By Martin Joosen, Senior Vice President/Managing Director, LION EMEA
The fire and safety industry faces ongoing challenges that demand continuous adaptation.
One of the major concerns for fire brigades is adapting to advancements that present new problems that didn’t exist before, like electric vehicles and highly secure buildings that are difficult to enter.
They need to continuously seek new technologies and updated training to help them address these issues.
From a health and safety perspective, there are risks around toxic particles in black smoke, which contribute to high cancer rates among firefighters.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is crucial for their protection, but contamination of this equipment is also a challenge.
More rules and regulations are emerging to ensure they are not exposed to harmful particles.
LION Protects is in the business of the training of firefighters, where all these challenges converge.
The real-life challenges need to be incorporated into training environments to prepare firefighters effectively. We see two developments here.
First, as specialists in building training facilities, we aim to provide them with the latest technology for training.
For example, how do you extinguish fires in electric vehicles? We are developing tools and vehicles to enable them to train on procedures specific to electric vehicles compared to traditional ones.
Second, there’s the issue of decontamination. Firefighters are not frequently exposed to real fires due to safety systems and building practices, especially in Europe.
However, in training environments, they are exposed to real fires more often.
While contamination and black smoke are dangerous, they’re not frequently encountered in real situations, but they are in training.
This is where our NFT program comes in.
By combining the three elements of fire systems – carbonaceous, gas, and digital – we can reduce exposure while still providing 100% effective training with fewer toxic particles, less environmental impact like CO₂ emissions, and better total cost of ownership.
In many industries, human beings are reaching the end of their technological involvement in certain tasks – why would we send real people into a fire when we could use robots in the future? Drones have been developed that can extinguish fires from the outside of a building.
While there are limitations, I foresee a future where firefighters are increasingly replaced – not in terms of their knowledge, but in terms of the physical human presence.
We will always have fires to contend with. We will always need firefighters to some extent, but their roles will evolve.
About the IFSJ Influencer
Martin Joosen joined LION in 2018 leading the Sales and Marketing department.
He is responsible for Europe, Asia, Middle-East and Pacific.
He studied at the Erasmus University and Nyenrode University with a master’s in management and economics.
He has more than 20 Years experience in International Business, 17 of which are in the Fire Rescue Market, and more than 5 years experience in international projects.
He is now the Senior Vice President/Managing Director, LION EMEA.
IFSJ Influencers Edition 2024
The 2024 Influencers Special Edition of International Fire and Safety Journal is a collection of some of the most influential voices across the fire and safety industry, representing a collective following of 4.2 million.
Together, they provide a comprehensive overview of the latest developments, challenges, and forward-looking insights shaping the global fire and safety sector.
Taking fire safety training beyond basic compliance
In a recent blog post dated January 26, 2024, LION, a leading provider in fire safety training, highlighted the importance of exceeding basic compliance in fire safety training.
Authored by Matt Gardner, the post emphasises the inadequacy of merely meeting the minimum standards set by OSHA or other training standards in safeguarding life and property.
Key takeaways for elevating training standards
The blog post, stemming from a group discussion among LION Team members, presents ten key strategies for organisations to elevate their fire safety training.
These strategies focus on practical application, varied learning environments, and continuous improvement in training methods.
From theory to practice: hands-on experience with LION
Matt Gardner elaborated on the first takeaway: “Implement Hands-On Training.”
He stressed the shift from theoretical knowledge to practical, hands-on experience with fire extinguishers, ensuring users can operate them instinctively in emergencies.
Continuous learning and community engagement
The blog post also emphasises the importance of incorporating real-life variables into training scenarios, conducting regular fire drills, and engaging the community in fire safety education.
Gardner stated: “It’s essential to extend training opportunities beyond the workforce and into the community, to promote widespread safety knowledge.”
Promoting discussion and feedback in training
Another significant point raised is the encouragement of feedback and discussion post-training.
This approach allows trainees to share experiences and learn from each other, fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptation to new challenges and techniques in fire safety.
IFSJ Comment
The insights shared in LION’s blog post reflect a comprehensive and proactive approach to fire extinguisher training.
These strategies go beyond mere compliance, advocating for a culture that prioritises safety and preparedness in various environments.
