Lakeland Advances Growth Strategy Through California PPE Expansion

Rhea-AI Summary

Lakeland (NASDAQ: LAKE) announced that its subsidiary California PPE Recon executed a lease for a new 8,000 square-foot facility on a half-acre site in Fresno, California, announced Nov. 19, 2025. The site will expand decontamination, inspection and repair services, rental gear logistics, and training capacity for the California firefighting market and adjacent public safety customers.

The facility aims to shorten turnaround times, enable additional shifts and new service modalities, and support Lakeland's strategy to build a recurring revenue U.S. service platform.

Positive

• 8,000 sq ft facility leased in Fresno to expand operations
• Half-acre site enables equipment staging and vehicle access

Negative

• None.

Insights

Service Platform Strategist

Lakeland expands U.S. service capacity with an 8,000 sq ft Fresno facility to scale decontamination, inspection, repair and rental services.

By leasing an 8,000 square-foot site in Fresno, CA, Lakeland increases operational capacity for decontamination, inspection, repair, rental logistics and training. The site’s half-acre layout supports equipment staging and vehicle access, which should enable higher throughput, additional shifts and faster turnaround times for Southern California fire-service customers.

The move aligns with the company’s stated goal to build a recurring revenue service platform and to introduce rental gear programs, training, consulting for NFPA 1850 care standards, and onsite inspection deployments over the coming quarters. Watch execution milestones: service rollout timing, measured improvements in turnaround times and uptake of rental and training offerings within the next few quarters, as these will determine whether capacity translates into recurring revenue growth.

New 8,000 Square-Foot Facility in Fresno, California to Enable Enhanced Services and Position Business for Future Offerings

HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Nov. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lakeland Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: LAKE) (“Lakeland” or the “Company”), a leading global manufacturer of protective clothing for industry, healthcare, and first responders, today announced the next phase of its strategic expansion via its recently acquired subsidiary, California PPE Recon, Inc. (“California PPE”). With the lease of a new 8,000 square-foot facility on a half-acre parcel in Fresno, CA, California PPE is positioned to significantly expand its service footprint, strengthen operational capacity, and introduce additional service offerings to support its growing customer base in the California firefighting market and beyond.

Facility Expansion to Support Growth

California PPE has executed a lease for a newly-secured 8,000 square-foot facility strategically located in Fresno, CA and sized to accommodate its expanding operations. This expanded footprint will enable greater throughput of decontamination, inspection and repair services, rental gear logistics, and increased training capacity for fire service clients. The half-acre site allows for ancillary support space, equipment staging and vehicle access, positioning the business to scale efficiently as demand grows.

The upgraded facility ensures California PPE will more effectively serve its existing Southern California fire department customers while enabling Lakeland to leverage this platform to extend services into additional public safety markets. The expanded operations will support faster turnaround times, improved workflows, potential additional shifts, and the opportunity to offer new service modalities over the coming quarters.

Strategic Rationale

• The new facility supports Lakeland’s broader strategy of building a recurring revenue service platform in the U.S., complementing its global manufacturing business.
• By enhancing capacity and infrastructure, California PPE can accelerate growth, deepen customer relationships, and increase the value proposition of Lakeland’s fire service ecosystem.
• Future services under consideration include expanded rental gear programs, training, and consulting for NFPA 1850 care and maintenance standards, and onsite inspection deployments, each of which aligns with Lakeland’s service-oriented growth objectives.
  

CEO Commentary

“Expanding California PPE’s footprint with this new 8,000-square-foot facility is a major milestone for our U.S. service platform,” said Jim Jenkins, President, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman of Lakeland. “This investment underscores our confidence in the long-term growth of the decontamination, inspection, repair and rental market for fire service PPE. With enhanced infrastructure and operational scale in place, we are well positioned to meet growing demand, deliver elevated service levels to our customers, and unlock new service capabilities that will deepen our recurring revenue streams and strengthen Lakeland’s overall growth trajectory.”

About Lakeland

Lakeland Industries (NASDAQ: LAKE) is a global manufacturer and provider of industrial protective clothing, first-responder gear and comprehensive safety solutions. The Company distributes to a broad set of end-users worldwide—including industrial, construction, cleanroom, pharmaceutical, government and fire/rescue markets—and through its expanding service platform in North America is broadening its value-added offerings in decontamination, inspection, repair and rental of PPE. For more information, please visit www.lakeland.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding the timing, location and benefits of the lease and new facility, expansion of services, future growth of California PPE and its integration with Lakeland’s service platform, and the anticipated contribution of these operations to Lakeland’s recurring revenue and profitability. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such statements because of various factors, including without limitation the ability to successfully install and activate new operational capacity, allocate resources to scale services, achieve projected customer expansion, and realize synergies as expected. Lakeland undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Contacts
Lakeland Fire + Safety
256-600-1390
Roger Shannon
Chief Financial Officer
rdshannon@lakeland.com

Investor Relations
Chris Tyson
Executive Vice President
MZ Group - MZ North America
949-491-8235
LAKE@mzgroup.us
www.mzgroup.us

FAQ

What did Lakeland (LAKE) announce on Nov. 19, 2025 about California PPE?

Lakeland said its subsidiary California PPE leased a new 8,000 square-foot facility in Fresno, CA to expand decontamination, inspection, repair, rental logistics and training services.

How will the new Fresno facility affect LAKE's service capacity?

The facility is sized to increase throughput, support potential additional shifts, and shorten turnaround times for fire service PPE.

Which markets will LAKE target with the California PPE Fresno facility?

The company will serve existing Southern California fire department customers and extend services into additional public safety markets.

Does the Nov. 19, 2025 announcement state new services LAKE may offer through California PPE?

Yes; Lakeland identified potential expanded rental gear programs, training and consulting on NFPA 1850 care standards, and onsite inspection deployments.

Is the Fresno facility expected to contribute to Lakeland's recurring revenue strategy?

Yes; Lakeland said the expansion supports its broader strategy to build a recurring revenue service platform in the U.S.