About Us

Our Story

In 1997, Hugh Hoagland founded ArcWear, as an arc flash testing service for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), fall protection and arc flash clothing. Hugh was formerly a consultant with LG&E Energy in KY and an R&D Director for NASCO Industries, Inc. developing Arc Rated PPE before founding ArcWear.

Globally, ArcWear is the most experienced company for arc flash testing, doing 90% of the world’s arc flash testing. Our reputation for accuracy and informative results is unsurpassed in the industry. Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky,  ArcWear receives more than 100 items for arc flash testing per month that are completed at our sister lab Kinectrics High Current Laboratory in Toronto, Canada.

In September 2020, ArcWear became part of the Kinectrics family of companies and ArcWear – A Kinectrics Company continues the flame, thermal, arc and other textile testing on fabrics and PPE products and now ArcWear manages the full spectrum of PPE testing at the Louisville, KY and the Toronto, ON Canada test labs.

The ArcWear team is made up of PPE and Textile professionals who each have a distinguished background in flame, thermal and electrical safety testing. With diverse qualifications in textiles, engineering, flash fire and electrical arc testing, our team is dedicated to the providing the world’s most comprehensive testing to ensure the safest work environment possible. Our professional staff works as a team in all aspects of arc flash and flash fire testing to ensure quality results from start to finish.

ArcWear received ISO 17025 Accreditation, granted by A2LA, the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation, on January 2, 2014.

At ArcWear, we believe in the importance of giving back to the community. Our staff and family members volunteer annually at various local events. Not only do we value the highest level of excellence in the services we provide, we also consider it our responsibility to make a positive impact in the communities we serve.