Jackson Safety
Jackson Products Inc., a privately held manufacturer and distributor of personal and traffic safety products, announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire a 70 percent stake in Changzhou Shine Science & Technology Co. Ltd. (“Shine”) of the People's Republic of China for an undisclosed amount. Based in Shanghai, Shine is a manufacturer of welding safety products. The transaction is expected to close sometime in the third quarter of this year.
“This acquisition supports our global strategy of being the preferred supplier of safety products,” said Tom Burns, Jackson president and CEO. “The acquisition of Shine will also provide us a manufacturing base in Asia and adds Shine's excellent engineering talent that will complement our own expertise in auto-darkening technology.”
Topcon
Topcon Positioning Systems (TPS), a developer and manufacturer of positioning equipment, recently named Ivan Di Federico senior vice president of global engineering. For the past 3 years Di Federico had been general manager of TSD Integrated Controls, a joint venture between Topcon and Sauer-Danfoss.
“Ivan has been successful at every single position in his professional career,” said Ray O'Connor, TPS president and CEO. “His background in technical sales, research and development, engineering and testing and global product development will be invaluable assets to Topcon.”
United Air Specialists
United Air Specialists (UAS) announced the addition of Carter Chambers LLC as a distributor for its full line of dust and mist/fume collection equipment. Carter Chambers has worked with UAS since 2004, distributing Kleentek electrostatic oil conditioning systems. The company also will be the exclusive source for UAS dust and mist/fume filtration solutions in Louisiana.
“We truly value our partnership with UAS because it allows us to offer our customers a proven technology coupled with a high level of service,” said Charles Breedlove, UAS representative at Carter Chambers.
Con-Space
Con-Space Communications Ltd., a leader in specialized voice communication products, technical search, surveillance and inspection systems, announced that Alan Jakobsen has been promoted to vice president of sales. He has held key sales positions within the company since 1997.
“Alan is a great addition to our senior management team with over 17 years of professional sales experience,” said Con-Space President Gordon Cook.
Honeywell Acquires Norcross Safety Products
New Jersey-based Honeywell recently completed its acquisition of Oak Brook, Ill.-based Norcross Safety Products LLC, a leading PPE manufacturer, for approximately $1.2 billion. Norcross will form a new line of business called Honeywell Safety Products within Honeywell Life Safety, part of Automation and Control Solutions (ACS). Norcross brands include North, KCL, Fibre-Metal, Morning Pride, Pro-Warrington, Salisbury and Servus.
“Norcross is an ideal fit for Honeywell,” said Mark Levy, president of Honeywell Life Safety. “Together, we combine rich histories of delivering safety products, services and technologies that meet customer needs, while complying with the very strict regulations that the industry demands.”
Airgas Acquires Oilind Safety
Pennsylvania-based Airgas Inc. recently acquired the assets and operations of Energy Safety Services Inc., doing business as Oilind Safety. Phoenix-based Oilind Safety, a leading provider of rental safety equipment and safety service, will operate as a stand-alone company within a new Airgas organization that includes construction and rental businesses. Jack Appolonia was promoted to vice president of construction and rental businesses. “We are very excited to join Airgas and look forward to expanding opportunities for our people and our customers,” said Kirk Peda, president of Oilind Safety.
Sperian
Sperian Hearing Protection announced the formation of a Hearing Conservation Department to act as a focal point for the company's multi-faceted initiatives in research, training and education, and to enhance its advisory role in standards regulation. Headquartered at the Howard Leight facility in San Diego, Calif., the new department is headed by Brad Witt, director of hearing conservation.
Theresa Schulz, Ph.D., a renowned audiologist and hearing conservation specialist, joined the staff as a hearing conservation manager.
Sperian also recently launched http://www.howardleightveripro.com, a special Web site for its new VeriPRO earplug field verification software. The site provides visitors with background on the program's function and development, as well as research and best practices related to VeriPRO usage.
MCR Safety, HexArmor Form Alliance
MCR Safety announced a strategic alliance with HexArmor, the maker of high-performance cut-, abrasion-, puncture-, and needle-resistant PPE. The companies will collaborate on product development, manufacturing, supply chain efficiencies and distribution. MCR will incorporate the distribution of HexArmor products into the newly created MCR Innovations Department, which is designed to develop and distribute next-generation PPE through the latest technologies and product innovations.
“HexArmor products have radically raised the standard for the highest cut-, abrasion- and puncture-resistant hand protection and they are in the process of launching a new technology platform that will bring an unprecedented level of performance to make the workplace safer,” says Mitch Lewellen, MCR Safety CEO.
Haws Corp.
Nevada-based Haws Corp. recently announced several new North American market positions and staff enhancements.
Tom White, a 15-year company veteran, was promoted to executive vice president. He will be responsible for all sales, marketing and manufacturing operations worldwide, as well as championing new business ventures.
White's former position of vice president of manufacturing has been filled by Aaron C. Cross Jr. Cross is an accomplished operations and engineering executive and will be responsible for R&D, product engineering, manufacturing and supply chain management.
Finally, Larry Knight has been added to the team in the newly created position of director of sales for the academic, healthcare and government markets. He as held various sales and sales management positions within W.W. Grainger and most recently with Thermo Fisher Scientific. Knight will focus on driving new and existing revenue growth for Hawes in the school, hospital and government markets.