Such an approach, encompassing hands-on training, digital simulations, and community involvement, is essential for enhancing safety preparedness within organisations.
The emphasis on continuous education and adapting training methods to specific environments shows a commitment to evolving fire safety practices.
This proactive approach is crucial for organisations to ensure the safety and well-being of their members and the wider community.
From digital simulation to gas and carbonaceous training, Mathé Koenen unveils how LION’s NFTT is revolutionising firefighter training
Who are you, and what is your job position within LION?
I’m an electrical and mechanical engineer and also a firefighter, a role I took on in 1983, which was 40 years ago.
Over the years, I’ve had a variety of positions, including serving as the head of a fire brigade.
Following that, I worked as an assistant plant manager and then joined an international centre focusing on extrication techniques.
Additionally, I worked for Falk Fire Training, which is one of the largest fire training organisations in Europe.
We provided diverse types of fire training such as industrial, residential, urban firefighting, and structural. There, I led the training department and delivered trainings myself.
As for my role at LION, I wear several hats: I am a trouble-shooter, consultant, and trainer.
You’re here to discuss a new concept from LION, the New Fire Training Technology or NFTT. Could you tell us more about it?
Certainly. The NFTT, a term coined by our director, represents our response to the world’s increasing environmental demands.
It’s not just about environmental impact but also significantly about the health and safety of our instructors and students.
The NFTT gave birth to what we refer to as digital firefighting technology. This involves no actual heat or real smoke— we use artificial smoke—and eliminates stress.
Consequently, new students can acquire skills and knowledge effectively without the typical pressures. They can fully concentrate on the training without worrying about surrounding hazards while acclimating to new experiences like using breathing apparatus under simulated smoke and heat conditions.
It’s a significant advancement in terms of the environment and the health of firefighters in training and their instructors.
In addition to this, we specialise in gas-heated simulators. These are complementary to the digital firefighting training.
A firefighter, naturally, needs to have experience real flames, feel actual heat, and work with real breathing apparatus. Gas-simulators can do all this within a controlled setting.
With a simple push of a button, a fire is ignited and another push, it’s extinguished. The process is highly controllable and stress-free, allowing trainees to focus on refining their skills and procedures as initially learned in the digital simulation.
Before they graduate and begin their real careers, firefighters must experience real heat, smoke, stress, and master the use of breathing apparatus. This complete package of the NFTT provides valuable and efficient training.
In the past, learning to become a firefighter was a lengthy process because training mainly used wood-driven fires, which created a lot of stress and heat, making learning slower. But with the NFTT, we’re changing this.
As an experienced firefighter who has been in the field for many years and as a fire trainer, what is your honest opinion about this approach? Do you think it’s better?
It’s definitely better. I believe this combined approach of digital and gas simulations is the most comprehensive training package available.
The digital aspect alone could cater to around 75% of all training needs in firefighting. It’s beneficial not only for new firefighters but also for experienced ones.
Although some firefighters initially associate digital with children’s games and gas with cooking and yearn for “real fires,” they often overlook the negative impacts of wood-driven fires on the environment, their own health and safety, and the effectiveness of training.
We’re beginning to see a shift towards more environmentally friendly training, and we’re proud that NFTT is leading the way.
One successful element in our NFTT project is the development of an afterburner, allowing carbonaceous fire training in city centres without producing smoke.
This means the final part of the training can be performed in a realistic setting without causing significant stress to the environment.
What is the ideal blend of fire technology in a training centre?
I believe the perfect mix would be 75% digital, 15% gas, and 10% carbonaceous training.
Aren’t you concerned that the quality of training could suffer without exclusively using wood-burning methods?
To be honest, I had similar reservations when I began with digital training in 2019. I had the same misconceptions—digital was for video games, and gas was for cooking.
However, after half a year of working with these methods, I was astounded by their effectiveness.
This sequence—digital, gas, and carbonaceous—completely changed my perspective. I firmly believe this approach is the best for training, environmental impact, and health and safety.
What advice would you give for “smart” management of training facilities?
My suggestion would be to consider adopting this 75-15-10 split. It’s crucial to remember that the environment is as important as the health and safety of the students and instructors.
