US-based manufacturer and supplier of safety equipment MSA Safety has announced its results for Q2 2015
The company reported a nine per cent rise in local currency sales across the emerging markets, which it said was driven largely by bumper shipment orders in the Middle East.
Local currency sales of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) increased by 41 per cent globally, and overall core sales grew 10 per cent on a local currency basis, with a particularly strong performance in fire service products and fixed gas and flame detection (FGFD) systems.
Some of these successes were offset, however, by continued weakness in portable gas detection and industrial head protection sales, which are more exposed to employment levels within the energy market vertical.
“Our quarterly results reflect our team’s highly focused execution of our strategy, despite challenging conditions that continue to impact certain areas of our business,” said MSA CEO William M. Lambert. “While certain MSA products that are more closely aligned with employment levels in the energy market continued an expected weak trajectory, we realized double-digit sales growth in SCBA, FGFD and fire helmets in the quarter.”
R&D investments made in new products also generated strong returns, MSA said, with products developed and launched within the last five years representing 45 per cent of quarterly core product revenue, up from 32 per cent last year.
