Industry News 3/15

SAFETY COMPONENTS has added Jamie Martin to its fire service sales and marketing team. Martin has been with the company since 2011, after graduating from Clemson University with a degree in business management. In his new position, Martin will help grow Safety Components’ fire service business, with a focus on supporting garment, distributor and end-use customers. He will also expand the wildland and FR knit business and increase overall brand awareness.

HALE PRODUCTS INC. is now offering free Class 1 electronics, along with a five-year parts and labor warranty, with the purchase of a Qtwo two-stage pump. The free electronics include a Sentry Pressure Governor and Twister throttle control. To qualify for this promotion, the pump must be purchased by June 30. For more information, call 1-800-533-3569 or visit haleproducts.com.

WATERWAY FRANCHISE, a hose-testing company, is now WATERWAY CO-OP. Started in 1989 by Firefighter Ed Okinsky in a single location, Waterway formed a nationwide franchised operation in 2008. Recently, the 14 franchisees completed purchasing the assets of the former Waterway Franchise LLC. Each Waterway Co-Op location is 100% individually owned and operated, ensuring professional, local service.

The new company will be called Waterway Co-Operative LLC, signaling the ownership by all the franchisees. For information regarding Waterway Co-Ops, contact Dante Bongiorni at 888-999-5838.

OEKO-TEX selected W. L. GORE & ASSOCIATES as the January 2015 Company of the Month for its sustainability program in the Fabrics Division. OEKO-TEX launched this campaign to recognize textile companies for their ongoing commitment to product safety and sustainable production processes. The International OEKO-TEX Association is responsible for testing textiles for harmful substances listed in the OEKO-TEX Standard 100.

Since 1996, Gore Fabrics has been working with the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification to demonstrate that its products are safe for its customers. The current award recognizes Gore as one of the first to eliminate perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from all raw materials for its fabrics products, which they completed in 2013.