International Safety Instruments Receives Global Excellence in Technology
Innovation Award for Respiratory Protection Products
FORT MYERS, Fla., Apr 20, 2005 - Frost & Sullivan will present
International Safety Instruments (ISI) with the 2005 Global Excellence in
Technology Innovation Award at tonight's Best Practices Awards Banquet. The
Award is in recognition of ISI's consistency in introducing cutting-edge
designs and technologies within the personal protective equipment (PPE)
segment of the environmental health and safety (EH&S) industry.
Every year, Frost & Sullivan presents this Award to the company that has
demonstrated technological superiority within its industry. It acknowledges
the ability of the company to successfully develop and introduce new
technology, formulate a well-designed product family, and make significant
product performance contributions to the industry.
"Since its introduction of ELSA, the first National Institute For
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-approved, refillable escape unit in
1980, ISI has gone forward to distinguish itself with the inception,
development, and launch of a variety of technological innovations within the
respiratory protection product field," say Frost & Sullivan Research
Analysts Tom Wood, Jr. and Pavithra Atul Sarma.
For instance, the Ranger Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA),
introduced in 1982, was the first National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)-approved
SCBA with a compliant, one-stage regulator consisting of only five parts.
Competitors' products typically consisted of two or three stage regulators
with upwards of 75 parts. Then came the Magnum SCBA (1989) -- the first NFPA
approved SCBA with a compliant, two-stage regulator.
ISI's VISION line of thermal imaging cameras, introduced in 1997, was the
first to utilize the Barium Strontium Titanate (BST) thermal sensor, now
used extensively by the fire services market. In 1995, ISI introduced the
HDV Offshore Express, the first rescue unit for offshore rigs that contains
a hood with a protection factor similar to that of an SCBA.
The VIKING SCBA, introduced in 1999, was the first NFPA approved SCBA to
incorporate a heads-up display (HUD), digital console, and Voice Activation
System (VAS) into a single electronic system utilizing a sole battery pack
for all components.
However, it is ISI's current technological innovation, the Telemetry
Electronic Air Management (TEAM) system, which is exciting the market. When
available by the end of this year, this personal alert safety system (PASS)
device will provide enhanced tracking, identification, and monitoring of
firefighters' exposure levels and physical status during the course of their
firefighting activities.
"Being a small company has enabled ISI to respond to the needs of various
industries faster than many of its larger competitors," note Wood and Sarma.
"Prototypes are often available within a matter of days rather than months
or years, and as a result, many new products are continually looming on the
horizon."
ISI is continually attuned to the needs of its customers by means of a
Distributor Advisory Council (DAC) that meets once a year. In addition, the
company has just initiated an End-User Advisory Council (EUAC), 20 percent
of whose members are non-users of ISI's products. The latter group sign
confidentiality agreements to not disclose information they learn concerning
new ISI products, while providing candid and invaluable feedback in the
process. Identifying specific differences in firefighter and industry needs
from one section of the country to another is but one positive outcome from
these councils.
ISI, has over the years, demonstrated an ongoing ability to develop and
market a variety of cutting-edge, customized products for use by law
enforcement, industry, and the fire services. The company has also
demonstrated a commitment to proper, after-the-sale product implementation
and usage by offering training courses at several proficiency levels. It is
in recognition of these achievements that Frost & Sullivan is pleased to
bestow International Safety Instruments with the 2005 Global Excellence in
Technology Innovation Award.
Held in Fort Myers, Fla., the Frost & Sullivan banquet honors world-class
companies for outstanding performance and achievements in their industries.
An annual event, the banquet recognizes the quality and merit of
distinguished individuals and companies.
About International Safety Instruments
ISI was founded in 1980 in response to firefighters' demands for better
respiratory protection. Headquartered in metro Atlanta, ISI has six regional
offices in North America and more than 150 distributors throughout the
world. We offer a wide selection of high-performance, respiratory products,
including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), customized to meet the
special needs of a variety of markets, as well as a line of thermal imaging
cameras employing the most advanced features in the industry. Because of our
longstanding dedication to high quality, ISI has been ISO 9001 certified
since August of 1998.
About Frost & Sullivan
Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering
with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more
than 40 years. The company's industry expertise integrates growth
consulting, growth partnership services and corporate management training to
identify and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive
clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the
investment community, by providing comprehensive industry coverage that
reflects a unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of
markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics.
