LION - Experts & Thought Leaders

LION, the largest family-owned manufacturer of first responder personal protective equipment (PPE) in the United States announced its acquisition through an asset purchase of the Elbeco brand. For decades, Elbeco has been a designer, manufacturer, and distributor of performance uniforms for law enforcement, EMS, firefighters, and other public safety professionals. Established in 1907 by the Lurio family, for four generations Elbeco has been driven to make exceptional products through a commitment to ongoing innovation, exceptional quality, and outstanding customer service. LION’s acquisition of the Elbeco brand will allow Lion to offer an expanded uniform product portfolio, providing greater value to customers and enhancing the readiness of first responders on a global scale. thoughtfully-designed products, exceptional customer service As part of the LION group of product offerings, Elbeco brand name will be maintained to provide timely delivery “While the obvious synergies between the companies make this partnership so exciting, we selected LION as the next custodian of Elbeco in large part because of the companies’ shared histories, values, and visions,” said David Lurio, President of Elbeco. “LION is a fourth-generation, family-owned business. In addition, their commitment to keeping the company offices in Reading was a very important factor.” LION has a proven track record of integrating and growing the businesses it acquires. As part of the LION group of product offerings, the Elbeco brand name will be maintained and Lion will continue to provide thoughtfully-designed products, timely delivery, and exceptional customer service. brand focused on first responders “This acquisition reflects LION’s long-term growth strategy and vision of ensuring the health, safety, and performance of first responders worldwide,” said LION CEO Steve Schwartz. “We greatly respect and value Elbeco’s expertise and reputation as an industry leader. We look forward to a seamless transition as we combine efforts to become a leading international brand focused on first responders.” Delivering customer values Lion’s asset purchase includes Elbeco’s headquarters in Reading, PA, headquarters, where Elbeco’s dedicated corporate sales and management team will continue to drive their day-to-day operations through a network of 400+ distributors. “With the addition of Elbeco, LION further strengthens its market presence, helping us deliver even more value for our customers and meet the unique needs of first responders,” said Mark Smith, President of LION Americas. “We’re proud to welcome Elbeco to the LION family and work together to protect those who protect us.”

LION Protects, globally renowned manufacturer of first responder personal protectiveres equipment (PPE) in the United States will host a grand opening of their newest TotalCare facility located at 735 Park North Boulevard, Suite 114, Clarkston, GA 30021 on November 8, 2019 (from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm). TotalCare fire gear maintenance TotalCare represents LION’s high-quality fire gear maintenance services, including PPE repair & retrofitting, advanced cleaning, decontamination, biohazard disinfection, and advanced PPE inspection. The event will include a presentation by official guest speaker Ron Siarnicki, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) Executive Director sharing the mission and importance of taking precautions to avoid exposure to dangerous particulates, tours explaining and showcasing the gear cleaning & maintenance equipment and processes, as well as complimentary lunch. First responders can also check out additional safety equipment, such as NFPA-certified turnout gear Mobile Fire Experience LION’s Mobile Fire Experience will also be on-hand, providing a unique opportunity for firefighters to experience the latest training technology with hands-on live fire and digital fire demonstrations. First responders can also check out additional safety equipment, such as NFPA-certified turnout gear, while at the event and visit distributor partner NAFECO’s Store Open House at 715 Park North Blvd, Suite 120, Clarkston, GA 30021. “We are very proud of our work to address the issue of cancer in the fire service by increasing the protection of first responders against carcinogens and harmful particulates, as well as increasing awareness and advocating for their safety,” said Mark Smith, president of LION Americas. “This mission is at the core of everything we do.” Firefighters’ health and safety LION Vice President for TotalCare, Jim Baker “Our newest facility, providing the highest level of proper, verified ISP [Independent Service Provider] gear cleaning & repair demonstrates not only a commitment to the safety and health of firefighters, but also to the dedicated employees performing the work. Jim adds,“ As a leader in this industry it is our duty to take the necessary steps to protect all individuals who come in contact with ‘dirty gear’ and this facility, with state-of-the-art, chemical-free, highly specialized ozone generators, as well as forward-thinking containment processing procedures delivers on LION’s commitment to mitigate risks throughout the process.” Turnout gear cleaning and maintenance The new 13,000 square foot facility expands LION’s gear cleaning and maintenance services to cover Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and South Carolina.

LION, a manufacturer of CBRN Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) suits, has achieved National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1994 Standard’s Class 1 certification for its MT94 (Multi-Threat) ensemble, offering first responders advanced protection against some of the world's worst chemical and biological threats. The LION MT94 suit series is now certified to NFPA 1994 Class 1 and Class 2 and NFPA 1992 Standards. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is the advocate for fire prevention and an authoritative source on public safety. Emergency First Responder Personnel NFPA 1994, Standard on Protective Ensembles for First Responders to Hazardous Materials Emergencies and CBRN Terrorism Incidents establishes the minimum requirements for the design, performance, testing, documentation, and certification of protective ensembles and ensemble elements for protection of emergency first responder personnel from chemicals, biological agents, and radiological particulate (CBRN) terrorism agents. LION’s Director of CBRN PPE & StationWear Diane Redden notes “Meeting the specific performance and testing requirements established by the NFPA means LION is doing all it can to safeguard first responders with proper gear, which is our #1 priority. We strive to provide fire and emergency service personnel with vital PPE for CBRN incidents- this certification lets the industry know our gear has met the consensus standard of the ‘most protective’.”