In field tests, customers
"try" new products to see how well they perform and if the users
like them. Manufacturers use their comments to help fine-tune their
products before they are mass-produced and available on the market
for sale.
"We encouraged field testers to tell us what didn't work for them-so
we could improve the Advantage 3000 Respirator before it was on
the shelves," commented Ken Bobetich, product group manager of MSA's
air-purifying respirators. "The final result of our efforts and
theirs is the new AdvantageŽ 3000 Full-face Respirator, a better
product at a lower price. It meets industry and government standards
in many different countries, and no one else has anything like it!"
Around the world
Worldwide, MSA's affiliate companies and field sales people enabled
field testing of concepts and product prototypes, returning customers'
input through interviews, visits, and field trials throughout the
design process. Among countries contributing input were Japan, Brazil,
Canada, Germany, France, and the U.S.
 MSA
Europe's marketing manager Philippe Fitoussi linked engineering
functions between MSA's Cranberry (Pa.) R & D center and MSA's affiliate
MSA Auer in Berlin, Germany, and also represented European users.
He noted, "Europeans thought that one of the greatest achievements
was to include a high level of aesthetics (shape, color). Many users
had requested a 'different' mask from the current offerings. Also,
the Advantage harness design came from field tests, where one of
the major requests was the ease of donning and doffing for untrained
users. They wanted something simple to don and adjust (self-adjusting
if possible). That's what we did!"
Marcos Pimentel, MSA Brazil's safety products product manager, passed
along compliments from Brazilians involved in field testing. "[They
liked] the large visual field along with a nice design, weight,
and cost. For years . . . this has been a requirement from Brazilian
customers, as well as a good price. . . . Another interesting and
point worth noticing is that, according to some interviews, a lighter
color (gray) minimizes a claustrophobic effect, which a dark color,
such as black, could have on the users, [possibly] making their
job heavier and more stressed. [They also liked how well the respirator
worked] with other equipment, specifically helmets from other manufacturers."
In the U.S.
"It's a real winner! I have it in my car, and everyone who sees
it loves it!" chuckled veteran MSA sales rep Ed McLaughlin. Hanford
(Washington state) Nuclear site workers tried several dozen new
Advantage 3000 Facepieces, before it became available for sale late
in 2001.
"They loved the vision, feel, fit, the three models for flexible
use, and even the look of the Advantage 3000 Twin-Port Respirator.
They were pleased with the product and pleased we used their suggestions
to improve it."
Keith Wells' Louisiana customer wrote in their evaluation & survey
form that they found the new respirator "lightweight, comfortable,
with excellent visual capability."
Larry Peters reported that a chemical company in Pittsburgh, Pa.'s
Ohio Valley, got very involved with testing the new facepiece. "The
environmental respiratory technician did quantitative fit testing
on respirators initially and was very satisfied with the results.
He and the safety director allowed MSA to use their facility for
a month, with direct access to the participants at the end of the
beta test. Workers were impressed with the light weight, field of
view, and comfort."
Reports from other MSA sales reps:
"Ted Swanson talked of an Illinois environmental contractor with
numerous hazards who was pleased that our new facepiece will meet
the proposed ANSI standard. His workers on the job liked "the comfort,
fit, visibility, and lack of distortion."
Keith Wells' Louisiana customer wrote in their evaluation & survey
form that they found the new respirator "lightweight, comfortable,
with excellent visual capability."
Larry Peters reported that a chemical company in Pittsburgh, Pa.'s
Ohio Valley, got very involved with testing the new facepiece. "The
environmental respiratory technician did quantitative fit testing
on respirators initially and was very satisfied with the results.
He and the safety director allowed MSA to use their facility for
a month, with direct access to the participants at the end of the
beta test. Workers were impressed with the light weight, field of
view, and comfort." |
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The
Advantage 3000 Respirator in a Nutshell
|
Global
engineering team worked to satisfy more workers worldwide
Product
is lightweight, durable, comfortable, well designed, versatile,
and competitively priced
Fit:
3 facepiece sizes, 2 nose cup sizes, fits wide range of
faces, deep chin cup
Face
seal: Silicone, based on proven Ultra EliteŽ design
Lens:
Optically corrected, coated polycarbonate, 94% unimpeded
vision, exceeds ANSI Z87.10
Head
harness: New standard rubber design (or new European-designed
harness) pre-adjustable, consistently fitting, integrates
with PPE
Models:
1, 2, or 3 ports to suit any respirator type
Results:
fit, comfort, value; high performance for today's industrial
athlete; worldwide appeal/satisfaction; an MSA exclusive;
a great product at a moderate cost
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