Moreover, this approach is more cost-effective, enabling the delivery of more trainings—a smart move financially. So, my advice is to start working within the 75-15-10 ratio.
This exclusive article was originally published in the June 2023 issue of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.
Martin Joosen, Managing Director of LION speaks about creating an effective fire training proposal for the business sector
Did you know that you only have 3 minutes to decide what to do when a fire breaks? Are you ready to react? Do you know what to do? Where do you start? Do you first call the fire department or grab the extinguisher right away?
Martin Joosen, Managing Director of LION, says it is only adequate fire training will warrant a safe outcome to these fire emergency situations. Martin joined LION in 2018 as managing director and is responsible for Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific. He has more than 20 years of experience in International Business, 17 of which are in the Fire Rescue Market.
We sat down with Martin to talk through the company’s new market approach for business and industry sectors in EMEA, focusing on healthcare, the first sector where LION is implementing this new approach.
What kind of emergency scenarios require fire safety training?
Imagine: An electrical shortcut in a patient room, a fire in the kitchen, or a leaking oxygen hose within a medical centre. Those possible fire scenarios can easily create damages, reaching millions of euros and potentially mean human loss.
Fire safety training is not only a legal requirement but also saves lives and protects businesses. Setting up the right training environment is vital.
What does LION propose with product market combination?
All-in-one package to train staff directly on their work location. No team’s transfer to other buildings or premises with LION digital technology. Essential training can now be given where they work using the right combination of products. We have created four training packages to ensure that anyone on the scene knows how to react during the crucial first minutes, deal with fires if appropriate, and escape safely in the event of a fire. Those packages are based on different scenarios that could occur in the healthcare industry.
Why did you created these packages?
Protecting life, property protection, and operation continuity are the most common fire safety objectives. Being able to recognise fire hazards can help prevent fires from happening. The number of fires in the healthcare sector is increasing yearly worldwide due to the growing number of mobile devices constantly charging. Due to the lack of regular training and healthcare personnel being overly busy, people’s behaviour can’t be predicted easily, and panic will take over.
All patients can’t be evacuated that easily. The best to do then is to contain the fire until the fire department arrives.
For which training scenario are these product combinations packages applicable?
Various procedures can be trained, such as handling fire extinguishers, tactical training for first intervention teams, incidents involving hazardous materials, and evacuation exercises.
The healthcare sector is a critical part of the economy, and emergency training is essential to ensuring that hospitals can function effectively at all times. However, the needs of healthcare facilities can vary significantly, and it can be challenging to create a training proposal that meets all the different requirements.
There are several ways to create a highly effective training proposal. One approach is to create a proposal tailored to the sector’s specific needs. Another method is to create a proposal tailored to the particular needs of businesses within the industry. The best approach will depend on the sector’s specific needs and the companies it targets. However, both techniques can be highly effective in meeting the needs of the business and industry sectors.
LION is an innovative technology company that delivers smart technology to develop life-saving products. Our mission is to use ground-breaking technology, to improve fire emergency situations training and understanding. For a few months, we collaborated and worked on feedback and requirements from fire safety professionals within healthcare structures. How have you developed your training solutions over the years?
LION’s Training Products are reliable, high-quality, and practical. We develop training tools to prepare any intervention team for emergencies.
We have worked closely with fire rescue services for more than 20 years and we can propose a training solution for almost all types of training. However, addressing the business and industry sector implied that we needed to adjust our approach and portfolio proposal. The requirements, thinking process and situation to consider can be very different, and each sector should have a training product proposal that matches their expectations.
When looking at those markets, we saw that our proposed products are compatible. Still, we should propose them in combination, answering a precise training scenario instead of loose from context.
How do you decide which training products to combine?
To create fire training product market combinations, we looked at several steps. The first step is to define the training objectives that our customers want to reach and their target audience. What is the goal of their training? Who will be attending their training? What is their budget? Once we had defined the training objectives and target audience, it was time to create a detailed training outline. This outline should include the topics that will be covered, the activities that will be conducted, and the training products that should be used.
We put together four product market combinations from the most standard (fire extinguisher training) to the more complex and sophisticated (complete fire training program). Each package answers a particular set of training requirements and provides the trainer with the opportunity to create the corresponding scenario. We privileged an escalating approach. As every healthcare facility can have its own unique guidelines, the trainer needs to be able to adapt as much as possible. So nothing is final; those are only suggestions based on facts and sales data.
