Revision Military, a world leader in protective soldier solutions based in Essex Junction, announced Friday the purchase of MSAâ s North American ballistic helmet business. The purchase includes the acquisition of MSAâ s US-based helmet manufacturing equipment and operations located in Newport, Vermont. Over 40 jobs will be saved in Newport.
The former MSA facility, which specializes in large-scale production of aramid helmets for military and law enforcement, is a complement to Revisionâ s existing Composite Center of Excellence which outputs highly-specialized, polyethylene composite helmet shells. Having both manufacturing capabilities will enable Revision to meet current aramid helmet program requirements while also aiding customers in their quest for lighter weight, higher performance head protection solutions, the company said in a statement.
â MSA has proven itself to be a trusted helmet supplier to the US Army with the right people and the right facilities to deliver first-rate, best-value helmet shells,’said Jonathan Blanshay, CEO of Revision. â We are pleased to welcome the approximately 45 Newport-based employees to the Revision family as we expand our offering of leading-edge soldier systems equipment to military customers worldwide.â
Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont commented: â Revision Military has proven they know how to design, manufacture and deliver state-of-the-art soldier protective systems for customers across the globe. I am pleased to see a firm with such skill and experience taking over helmet production for our American soldiers and soldiers across the globe.â
Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin shared in the enthusiasm over Revisionâ s purchase of the North American helmet manufacturing facility: â This is great news for the city of Newport and the state of Vermont, adding jobs and strengthening the economy. Most importantly, Revisionâ s announcement is important for our soldiers, who depend on Revision products to keep them safe in the line of duty. We look forward to a continued strong partnership with Jonathan Blanshay and Revision Military.â
Revision has committed orders from the U.S. Army to deliver approximately 100,000 helmets over the 12 months following the acquisition. Additionally, Revision will fulfill the balance of an outstanding contract for 6,000 CG634 helmets to the Canadian DND while continuing to develop current and future helmet business with law enforcement agencies.
This acquisition, coupled with Revisionâ s extensive international experience is expected to be instrumental in meeting demands for aramid helmets on a global scale. Importantly, being able to manufacture and deliver ACH helmetsâ the platform upon which Revisionâ s Batlskinâ ¢ Modular Head Protection System is carriedâ will allow Revision to deliver completely integrated and fully modular head and face protection packages to its North American and global customers.
Separately, MSA also announced it has sold a 25-acre parcel of land in its Cranberry Woods office park for future development. Located north of Pittsburgh, Cranberry Woods is the site of MSA's global headquarters in Cranberry Township, Pa. The real estate transaction, combined with the sale of the company's North American ballistic helmet business, will generate $17 million of cash for the company and will benefit second quarter earnings with pre-tax income of approximately $8 million.
MSA entered the ballistic helmet market in 2003 following the company's 2002 acquisition of French helmet manufacturer CGF Gallet, and subsequent contract awards from the U.S. Army to produce Advanced Combat Helmets (ACH), the current standard of issue for the U.S. Army. Over the past five years MSA's product strategy has increasingly focused on its "core" safety equipment product lines where the company has strong expertise, global R&D resources and vast market presence. MSA's core product focus emphasizes industrial head protection, respiratory protective equipment, fall protection products, portable gas detection instruments and sensors, and fixed gas- and flame-detection systems.
ABOUT REVISION
Revision develops and delivers purpose-built protective equipment for military use worldwide. The company, which began with eyewear, has expanded to face and head protection and continues to develop its capabilities for integrated, performance-enhancing soldier systems. To that end, Revision brings together the most advanced expertise, state-of-the-art facilities and finest technical minds. Clients include the U.S. Department of Defense, the Canadian Department of National Defence, the Netherlands Defence Materiel Organization, the German Federal Defence Force and the UK Ministry of Defence. Privately owned and ISO 9001:2008 certified, Revisionâ s operational headquarters is located in Essex Junction, Vermont, USA, with additional offices in the Netherlands and Canada. For more information, visit www.revisionmilitary.com, write [email protected], or call +1 252-288-5805. You can also follow us on Facebook or on Twitter at RevisionPR.
Essex Junction, VT, USA(June 22, 2012) â Revision Military
Photo:A US soldier wearing an ACH helmet and Revision Sawfly Eyewearprovides security in the village of Dahanar, Wardak province, in Afghanistan. Photo courtesy US Army.