The times they are a-changing.  It wasn’t so long ago that safety features didn’t sell.  Looks and sportiness held product move far more than safety.  But in the 2000s, safety seems to have moved to the forefront of product marketing.

Leatt, a maker of purpose-built safety equipment, has been selling safety for years. And, it turns out that they are becoming quite successful at it if 2019’s financial results are any indicator.

Leatt announced its full 2019 financials this month, and 2019 is the company’s most financially successful year to date.  Compared to 2018, many of Leatt’s financials posted double-digit gains.

Leatt knee braces have become more popular with motorcyclists over the years.

2019 Leatt Financial highlights

Highlights of Leatt’s 2019 results include:

• Record full year revenues of $28.3 million, up $3.9 million, or 16%, compared to 2018
• Fourth quarter revenues of $7.3 million, up 32% compared to 2018
• Net Income increased 15% to $1.4 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, compared to $1.2 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, in 2018
• Total operating expenses increased 9%, while revenues increased by 16%
• Income from operations increased 33% to $2.0 million, compared to $1.5 million in 2018
• Cash and cash equivalents increased to $2.07 million, compared to $1.71 million in 2018

Helping Leatt post its record results are several awards and commendations Leatt products received in 2019 as well.

• DBX 4.0 Helmet won Design & Innovation Award from jury of bicycle industry experts
• Leatt Neck Brace voted Number One neck brace to buy in Vital MX audience survey
• 2019 Racer X Readers’ Choice Award for Leatt neck brace as number one

Leatt’s moto helmet division did not perform financially as well as other Leatt segments.

Macdonald further delineated Leatt’s financial performance with a summary of individual product performance.

“Although neck brace revenues grew marginally, sales volume is increasing.  As for our helmet category:  Bicycle helmet sales are growing with good traction from our extreme mountain biking line.

However, motorcycle helmet sales are challenging.  It is an extremely competitive segment, but we believe that our cutting edge and technologically advanced helmets already in the market and in the pipeline can stimulate the necessary consumer demand to be successful.”

Although facing some challenges in the moto helmet segment, it’s clear that Leatt is making headway in the safety market.  But whatever the reasons, their products appear to be picking up steam.   And, in the case of Leatt, it does indeed appear that safety sells.

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