With digital and evacuations fire simulators, smoke generators, and rescue manikins training products, we propose a solution for healthcare teams to perform versatile, realistic evacuation exercises and procedures within any space or room directly on the spot. No need to move rooms or locations. The practical training will have the most minor impact on the personal schedule.
What are the biggest challenges you see around training staff?
“Train them right here – right now, during their shift.” This is the motto we kept in mind when putting together our product-market combinations. One of the biggest obstacles our customers are facing and that we needed to help them with was to propose training scenarios within their own environment and a cost-efficient and time-saving solution. The goal is to train the people faster and often enough that fire safety becomes a reflex. The course can be planned efficiently: the employees are trained in their working environment while care can continue.
Training within your own work environment is crucial. This is even more true within the healthcare industry. So within our product combination, we propose our digital fire training extinguisher system, the BullsEye™. With it, it is possible to train in practice real-life situations based on the specific circumstances and tasks that apply in a hospital. It combines digital flames, sound, and smoke to create various fire scenarios.
With the extension of the R.A.C.E station, laser extinguishers, misty blind mask, rescue and fire manikins, our customers can combine all the products suggested and make the training complete and very challenging. The training products meet all the technical requirements in hospitals, so they can train safely in places that are not usually possible. Even in an operating room or a laboratory, the quality of our LION Training Products ensures that it is safe to use in the most sensitive conditions.
What is the best way to ensure fire safety training is effective?
We also concluded while conducting our market research that product combination suggestions make it easier for the trainer to set a training environment that teaches the facility’s safety standards to prevent fires and to learn how to best respond to this type of emergency. Immersing the trainees within a good training scenario starts with choosing the right product combinations.
Do you evacuate, or do you apply a stay-put policy? Quick and effective decisions and actions must be taken when a fire starts. Is it clear where the fire extinguisher is located in your department? Do you know the escape plan, and do you know where the closest emergency exit is? Do your staff know how to react in case of fire?
This new approach lets us see more opportunities than ever. Product combinations can be endless; with a portfolio of 80 products and most of those products able to communicate with each other, LION sees a bright future for those tailored training product scenario suggestions.
The key is understanding the sector, the customer and what they want to achieve. Only then can we put together the proper product-market combination.
This article was originally published in the January edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.
Martin Joosen, Managing Director at LION (EMEA), talks the latest in digital training solutions that can save on cost whilst preserving efficacy
From digital propane to carbonaceous (class A) fire training solutions, the realism of real-life training is a constant factor in training program development. However, with the recent rise of gas prices in Europe and the rising interest in clean systems, new ways of training need to be developed. Down the line, the goal is to reduce resource expenses like gas usage and lower health and environmental risks during training exercises.
This new approach includes a long-term strategic vision and regular and adequate control over resources and their costs. Everyone considers these essential aspects when developing a training program or looking at healthy turnover for private fire training structures.
Training programs and courses are costly to create in time and resources, to put in place and to keep going regularly. Moreover, a vast audience must also be addressed, from firefighters and special intervention teams to security professionals, training schools and training companies. And even if you managed to get all the above together, the logistic and organisation necessary to get the expected return on investment on the training program is not always as high as we would like.
These days, the elaboration of fire and safety training is closer to a “magical” ground-breaking algorithm than the traditional “create and plan” processes we use. Power and fuel supply like electricity or gas are becoming a heavier part of the budget of training centres, public or private, if it has not already the most significant part.
The cost of fire training
A fire point consumes in 10 minutes up to 4.3 kg of propane gas and a rollover uses 1.5kg of propane gas each time it is turned on, therefore we can calculate that a minimum of 10 minutes of fire training using one gas simulator piles up to a gas usage of 5.8kg.
At the end of September 2022, the gas prices are around €1.65 per kg. Thus a 10-minute fire training using one gas simulator costs nowadays €9.57. To this extent, a training session of 12 people with minimal training set-up and only 1 simulator being used will have a price tag of €57.42.
