Ritz Safety Acquires Gloves Plus to Expand PPE Distribution

Ritz Safety has acquired Gloves Plus Inc., a distributor of personal protective equipment and safety supplies based in Simpsonville, South Carolina, according to a LinkedIn post from the president of Ritz Safety on November 9.

The acquisition brings the Simpsonville-based distributor into the national footprint of Ritz Safety. Gloves Plus has spent more than 30 years providing safety solutions to a wide range of sectors, including manufacturing, construction, medical, dental, oil and gas, and foodservice.

Ritz Safety has not announced an acquisition since adding TAF Environmental and Safety Controls Inc. to its operations in November 2022.

Gloves Plus specializes in a variety of essential supplies, ranging from cut-resistant gloves and fall protection to janitorial and packaging products. The company also offers customized safety gear, such as branded hard hats, safety glasses, jackets, and safety vests, shipping to customers throughout the contiguous United States.

Ritz Safety, which remains a family-owned business, traces its history back to 1983. The company began in Pompano Beach, Florida, when Emily Ritz and her son, Peter Merkl, sold work boots and gloves from a truck before expanding into a national distributor.

Ritz Safety Acquires Gloves Plus to Expand PPE Distribution

Today, the Ritz Safety network includes more than 18 locations nationwide and employs over 300 people. The company serves a client base of more than 13,000 customers, providing a broad portfolio that includes respiratory and hearing protection, gas detection, first aid supplies, and protective apparel.

Beyond the sale of physical goods, Ritz Safety provides specialized services such as equipment rentals and repairs, on-site safety evaluations, training, and customer-specific programs like vending services.

The integration of Gloves Plus adds specialized expertise in PPE and janitorial supplies to the existing Ritz Safety infrastructure, strengthening its ability to serve industrial and medical markets across the country.