Industry News 5/13

GLOBE, DUPONT and the NATIONAL VOLUNTEER FIRE COUNCIL (NVFC) have teamed up once again to provide new gear to volunteer fire departments in need. The application period is now open for eligible departments to apply for up to four sets of gear. Up to 52 sets will be given away in 2013.

“We received over 2,600 applications for the gear in 2012, demonstrating the great need for this type of program,” said NVFC Executive Director Heather Schafer. “Volunteer departments across the country are facing limited or shrinking budgets and are struggling to provide their personnel with safe, compliant gear. Many are forced to make do with inadequate gear that puts their responders in danger. Globe and DuPont are great examples of companies giving back to their constituents and making a difference in our communities. We are proud to continue partnering with Globe and DuPont to implement this much-needed gear donation program.”

To be eligible to apply for a gear donation, departments must be all-volunteer, serve a population of 25,000 or less, be located in the U.S. or Canada and legally organized under state law and must be a department or individual member of the NVFC. Find full program criteria and apply at www.nvfc.org/globe-gear-donation. Applications are due June 30, 2013.

KME has been awarded a contract from the City of Los Angeles, CA, Fire Department for 11 custom pumpers. The award is part of a multi-year contract with options for future apparatus purchases. The pumpers will be built on KME’s Predator Severe Service chassis, designed for high-volume fleets, and will be similar to units delivered to the city in 2011. Features include a 450-hp engine, 1,750-gpm pump, 500-gallon water tank, 30-gallon foam tank and Class A foam system. The body is custom designed for the LAFD to carry the ladders at a low enclosed height, enclosed suction hose storage and compartmentation in the hosebed area designed for specialized equipment.

PELICAN PRODUCTS INC. has named Dave Becker vice president/sales of the Consumer Electronics division. Becker’s experience includes sales management, consulting and executive positions with consumer electronics and technology companies including Bexy Corp., Ergotron, CDM Consulting, MicroTek Lab Inc. and Ingram Micro. Most recently, he was XPAL Power’s executive vice president of sales and marketing for North America, Mexico and Latin America.

“As we continue to introduce consumer focused products, Dave’s extensive know-how and contacts will be invaluable as our new consumer customers look to interact directly with Pelican and we look forward working with him to establish long lasting relationships within this business sector,” said Stephan Corti, senior vice president of worldwide sales.

Becker holds a bachelor of arts degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

PIERCE MANUFACTURING has joined New Jersey’s first state-sponsored cooperative purchasing program for fire and emergency apparatus. The program enables fire departments to buy Pierce vehicles quickly and easily through its local dealer, FIRE & SAFETY SERVICES LTD. Pierce’s contract (A83457) runs through January 2018.

“By providing fire departments with a broad selection of vehicle choices from multiple manufacturers, this New Jersey state contract enables precisely what was intended,” said Bobby Williams, vice president of sales and marketing. “We are confident that fire departments, after close evaluation, will see the many advantages Pierce offers in terms of quality, performance, long-term value and low cost of ownership.”

The program is an organized state effort to obtain pricing and contract process efficiency benefits for municipal fire departments.

“We’re excited to participate in the program, and we applaud the state for quickly putting it in place – especially in light of the severe damage caused by Hurricane Sandy to fire apparatus across the state,” said David Russell, president of Fire and Safety Services. “In addition, our team of 14 salespeople – all current or former firefighters – understands that fire departments need vehicles and after-the-sale support they can count on for the long term.”

Pierce has developed a comprehensive list of vehicles – including pumpers, rescues, tankers, aerials and wildland trucks – that can be ordered through the program. Fire and Safety Services has posted component lists for all available vehicles at www.f-ss.com.

WATERWAY INC., a fire hose and ground ladder testing company, has welcomed Bob Cowan and Jim Ford as its newest northern New Jersey franchisees.

Cowan, who holds a bachelor of science degree from Jersey State College, recently retired as a battalion chief in the Elizabeth Fire Department, where he served 31 years. His last assignment was as head of the Training Division. Ford who, until recently ran his own inspection company, Amspec LLC, has 35 years of experience in industrial testing.

The addition brings the number of Waterway franchisees to 18, distributed throughout the Eastern Seaboard, the Midwest, Texas, Florida and New Mexico.

INVISTA has acquired Ashburn Hill Corp., associated intellectual property (including the TECGEN brands) and a manufacturing operation in Texas.

“INVISTA has an aggressive growth strategy that includes identifying new business opportunities to allow us to continue building a product portfolio that delivers value to customers,” said Jeff Brown, executive vice president, INVISTA Performance Materials. “The TECGEN flame-resistant brands have quickly gained trust in the marketplace, and by coupling that expertise with INVISTA’s existing global workwear capabilities, we have high expectations for the specialized garment segment.”

The acquisition includes two flame-resistant brands: TECGEN Select clothing developed for manufacturing, transportation, mining, oil and gas, and energy utility operations; and TECGEN Xtreme, NFPA/UL-certified, lightweight apparel that repels moisture and designed for firefighters for wildland and technical rescue applications. The brands will fall under INVISTA’s existing Performance Materials business segment, which includes the CORDURA fabric brand.

R•O•M CORP. has hired Don Fishel as vice president of sales and marketing. Fishel has more than 20 years of experience in manufacturing and industry. Most recently, he was the senior director of sales and marketing strategy for Commercial Vehicle Group Inc.

“Don has a proven track record of driving change and growth. He understands the results we’re looking for and has a great vision of how we can take R•O•M to the next level,” CEO Jeff Hupke said. “His well-rounded background in sales, engineering and marketing are a great fit for ROM and will help us continue to drive year-over-year growth during difficult economic times.”