Attached files
file | filename |
---|---|
8-K - FORM 8-K - MSA Safety Inc | d593935d8k.htm |
EX-99.1 - EX-99.1 - MSA Safety Inc | d593935dex991.htm |
Exhibit 99.2
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
FROM: | MSA (Mine Safety Appliances Company) |
Ticker: MSA (NYSE)
Contact: Mark Deasy (724) 741-8570
Joseph Bigler to Lead New Customer Focus Function at MSA
Nish Vartanian Named Successor to Lead MSA North America
PITTSBURGH, September 4, 2013 MSA (NYSE: MSA) of Pittsburgh, Pa., the global leader in safety products and systems that protect people and facility infrastructures, today announced two executive leadership changes that provide the company with a heightened global focus on driving customer loyalty while ensuring continuity of experienced leadership for the companys North American business segment.
Joseph Bigler, formerly President of MSAs North American business segment, has been appointed to the newly created role of Vice President and Chief Customer Officer. Concurrent with this leadership change, the Board of Directors of MSA has elected Nish Vartanian to the position of President, MSA North America. Mr. Vartanian most recently served as Vice President for the companys Fixed Gas and Flame Detection (FGFD) business.
In his new role with the company, Mr. Bigler will be responsible for leading the global development and implementation of a customer experience framework that identifies and improves a broad range of critical customer touch points, explained William M. Lambert, MSA President and CEO.
(more)
www.MSAsafety.com
- 2 - |
For nearly 100 years, MSAs mission to help keep customers protected from harm in the workplace has been the foundation of our culture and a mindset that exists among MSA associates around the world, Mr. Lambert said. Now the time has come for us to further define and leverage this focus in a way the helps us accelerate growth and increase shareholder value. That is the effort Im looking to Joe to lead; to serve as a change agent responsible for deepening the organizations understanding of the customer journey and the role each of us play in improving the overall customer experience.
Mr. Bigler was elected President of MSA North America in 2007. He joined MSA in 1971 and, over his long tenure with the company, served in a variety of capacities including Product Line Manager for Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus, Nuclear Industry Specialist, Regional Sales Manager, National Sales Manager and Vice President, North America Sales. Most recently, Mr. Bigler championed customer loyalty efforts in North America, establishing a best practice blueprint and key metrics for the organization. He will now be responsible for expanding and enhancing these best practices on a global scale.
In being elected the new President of MSA North America, Mr. Vartanian returns to a part of the MSA organization with which he is very familiar. Over his 28 years with the company, Mr. Vartanian has served in various roles of increasing responsibility within MSAs North America segment. He joined the company in 1985 as a sales representative in Atlanta, Ga., and was later promoted to U.S. National Sales Manager. In 2005, Mr. Vartanian was named Director of North America Commercial Sales and Distribution.
(more)
www.MSAsafety.com
- 3 - |
In 2010, Mr. Vartanian played the lead role in guiding the integration of MSAs acquisition of California-based General Monitors. In 2011, he was appointed to MSAs Executive leadership Team and, in 2012, was elected Vice President of MSAs Fixed Gas and Flame Detection business.
Over the course of the last three years, Nishs leadership has led to tremendous success for our Fixed Gas and Flame Detection (FGFD) business, and I couldnt be more optimistic about the opportunities that await us in this market, Mr. Lambert said. This experience, combined with Nishs strong knowledge of our North American market gained from nearly 30 years of MSA sales experience make him very well prepared to take on this new role. In Nish we have a very capable, experienced and highly respected leader, and I am confident in his ability to lead our North American organization to new and greater levels of success.
About MSA
Established in 1914, MSA is the global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of safety products that protect people and facility infrastructures. Many MSA products integrate a combination of electronics, mechanical systems and advanced materials to protect users against hazardous or life-threatening situations. The companys comprehensive line of products is used by workers around the world in a broad range of industries, including the fire service, the oil, gas and petrochemical industry, construction, mining and utilities, as well as the military. Principal products include self-contained breathing apparatus, fixed gas and flame detection systems, handheld gas detection instruments, head protection products, fall protection devices and thermal imaging cameras. The company also provides a broad range of consumer and contractor safety products through a joint venture with MCR Safety. These products are marketed and sold under the Safety Works® brand. MSA, based north of Pittsburgh in Cranberry Township, Pa., has annual sales of approximately $1.2 billion, manufacturing operations in the United States, Europe, Asia and Latin America, and 42 international locations. Additional information is available on the companys Web site at www.MSAsafety.com. Information on Safety Works products can be found at www.SafetyWorks.com.
# # #
www.MSAsafety.com