Bacou-Dalloz Announces Multi-Million Dollar Expansion Plans for U.S. Fall Protection Manufacturing Facility

Expansion will maximize production efficiencies and improve response to customers needs.

August 2, 2004, Franklin, PA — Bacou-Dalloz, the world leader in design, manufacturing and sale of personal protective equipment, announces a multi-million dollar expansion of its Miller brand fall protection manufacturing plant in Franklin, PA. The announcement and plans were outlined by Joseph Reimer, Senior Vice President Fall Protection for the company.

The groundbreaking is scheduled to begin before the end of the year, and the expansion will provide up to 50,000 sq. ft. of additional space for offices, a state-of-the-art training facility and an innovative technology & testing center. A number of new jobs are expected to be created over the next several years. In addition, a new building faade and upgrades are being planned to the existing facility. The expansion will also enable the company to consolidate its U.S. warehouse operations into one location. Completion of the project is expected within 12-18 months.

The Franklin site has been designated the fall protection Center of Operational Excellence in the Americas, complementing the companys global manufacturing network in Hof, Germany; Vierzon, France; and Melbourne, Australia. In 1945, Robert Miller founded Miller Equipment, and the company has been long considered as the pioneer and innovator of quality Miller brand fall protection products and services. The company holds several patents for a variety of unique products including the DuraFlex stretchable webbing and Miller 5K locking snap hook.

In addition to the Franklin expansion, plans are being implemented to reorganize manufacturing and warehousing operations at the companys facility in Trenton, Ontario, Canada. With a focus on maintaining high service levels to the Canadian market, the building will also undergo improvements, including shipping/receiving and redefining production efficiencies.

The Bacou-Dalloz Group is the world leader in the design, manufacturing and sale of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE). The company employs about 6,300 people and operates 43 production facilities. Bacou-Dalloz provides unmatched head-to-toe protection through two strategic business segments: head protection (eye, hearing and respiratory) and body protection (gloves, clothes, shoes and fall protection). Bacou-Dalloz offers a full product range aimed at the manufacturing, construction, telecommunications, medical, public services and other sectors. Its products are available from its distributor partners worldwide.