WiM Kentucky | See Where Safety is Made: Bullard Plant Tour

Join WiM Kentucky for

See Where Safety is Made: Bullard Plant Tour

Date:
Thursday, July 9, 2026

Time:
12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET

Location:
Bullard
1898 Safety Way
Cynthiana, KY 41031

Cost to Attend:
WiM Members = $15
Nonmembers = $25

Attendees will enjoy an engaging afternoon at the Cynthiana, Kentucky manufacturing facility of Bullard, a fifth-generation, family-owned company that has been a global leader in personal protective equipment since 1898. Bullard is the original inventor of the industrial hard hat and today manufactures a wide range of safety solutions including head and face protection, thermal imaging cameras for firefighters, and powered-air respiratory protection used in healthcare and pharmaceutical settings.

The event will begin with lunch, open registration, and informal networking, giving attendees the opportunity to connect with fellow women in manufacturing from across the region before the program begins. WiM Kentucky chapter leaders will open with a welcome and introductions, followed by a presentation from the Bullard team on the company's rich history, its commitment to innovation in safety technology, and how it champions women within its workforce and the broader manufacturing industry.

The highlight of the afternoon will be a guided plant tour through Bullard's production facility, where attendees will see firsthand how world-class safety equipment is designed and built in Kentucky. Following the tour, the group will gather for an open Q&A session with Bullard team members, giving attendees a chance to ask questions and engage directly with manufacturing professionals. 

Attendees can expect to walk away with a deeper appreciation for Kentucky's manufacturing heritage, inspiration from Bullard's century-long mission of protecting workers' lives, and meaningful new connections with a community of women who share their passion for the industry.

About Bullard

Bullard is a fifth-generation, family-owned company founded in 1898 and headquartered in Cynthiana, Kentucky. With roots tracing back to the California gold rush era, Bullard has grown into a globally recognized leader in personal protective equipment, driven by a singular mission: advancing human safety to enable long, healthy, productive lives.

Bullard's place in manufacturing history was cemented in 1919, when Edward Wheatley Bullard invented the first industrial hard hat, forever changing the standard for worker protection. More than 125 years later, that spirit of innovation continues at the Cynthiana facility, where Bullard designs and manufactures an extensive line of safety solutions including industrial head and face protection, fire and rescue helmets, thermal imaging cameras for firefighters, and powered-air respiratory protection for healthcare, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications.

Today, Bullard employs approximately 300 people globally and operates manufacturing headquarters in Cynthiana, a research and development center in Lexington, Kentucky, and international subsidiaries in Germany and Singapore. Their products are trusted by firefighters, ironworkers, healthcare workers, utility professionals, and countless others who depend on reliable protection every day.
Bullard's connection to the WiM community runs deep. Wells Bullard, President and CEO and fifth-generation leader of the company, was featured as the milestone 50th guest on WiM's Hear Her Story podcast, hosted by WiM Founder and President Allison Grealis. That conversation explored Wells' leadership journey, her philosophy on building products that genuinely serve the people doing the toughest jobs, and the impact Bullard continues to make across the manufacturing world. [Listen here: https://tinyurl.com/6udu6h68]

The Cynthiana facility sits at the heart of Bullard's story and serves as a testament to what American manufacturing excellence looks like when guided by legacy, purpose, and a deep commitment to the people who build and wear their products.

We can't wait to see you there!