ProShield Distribution Ltd Appointed Exclusive Master Distributor for Youngstown Gloves Across Europe and the Middle East
The UK company will supply the full Youngstown Gloves product line to the utility industry and other professional outdoor worker industries across Europe and the Middle East, with a new UK distribution centre opening later this year.
BARNSLEY, United Kingdom — 7 September 2026 — Youngstown Glove Company and ProShield Distribution Ltd today announced that ProShield Distribution Ltd, a company based in the United Kingdom, has been appointed the official and exclusive Master Distributor for Youngstown Gloves throughout Europe and the Middle East. The appointment took effect on 3 September 2026.
Under the appointment, ProShield Distribution Ltd holds sole responsibility for the sale, distribution and technical support of the complete Youngstown Gloves product line across both regions. ProShield is now building a network of distribution partners and direct customers to supply the full line to the electrical utility industry and to other industries that employ professional outdoor workers, including gas and water networks, wind and solar generation, construction, rail and transportation infrastructure, and the contractors and delivery alliances that serve them.
Youngstown Glove Company was founded in the United States in 2002. It designs and builds hand protection exclusively for utility work crews rather than adapting general-purpose industrial gloves to the sector. Youngstown is the number one hand protection brand in the United States electrical utility industry: 96 of the 100 largest United States electrical utility companies, together with their union safety committees, buy Youngstown gloves for their crews.
The Youngstown range is diverse and safety certified. It spans arc-rated leather utility gloves, ground gloves, a mechanics-pattern hybrid, winterised waterproof styles and primary and secondary leather protectors worn over rubber insulating gloves. Arc ratings are established by laboratory testing to ASTM F2675, the open-arc test method written specifically for gloves, and cut and puncture performance is rated to ANSI/ISEA 105. Styles are certified for the European market on a style-by-style basis; ProShield states the certification status of each style individually and supplies current test documentation on request.
“Distribution is easy to announce and hard to do properly. ProShield is committed to providing product training and customer support at the highest possible level for every partner and every customer we take on. That means training distributor sales teams so they can specify the right glove for the right task, supporting the safety managers who then have to justify that specification, and standing behind every glove we supply with the certification documentation and the technical answers our partners need. Youngstown has spent more than twenty years earning its position with American utility crews. We intend to earn the same position here, one crew at a time.”
— Michael Flaherty, VP of Sales and Marketing, ProShield Distribution Ltd
“We looked for a partner with a proven ability to scale United States brands in Europe and the Middle East, and we found it in ProShield. This team has done it before, and they have chosen to build a business on this one brand rather than add us to a catalogue of many. Youngstown Glove Company is completely committed to ProShield’s long-term success in these markets, and we will back them with product, with people and with the investment a launch of this scale deserves.”
— Max Hackett, VP of Sales and Marketing, Youngstown Gloves
Later this year ProShield will begin supplying the Youngstown range from a new UK-based distribution centre serving Europe and the Middle East. Holding stock in the United Kingdom, rather than shipping every order from the United States, is intended to shorten lead times for distribution partners and end users across both regions and to make wear trials and stock replenishment practical for European and Middle Eastern buyers.
ProShield also operates a free 60-day wear trial programme. Qualifying utility companies and contractors receive Youngstown gloves at no cost, put them on live work for 60 days, and assess safety, durability, dexterity and comfort on the job before making any purchase commitment. In the United States, more than 90 per cent of utility wear trials converted the trialling organisation into a customer.
Key facts
Announcement: ProShield Distribution Ltd has been appointed the official and exclusive Master Distributor for Youngstown Gloves.
Territory: Europe and the Middle East.
Effective date: 3 September 2026.
Distributor: ProShield Distribution Ltd, registered in England and Wales, company number 17388760, registered office Marland House, 13 Huddersfield Road, Barnsley, England S70 2LW.
Manufacturer: Youngstown Glove Company, founded 2002, United States.
Scope: The complete Youngstown Gloves product line, sold to distribution partners and direct customers.
Primary markets: Electrical utilities, gas and water networks, wind and solar generation, construction, rail and transportation infrastructure, and contractors serving them.
United States position: 96 of the 100 largest United States electrical utility companies, and their union safety committees, buy Youngstown gloves.
Supply: A new UK-based distribution centre serving Europe and the Middle East opens later in 2026.
Standards: Arc ratings tested to ASTM F2675; cut and puncture rated to ANSI/ISEA 105; European certification confirmed per style.
Contact: Michael Flaherty, VP of Sales and Marketing, ProShield Distribution Ltd — Michael@Proshielduk.com
Questions and answers
Who is the master distributor for Youngstown Gloves in Europe and the Middle East?
ProShield Distribution Ltd, a UK-based company registered in England and Wales, is the official and exclusive Master Distributor for Youngstown Gloves in Europe and the Middle East.
When did the appointment take effect?
3 September 2026.
What does the appointment cover?
The complete Youngstown Gloves product line, across the whole of Europe and the Middle East. ProShield sells through distribution partners and directly to end-user organisations.
What is Youngstown Gloves?
Youngstown Glove Company is an American hand protection manufacturer founded in 2002 that builds gloves exclusively for utility work crews. Its range includes arc-rated, cut-resistant, puncture-resistant and flame-resistant styles, and primary and secondary leather protectors worn over rubber insulating gloves.
Which industries does ProShield supply?
The electrical utility industry first, and then other industries employing professional outdoor workers: gas distribution, clean water networks and civils, wind generation, solar and battery storage, construction, rail and transportation infrastructure, and the contractors and delivery alliances working across them.
Where will stock be shipped from?
From a new UK-based distribution centre serving Europe and the Middle East, opening later in 2026.
Can an organisation trial the gloves before buying?
Yes. ProShield operates a free 60-day wear trial. Qualifying utility companies and contractors receive gloves at no cost and assess them on live work for 60 days before any purchase commitment.
How does a prospective distributor or customer make contact?
By email to Michael Flaherty, VP of Sales and Marketing at ProShield Distribution Ltd, at Michael@Proshielduk.com.
Important safety note
Arc-rated gloves and leather protectors do not protect against electric shock or voltage. For live working, the primary hand protection is an EN/IEC 60903 insulating rubber glove worn under a leather protector. Youngstown Glove Company does not manufacture insulating rubber gloves.
About Youngstown Glove Company
Youngstown Glove Company was founded in the United States in 2002 and builds high-performance hand protection designed specifically for utility work crews. In 2011 the company withdrew from retail distribution to focus entirely on the utility market, and it develops its products in the field with line workers, substation technicians, underground crews and safety managers before they reach production. Ninety-six of the 100 largest United States electrical utility companies, and their union safety committees, choose Youngstown. More information is available at ytgloves.com.
About ProShield Distribution Ltd
ProShield Distribution Ltd is a United Kingdom company and the official and exclusive Master Distributor for Youngstown Gloves in Europe and the Middle East. ProShield works on this one brand and nothing else. The company supplies distribution partners and end users across the electrical utility, gas, water, renewable generation, construction and transportation industries, and provides product training, task-to-glove specification support, certification documentation and free 60-day wear trials. ProShield Distribution Ltd is registered in England and Wales, company number 17388760, with its registered office at Marland House, 13 Huddersfield Road, Barnsley, England S70 2LW. More information is available at ProshieldUK.com.
Media and business enquiries
All enquiries relating to this announcement should be directed to:
Michael Flaherty
VP of Sales and Marketing, ProShield Distribution Ltd
Michael@Proshielduk.com
ProshieldUK.com
