True Value Company Selects MSA Safety Works as 2005 Supplier of the Year in Power Tools and Accessories
PITTSBURGH, June 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Mine Safety Appliances Company (NYSE: MSA) announced today that its MSA Safety Works consumer products group has been named True Value Company's "Supplier of the Year" in the Power Tools and Accessories category. True Value presents the award annually to business partners in 11 major categories.
"We're very pleased with this recognition by True Value, especially knowing we were measured against some of the best known brands in the hardware and tools business," said John Quinn, product group and marketing manager for MSA Safety Works. "Receiving this award only about a year after being selected as True Value's retail safety products partner confirms we're on the right track in maintaining our productive, long-term relationship with True Value."
Since its inception in 1998, MSA Safety Works has become one of the fastest growing brands of consumer safety products. True Value began carrying the MSA Safety Works retail packaged line of products in late 2004. The products are now on the shelves of core True Value dealer locations throughout North America.
The Supplier of the Year award is given to the True Value vendor that consistently provides the highest levels of service incorporating good partnership, increased sales and timely delivery. True Value officials made special mention that shipments of safety products from their regional distribution centers to dealer stores have far exceeded their expectations. True Value also noted the success of MSA Safety Works' new dealer assortment, a display of various safety products that is shipped ready for easy store set- up.
"Our products have set a new standard of excellence in the consumer product line," said Mr. Quinn. "Our customer service, innovative product design, packaging and attention to consumer needs continue to drive sales."
MSA Safety Works products, which meet and exceed government approval standards, are categorized by protection area - respiratory, eye, hearing, head, body and first aid - to simplify selection for consumers and contractors. Packaging is re-closable for convenient product storage, and color-coded by category to speed selection. MSA Safety Works also offers creative retail merchandising tools that educate consumers while guiding them quickly to the products they need.
True Value Company is one of the world's largest member-owned wholesale hardware cooperatives. The cooperative includes approximately 6,000 independent retailer locations worldwide operating under the store identities of True Value, Grand Rental Station, Taylor Rental, Party Central, Home & Garden Showplace, Induserve Supply and Commercial Sales.
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. 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 http://www.msanet.com.
SOURCE Mine Safety Appliances Company
CONTACT: Mark Deasy of Mine Safety Appliances Company, +1-412-967-3357
