Company Description
Brady Corporation is a global manufacturer and distributor of identification solutions and workplace safety products that help organizations create safer, more efficient work environments. Founded in 1914 and headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the company serves customers across multiple industries in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia through a diverse portfolio of products designed to identify and protect people, products, and places.
Business Segments
Brady operates through two primary business segments. The Identification Solutions (IDS) segment manufactures and markets industrial and healthcare identification products, including high-performance label printers ranging from portable handheld devices to industrial-grade systems, pre-printed and custom labels for various applications, barcode and RFID solutions for asset tracking and inventory management, wire and cable identification products, and specialized software platforms for label design and print automation. This segment serves manufacturers, laboratories, healthcare facilities, and other organizations requiring durable identification systems that withstand harsh environmental conditions.
The Workplace Safety (WPS) segment produces safety and compliance products sold under multiple brand names through catalog and digital channels to maintenance, repair, and operations customers. This segment includes lockout/tagout (LOTO) devices and equipment for machine energy isolation during maintenance, safety signs and facility identification products, pipe markers and valve tags for industrial facilities, floor marking tape and area demarcation systems, absorbent materials and spill containment products, and professional safety services including lockout/tagout program development, arc flash assessments, and confined space identification.
Product Categories and Applications
Label Printers and Labeling Systems: Brady manufactures a complete range of label printers designed for industrial environments. These include portable printers for field applications, desktop models for office and laboratory use, and high-speed industrial printers capable of producing thousands of labels for manufacturing operations. The printers work with Brady's proprietary label materials engineered to resist chemicals, extreme temperatures, UV exposure, and abrasion.
Safety Identification Products: The company produces an extensive catalog of safety signs, tags, and visual communication products that help organizations maintain regulatory compliance and communicate hazards effectively. These products cover applications from OSHA-compliant safety signage to custom facility wayfinding systems, available in multiple materials to suit indoor, outdoor, and harsh environment installations.
Lockout/Tagout Solutions: Brady is recognized as a prominent supplier of LOTO products designed to help organizations comply with OSHA regulations governing the control of hazardous energy during equipment servicing and maintenance. The product line includes safety padlocks with unique keying systems, lockout hasps and devices for electrical, valve, and mechanical applications, lockout kits customized for specific equipment types, and on-demand printing systems for creating procedure-specific lockout tags and labels.
Software and Digital Solutions: Brady has developed software platforms that integrate with its hardware products to streamline identification and safety processes. Brady Workstation software enables users to design and print labels with database connectivity and automated formatting. LINK360 safety management software helps organizations manage lockout/tagout programs, conduct safety inspections, and maintain compliance documentation across multiple facilities.
Industries Served
Brady serves a broad spectrum of industries with specific identification and safety requirements. In manufacturing, the company provides products for production line identification, work-in-process tracking, quality control labeling, and machine safety compliance. Electrical and utilities customers use Brady products for arc flash labeling, electrical panel identification, and facility safety signage. Construction applications include job site safety signs, equipment lockout devices, and temporary marking systems.
The healthcare sector relies on Brady's specialized products for laboratory specimen tracking, patient identification, pharmacy labeling, and medical device marking with materials that withstand sterilization processes. Aerospace and transportation customers require Brady's high-performance materials for component identification, wire and cable marking, and safety labeling that meets stringent industry specifications. Additional markets include oil and gas, chemical processing, food and beverage production, and commercial facilities management.
Global Operations and Distribution
Brady operates manufacturing facilities and sales offices in more than 30 countries, enabling the company to serve local markets while maintaining global product consistency. The company distributes products through multiple channels including direct sales teams, authorized distributors, catalog sales, and e-commerce platforms. This multi-channel approach allows Brady to serve customers ranging from small businesses ordering basic safety supplies to large multinational corporations requiring enterprise-wide identification and safety programs.
Innovation and Product Development
The company invests in research and development to advance its product technologies and address evolving workplace safety regulations and customer needs. Brady develops new adhesive formulations that perform in extreme conditions, improves printing technologies for faster throughput and higher resolution output, creates mobile applications and cloud-based tools that integrate with its physical products, and expands its product portfolio through both organic development and strategic acquisitions of complementary businesses.
Regulatory Compliance and Standards
Many Brady products help organizations comply with workplace safety and identification regulations. The company designs its lockout/tagout products to align with OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.147 governing the control of hazardous energy. Safety signs and labels meet ANSI and ISO standards for format, color, and symbols. Brady also produces products that support compliance with industry-specific regulations in healthcare, food safety, chemical handling, and other regulated sectors.
Competitive Position
Brady competes in the industrial identification and workplace safety markets through its broad product portfolio, global distribution network, and reputation for product durability and reliability. The company differentiates itself through integrated hardware, software, and service offerings that address complete identification and safety workflows rather than individual product sales. Long-standing relationships with industrial distributors and direct customers provide recurring revenue opportunities through consumable products like labels, tags, and signs that require regular replenishment.