On the other side, we also know that repetition creates “muscle memory,” which is key to a successful training outcome. You must train as often as possible and within a realistic environment, focused on realism, safe use, and cost-effectiveness. So how can you balance regular training and keeping your cost of operations under control?
Digital fire training equipment
Repetition is one of the most critical parts of good training. Digital training simulators are supplied with electricity, facilitating regular exercise without bearing unforeseen costs due to fluctuating gas pricing. Those training simulators also lower the exposure time of the trainees and instructors to dangerous situations or environments with digital systems.
Not all trainees are fire professionals with adequate protection (such as PPE, SCBA) that need to get used to intense flame and heat. Another great advantage is that the training can occur where the fire hazard is. For example, exercises can happen in the trainee’s building, site, or area. Think of the kitchen for a hospital where the most significant risk is. You can also train during summertime when water restrictions and high temperatures forbid you from using water, gas, or wood.
Realism is key
With the first generation of digital training equipment, it was not possible to train with a high level of realism. After implementing user feedback and advice, the new generation of digital products allows you to get familiar with all firefighting techniques; within all environments such as offices, real-life airplanes, and engine rooms.
You can use water or adapted laser-driven portable extinguishers and nozzles. You can also use your own equipment. No virtual reality or simulation, virtual prop that might make you seasick or nauseous, only actual and singular products. You can take the training to the next level, anywhere, anytime.
After several years on the market, digital fire training products are reaching a new level of realism. They can perfectly replicate the responding fire behaviour on used firefighting techniques in most well-known and standard fire classes. You can now add smoke and heating elements and enhance your training scenario and create a combined simulation with the right amount of cold smoke behaving like real smoke.
Give it shot
Do not let hesitations on realism or global instability around gas supply stop you from fire training – instead try digital fire training. Save on your operations recurring costs and keep on training. Take it to the next level. Add LION digital products to your traditional training equipment. At this point, this is one of the most promising answers to the growing concerns and questions surrounding gas prices, fire training, environmental impact, and natural evolution in this challenging world.
Martin Joosen, Managing Director EMEA, Lion EMEA sheds light on the company’s roots, and the latest trends in fire training.
Tell us a bit of Lion, and how you’ll got to where you are in the market as a fire training specialist.
Lion EMEA was a Dutch company formed 30 years ago, we were founded by firefighter for firefighters. The mission was to offer better products and training scenarios. The desire was born out of the fact that the founder, Jac Haagen, was not happy with the quality of the smoke generators that were being using used, which were like the ones used in theatres / night clubs. He created his own products, small generators to begin with.
We then progressed, sold our products to other fire brigades in the Netherlands, followed by Belgium, France, UK, Germany. Eventually, we got into the Middle East and into the USA. In 2012, we were bought by the Lion Group, which gave them the opportunity to broaden their portfolio beyond PPE. The benefits of the takeover were mutual, giving us the opportunity to expand as well. Lion also bought one of our competitors in America, that continues to provide training products in the USA.
How did the takeover benefit Lion’s operations?
The takeover allowed us to grow our footprint, we were able to attract larger projects. Along with our purpose-built firehouses and containers, we were able to build complete fire training skyscrapers in Shanghai and Melbourne. These are fully functional buildings, residential / office blocks whose sole purpose is to be set on fire.
The facility in Melbourne includes scenarios that replicate everything that can catch fire such as a boat, car, helicopter, building, and a house. We are the biggest company in the market in our sector. We offer everything from the smallest training products, such as smoke generators and fire trainers, to delivering training centres.
Since our centres involve burning gas, wood, and other components it requires the highest standard of maintenance. Ultimately, the training we impart is lifesaving in critical situations, which is paramount to firefighters and the industry. Well imparted training makes all the difference in critical situations where lives and property are at risk.
The EMEA is a massive region, what are a few complexities of the different regions?
Absolutely, the Europe Midde East and Africa is a broad region. The European market is different from the Middle East or Asia for that matter. Meanwhile the African market is still developing, and we are not there yet in terms of competition. We have an appetite to increase our market share in all these regions, but it needs to be done strategically, without loss of quality or standards.
When we talk about our competition in the market, there aren’t too many companies that offer what we do. Some of our peers, for instance, cater to a specific market segment.
