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Firefighters cling proudly to their traditions. Selling newly
designed, even state-of-the-art, fire helmets, can be difficult
if your customers are deeply attached to the same style of helmet
that their great-grandfathers once wore.
Many firefighters have loved and stayed loyal to the traditional-looking
CairnsHELMETS-brand fire helmets and their manufacturer for 164
years, despite the efforts of a number of other manufacturers,
including MSA.
MSA discontinued selling fire helmets a few years ago, but naturally,
we have regretted having a "hole" in an otherwise increasingly
stalwart line of personal protection for firefighters.
Now, we are pleased to announce that MSA has acquired the CairnsHelmets
division of Cairns & Brother, Inc., which has dominated the fire
helmet market for decades.
"The fire service is our largest market and has been a priority
for many years," said John T. Ryan III, MSA chairman and CEO.
"And firefighters already rely on MSA for self-contained breathing
apparatus (SCBA), thermal imaging cameras, PASS devices, and portable
gas detection instruments."
"When you see firefighters on the job, chances are they're wearing
a CairnsHELMETS fire helmet AND an MSA Air Mask," said Bill Lambert,
vice president and general manager of MSA's Safety Products Division.
Ryan continued, "With the acquisition of the leading U.S. fire
helmet manufacturer, we can expand our customer base, offer firefighters
an even wider range of products, and enhance our market strengths.
CairnsHelmets and MSA are both well-known, long-respected companies
with long-established traditions of high-quality products, product
knowledge, technology, and manufacturing expertise. We are fired
up about the future this acquisition brings us!"
MSA fully supports, respects, and values the excellent reputation
of the CairnsHELMETS brand and will continue to use the CairnsHelmets
name, products and accessories, manufacturing site, and distribution
network. Field support will increase, supported by MSA's dedicated
fire service sales team of 15 full-time personnel. Current CairnsHelmets
sales representatives will become new and vital members of this
team.
CairnsHelmets customers can continue to call their local distributor,
or call the new CairnsHelmets customer service number: 1-877-MSA-FIRE.
Customers will benefit from MSA and CairnsHelmets' combined knowledge,
technology, and manufacturing expertise. You can expect MSA to
continue to improve the overall protection and integration that
firefighters demand of their protective ensemble.
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