COMPANY NEWS
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The Fire Equipment Manufacturer’s Association Inc. (FEMA) has established a fire hose division that will enable the manufacturers of fire hose to jointly address common opportunities and concerns.
Originally established in 1932, FEMA Inc. is comprised of 22 United States and Canadian manufacturers of fire protection equipment. The Association is organized by products into four divisions: portable extinguishers, interior equipment, systems, and now fire hose. The Association’s main purpose is to work together for the advancement of fire protection.
Members of FEMA’s fire hose division are: Imperial Fire Hose Company, Miami, FL; Mercedes Textiles Ltd., Hawkesbury, Ontario, Canada; National Fire Hose Company, Compton, CA; and Wajax-Niedner Inc., Quebec, Canada.
Mr. D. H. Pepp, president of National Fire Hose, was elected chairman of the new fire hose division for 1986. Mr. Helmut Joncker of Mercedes Textiles Ltd. will act as vice-chairman.
The Du Pont Company has announced it will expand its manufacturing capacity and modernize production facilities for “Nomex” aramid fiber at its Spruance plant in Richmond, VA.
The two-year, multi-million-dollar expansion program will add about 20% to Du Pont’s capacity for “Nomex” staple—short fibers used in protective apparel, filtration, electrical and mechanical paper, and, more recently, pressboard. It will also provide advanced computer and process control systems to improve product quality.
According to Richard S. Reese, director of Du Pont’s Industrial Fibers Division, the expansion will allow Du Pont to move “Nomex” into new applications, including pressboard, which is used as electrical insulation for oil-filled transformers.
A. O. Smith Corporation recently named a new president. He is Robert J. O’Toole, who, for the past two years, has been a senior vice-president responsible for several product groups. O’Toole will report to Thomas I. Dolan, the company’s chairman and chief executive officer.
The board of directors has also named two executive vice-presidents and a senior executive vice-president.
The executive vice-presidents are Donald L. Dunaway and Rod A. LeMense. Both have been senior vice-presidents for the past two years.
David H. Stieber, who has been executive vice-president for two years, was named senior executive vice-president.
A. O. Smith, which is a major manufacturing company involved in several diverse product lines, including water heating equipment, electric motors, auto and truck structural components, and piping systems, has been without a president since January 1, 1984, when Mr. Dolan moved to the chief executive officer post.