Ultimately, in the fire training business it all comes down to the expertise of a company. The trainers you employ, methods and techniques they use, and standards we follow. For example, our competitors might focus on smoke generators in sewage extraction or night clubs, which is their remit. On the other hand, we are one of the only companies that’s looks at it from a firefighter’s point of view, and not from a product perspective.
To what extent are Lion’s training regiments customisable?
We always start with a blank canvas and paint the picture with our clients. We have more than 30 years expertise in the field, we are able to offer insight at different points throughout the journey. We want to be in a position, where we handover the keys to a client and they can get started straight away.
Tell us about your other training facilities.
Fire departments have a different thinking process across different regions. Each country tends to have its own set of training requirements. We don’t have many projects (in Europe) the size of our China or Australia facilities. We have several smaller purpose-built training facilities based on container systems, or a firehouse, kitted out to the requirements of the client. The most recent one was a facility we set up in Cardiff, Wales. A firehouse can be purpose built to any fire technology required by the client, wood, or gas fires, and so forth.
What costs are involved in building training facilities?
A fire training facility is resource intensive, after all we are burning critical components and resources, then you need to consider rising costs of natural gas and other non-renewable materials. You also need to go through the props that will catch fire for a period of 45 minutes. The costs tend to stack up a fair bit.
Before training, we need to decide whether we are going to train in the defence or attack of firefighting or tracking fire dynamics. In Western Europe, clients are extremely precise about each training facility, geared to tackle each vertical within the industry. In France, there are approximately 95 to 99 fire departments, and we are present in 80 of them. Each region tends to have its own training facilities, which are based on the budget of their councils.
Martin Joosen.
How receptive is the market in general towards making new investments?
Budgets constraints usually impact negatively on training-related spends. Clients tend to invest more in PPE protection, which is critical because you need to have good tools for intervention and rescue. However, if firefighters are better trained, which also means better techniques to equipment, it would lead to saving a lot more lives. Compromising on training can be fatal.
For instance, with the tragic Thailand bus disaster in 2018; there was a lack of training to rescue people from that situation. In the aftermath, within six months of the incident, authorities set up a bus simulator to help stay prepared.
It’s a paradox when there are no catastrophes it’s hard to justify expenses towards training. On the flip side, without adequate training the results of an accident could be a lot worse. Slashing training budgets could also lead to more expenses in the form of compensations, use of hospital resources, and so forth.
What new techniques are being introduced in firefighting?
We are incorporating digital technology in our training centres. We have introduced screens within the training centres, along with sensory devices such as heat and smoke generators to replicate an emergency scenario. Having said that, these additions are nothing more than training aides for firefighters, which will never replace traditional techniques. That’s something we want to assure your readers. We are cautious when adding new technology to our facilities. It does have its benefits, they go a long way in helping firefighters drill repeat scenarios, helping them create muscle memory to specific situations.
On one hand veteran firefighters love to deal with the actual fire, replicating the stress and tension of an emergency. This is also extremely important for newly qualified fire fighters as they need to experience 1,000 degrees Celsius environments where it’s nearly impossible to humanly function. It’s a fine balancing act to get the best training, in the most effective way.
What new products are you’ll working on to meet different requirements?
We will launch a range of seven fully customisable container systems, which can be easily transported on site, and ready for use. Due to the high costs, it’s also important that our client’s get maximum ROI. Our containers and fire houses usually last for about 10 years, which is industry benchmark, which is a tried and tested tenure from our side. A few of our customers train in a London facility that has been in operation non-stop, day-after-day for more than 10 years. That’s testament to the quality and ingenuity of our products.
Tell us about your initiatives to make your offerings more environment friendly.
Burning non-renewable resources such as natural gas and wood are not the best for the environment, and we are extremely conscious about that. We try our best and use eco-friendly materials wherever we can. The inherent nature of fire means it’s always going to be a challenge to cut down on the pollution created by burning different components. That’s where our digital and technological offerings play a huge part.
LION, the largest family-owned manufacturer of first responder personal protective equipment (PPE) in the United States, today announced its acquisition through an asset purchase of the Elbeco brand. For decades, Elbeco has been a leading 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.
“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 keep 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.
“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.”
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.”
