Brunt Workwear, based in Boston, announced it had closed on a $20 million Series B funding round to accelerate growth just 17 months after the company launched.
The funding round was led by Stripes, a growth equity firm that invests in consumer businesses worldwide including On Running, Reformation, Erewhon, and Califia Farms. Returning investors included TF Cornerstone, Suffolk Technologies and Bolt.
Brunt said its apparel and boots aim to serve more than 17 million workers in the construction, installation, maintenance, and repair industries in the U.S. The additional funding will allow the company to increase inventory, grow its team, invest in additional product development, and expand retail channels beyond its digital storefront.
In 2021, six months after launching, Brunt added clothing and accessories to its product assortment to complement its work boots. Based on sell-through momentum, Brunt will continue to expand its product offerings to full seasonal workwear uniforms. The company said it “exceeded its 2021 forecast by 80 percent, as sales surged 119 percent between the first half and second half of the year.” In 2022, Brunt expects to see a “more than 200 percent growth over 2021”.
“Over the last ten years, brands like On Running and Nike have launched dozens of new performance running shoes rich with new features that drive comfort and performance, while construction and trade workers are still stuck with the same legacy shoe styles,” said Chris Carey, partner, Stripes. “It’s no surprise that Brunt has seen incredible early adoption and consumer love. Their direct-to-consumer model, coupled with Eric’s fanatical focus on product innovation and quality, has enabled Brunt to deliver shoes and apparel with superior comfort, performance and value compared to the incumbents. We’re thrilled to partner with Eric and the Brunt team to help them double down on their investments in the product and to continue to deliver an incredible value proposition for their customers”
“I launched Brunt to give the true boots-on-the-ground workforce the innovation and attention they deserve when it comes to the tools they wear to do their job every day,” said Eric Girouard, founder and CEO. “We are so grateful to have new partners like Stripes and returning partners such as TF Cornerstone and Suffolk Technologies believe in our cause and in the opportunity to serve this inspiring, yet too often ignored, community of tradespeople and construction workers. Despite our success to date, we’ve only scratched the surface. With this new investment, we hope to scale our team and bring even more high-performance products at an exceptional value to millions of workers.”
Prior to launching Brunt, Girouard spent more than a decade working in the e-commerce and direct-to-consumer space at startups including Rue La La, M.Gemi and Trade Coffee.
Photo courtesy Brunt Workwear
