Dunlop Protective Footwear

Dunlop Protective Footwear is the global leader in high-performance safety boots for professionals. As a trusted name in the personal protective equipment industry, Dunlop sets the standard for safety, durability and comfort. With proprietary manufacturing technology and a globally recognized brand, Dunlop delivers premium-quality safety boots that workers rely on every day.

In 2004, Gilde acquired the small and local boots company Hevea from tire manufacturer Vredestein. For over a decade, management and Gilde have continuously grown the company’s international footprint. This started by investing heavily in sales and marketing, focusing entirely on the Dunlop brand and the company’s proprietary PUROFORT® technology.

The step-change acquisition of US competitor Onguard in 2016 was another milestone in Dunlop’s global expansion. In 2018, EQT acquired a majority stake in Dunlop.

In 2024, we re-acquired the majority stake in Dunlop from EQT. The company’s strong local presence in North America, innovation and sustainability leadership in the industry and digital platform, will enable Dunlop to expand further in the coming years.

Dunlop currently sells over 6 million safety boots per year and realizes more than EUR 110 million in sales. The company has a distribution network spanning over 50 countries worldwide and operates three production facilities in the Netherlands, Portugal and the US.


www.dunlopboots.com