossman in the basement of his father’s house in Cleveland and today is led by CEO Chuck Grossman.
“The Gemtor team exemplifies product excellence and reliability, which is a rare combination that has earned deep trust in the industry,” said Mr. Grossman. “Following our July acquisition of Bashlin Industries, Gemtor represents another step forward in accelerating NSA’s momentum and expanding our reach and capabilities.”
The acquisition of Gemtor is NSA’s 17th add-on acquisition since its founding and the fourth since Blue Point’s acquisition of the family-owned business in May 2024. The three earlier acquisitions by Blue Point are: Tri-Star Glove, an Indiana-based maker 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 (July 2024); Warren Heim Corporation, a Florida-based manufacturer of insulated bags that are used to protect workers in the electrical utility market (December 2024); and Bashlin Industries, a Pennsylvania-based maker of climbing gear, fall protection systems, and tool accessories used by power utility linemen, telecom field technicians, and industrial workers (July 2025).
“Gemtor’s addition reinforces NSA’s strategic priorities — expanding product diversity, manufacturing capabilities and distribution strength,” said Jonathan Pressnell, a partner at Blue Point. “This acquisition builds on NSA’s successful M&A integration track record, supported by Blue Point’s extensive experience in the manufacturing and safety sectors. We’re excited to continue adding value with hands-on operational support to drive both organic and acquisition-led growth.”
The global personal protective equipment (PPE) market is forecast to expand materially in the next decade, underpinned by heightened regulatory focus from OSHA in the United States and CEN in Europe, worker-safety initiatives, and the rising demand for advanced protective products that are lighter, more ergonomic, and use technologies that integrate sensors, connectivity, and sustainable materials to create “smart” PPE. According to Fortune Business Insights, the global PPE market was valued at approximately $84 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $116 billion by 2030, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8 %.
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.
© 2025 Private Equity Professional | October 24, 2025
