Akron Brass FIRE HOSES

The acquisition of Akron Brass creates a $330 million premier fire and rescue platform for the global firefighting industry IDEX CORPORATION announced recently that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Akron Brass Holding Corp. (the “Company”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Premier Farnell plc (“Premier Farnell”), and a global leader in the manufacturing of safety equipment and emergency response equipment, for a cash consideration of $224.2 million, subject to customary adjustments. Operating under the Akron Brass and Weldon brand names, the Company produces a large array of engineered life-safety products for the safety and emergency response markets, including apparatus valves, monitors, nozzles, specialty lighting, electronic vehicle-control systems and firefighting hand tools. IDEX fire and safety business expansion Located in Wooster, Ohio, Akron Brass had revenues of approximately $120 million for the trailing twelve months ended December 31, 2015 and will operate within the IDEX Fire and Safety/Diversified Products segment. The transaction is conditioned upon the approval of Premier Farnell’s shareholders, and is expected to close in approximately 60 days, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Commenting on the transaction, IDEX Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Andy Silvernail stated, “We are pleased to announce the Akron Brass transaction, and look forward to welcoming them to the IDEX family. Akron Brass’ world-class brands and presence as a premier manufacturer of firefighting equipment are an excellent strategic fit within our existing Fire Suppression platform. This combination is a high value-creation opportunity and will expand our leading business in an end market that we are very familiar with. “Over the past 12 months, we have enhanced our focus on finding new adjacencies in our Fire & Safety / Diversified segment, and uncovered some excellent opportunities that have similar attributes to our existing businesses where our operational abilities can be leveraged, and Akron Brass meets these criteria. The acquisition of Akron Brass creates a $330 million premier fire and rescue platform serving the global firefighting industry.”

The Apollo PE electric monitor utilizes an on-board microprocessor based control system  Akron Brass introduces a new Portable Electric monitor (water cannon) designed and tested for superior firefighting, exposure control and Haz-Mat mitigation.  The Apollo PE, Style 3419, is the only portable electric monitor on the market that features a quick-change battery system. The Apollo PE combines high flow 1250 gpm (4800 lpm) capabilities with a self-contained battery and electronic control system. When the primary battery module is depleted, it can be removed within seconds and replaced with a fully charged battery module extending your run time. The battery modules have an LED state of charge gauge to check their status at a glance.  The battery module is capable of running the monitor for three hours while at maximum flow and in continuous oscillation mode.  When mounted on the truck, the Apollo PE can be connected to the apparatus power to maintain the battery at maximum capacity. The Apollo PE utilizes a new on-board microprocessor based control system with built-in wireless capability to allow operation from a safe distance.  Akron’s standard wireless handheld control along with a variety of Akron Brass CAN based “plug and play” control devices, such as joysticks and toggle switch operator stations, can be used to operate the monitor giving you multiple control options .  The Apollo PE can be programmed to oscillate anywhere within its horizontal range and the oscillation range can be adjusted while the monitor is oscillating. The Apollo PE maintains the industry leading range of motion from the classic Apollo monitor allowing 180 degrees of horizontal motion while in portable mode and 355 degrees when mounted on the apparatus.  The Style 3419 also uses the same ground bases as Akron’s current Apollo monitor making it an easy upgrade to your existing equipment.  As technology changes, the monitor’s software can be upgraded by utilizing the convenient USB port for quick feature updates. The Apollo PE can be used with Akron’s standard 5177 Akromatic 1250 nozzle, 1577 SaberMaster nozzle, or a variety of deluge and stack tip sets.  Please visit www.akronbrass.com/3419-apollo-pe-monitor for more product information.

Akron to feature severe-duty water cannons for fire fighting, dust suppression and cleaning machines Akron Brass, a manufacturer of high performance fire fighting equipment, will showcase its latest water cannons in a “dynamic” display on Stand 7119 during the 2012 Queensland Mining and Engineering (QME) Exhibition at the Mackay Showground from July 24-26. The range of manual, joystick-controlled and PLC-controlled robotic water cannons and firefighting nozzles is said to offer major time and cost savings. A series of Severe-Duty Water Cannons for fire fighting, dust suppression or cleaning machines and with either electric or hydraulic operations will headline the display. Akron Brass’s 3491 12v or 24v electric Severe-Duty Water Cannon and its 3492 hydraulic model have stainless steel waterways and are available with fog/jet styles nozzles. A PLC/robotic-controlled Severe-Duty Water Cannon system, for automatically washing down mining equipment or use in processing facilities will also be highlighted at the QME exhibition. The system can be programmed to a desired sweep pattern to clean specific areas. According to Nick Foran, Sales Development Manager, this system “can deliver significant labor cost savings, can eliminate haul trucks from your mining fleet, save water, can be operated from an office or control room and will save millions of dollars over the life of a project”. For example, he said, the system could wash a large haul truck in about 15 minutes, as opposed to one to two hours. “This means the trucks aren't out of operation for as long, reducing the need for more trucks in a fleet while others are being washed,” said Foran. Another highlight of the Akron Brass display will be the 3524 Omega Water Cannon, purpose built for use on watercarts and in heavy vehicle washdown and processing facilities. “This system does not require external greasing of swivel joints as they are fully sealed and protected from mine water,” Foran said. Akron Brass water cannons can be used by: Watercarts for dust suppression, fire fighting and cleaning Heavy vehicle washdown facilities for cleaning machines Processing facilities for moving waste or product spillage to sumps Emergency response vehicles.