Saf-Gard® Safety Shoe Company Takes Over HYTEST National Contract Business in Deal with Wolverine Outdoor Inc.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — August 28, 2025 — Saf-Gard^® Safety Shoe Company is proud to announce that, effective August 12, 2025, it has acquired the national account contract business from HYTEST^® Safety Footwear, under an asset purchase agreement with Wolverine Outdoor Inc.

Since the early days, when Bob and Ann Kubis founded Saf-Gard^® in North Carolina, the company has grown steadily through strong partnerships—like the one with the HYTEST distributor network that helped launch it. Now, Saf-Gard^® is stepping into a new chapter within that very same network. It’s more than growth—it’s a full-circle moment grounded in legacy and long-standing relationships.

HYTEST continues making their boots, and HYTEST still owns their brand—but now, Saf-Gard^® is stepping in to manage the day-to-day operations for the HYTEST national contract business. In partnership with HYTEST Network distributors, we’re handling the sales, marketing, central billing, contracts, and customer service work that keeps the wheels turning to serve large national customers who need a total safety footwear solution. We’ll keep doing what we do best, serving workers on the ground through our shoemobile, retail and online solutions. Customers can turn over their entire program for Saf-Gard^® to manage.

“Being part of this next chapter with HYTEST means a great deal to our family and to everyone at Saf-Gard^®,” said Patrick Kubis, President of Saf-Gard^® Safety Shoe Company. “It represents the values we were founded on—hard work, trust and building something that lasts. My parents laid that foundation decades ago and to help carry that forward now, with the same HYTEST Network distributors that supported them from the start, is both humbling and incredibly meaningful.” 

Saf-Gard^® has been on a steady climb—expanding our reach and sharpening our services. This move strengthens what we do best: supporting hard-working people with solid programs, strong partnerships, and footwear that gets the job done.

About Saf-Gard®: Saf-Gard^® Safety Shoe Company has built its reputation on giving its customers the protection and comfort they need. No fine print. Just honest, custom safety shoe solutions that simplify everything. Saf-Gard^® designs and implements safety footwear programs for everything from large industrial and government operations to transportation and service organizations. Employees can get the safety footwear they need from retail stores, mobile shoe stores or online.

Learn more at www.safgard.com. 

For additional details, please contact

Ethan Cribb

Communications Specialist

ecribb@safgard.com

119 E. Lewis Street, Greensboro, NC 27407

(919) 777-4992