MSA Secures $36 Million Air Force Contract for New Firefighting Respiratory Protection System
Share:
PITTSBURGH, Feb. 2 -- MSA (NYSE:MSA) announced today that it has secured a five-year $36 million indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract from the U.S. Air Force to develop and supply a new and versatile respiratory protection system for use by air base firefighting squads. The initial award, representing $5.6 million over 12 months, covers design, prototype development, testing and attaining product certifications from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Company officials noted that 2006 revenue from the contract will likely be a small portion of the initial award based on the anticipated timeframe to complete the above development activities.
The multi-function breathing apparatus is one of the most advanced respiratory protection systems ever developed. Unique in design, it combines the advanced and high-performance features of MSA's latest generation self- contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) with those of a powered air-purifying respirator and gas mask to provide firefighters with a three-way, long- duration respiratory protection solution. Pending NIOSH and NFPA certifications, the system will also provide Air Force personnel with approved protection from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) contaminants.
"This award represents a new phase of military business for MSA," said Bill Lambert, President, MSA North America. "Our company has a long history of providing the military with a wide range of sophisticated safety products, most notably gas masks and ballistic helmets. This contract award, however, is reflective of the innovation we've achieved in the area of self-contained breathing apparatus for the fire service. Our expertise in engineering and materials science, combined with our leadership in developing CBRN-approved respiratory protective devices for emergency responders, were all key factors in helping us secure this latest award. We're grateful to the Air Force for giving us the opportunity to demonstrate and expand our expertise in this area."
MSA has a proven track record in developing respiratory protection products designed for CBRN protection. Mr. Lambert noted the company was the first manufacturer to secure CBRN approval in three different respirator categories. Earlier CBRN-approved respirators include the company's Millennium® Gas Mask, the Ultra Elite® CBRN Gas Mask, the FireHawk(TM) CBRN NFPA 2002 Air Mask for the fire service and, most recently, the hood-type Safe Escape(TM) Respirator.
Development work for the new respirator system will be performed at MSA's Cranberry Township, Pa. facility, while production work will take place at the company's Murrysville, Pa. plant.
Established in 1914, MSA is a global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of sophisticated safety products that protect people's health and safety. Sophisticated safety products typically integrate any combination of electronics, mechanical systems and advanced materials to protect users against hazardous or life-threatening situations. The company's comprehensive line of products is used by workers around the world in the fire service, homeland security, construction and other industries, as well as the military. Principal products include self-contained breathing apparatus, gas masks, gas detection instruments, head protection, respirators and thermal imaging cameras. Since the company's founding, MSA products for the military have been used in two world wars, as well as Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, Afghanistan and Iraq. The company also provides a broad range of consumer and contractor safety products through retail channels. These products are marketed and sold under the MSA Safety Works brand. MSA has annual sales of more than $850 million, manufacturing operations throughout the United States and Europe, and more than 30 international locations. Additional information is available on the company's Web site at www.msanet.com.
Source: MSA
CONTACT: Mark Deasy of MSA, +1-412-967-3357
Web site: www.msanet.com/
