Inside Diamond SPRING 2020 - Amerex
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Inside Diamond
THE
SPRING 2020
A Letter from Harrison Bishop
It is hard to believe that we are changeover is no easy task! However,
well into the year 2020. Not long our team has persevered and made
ago, 2020 seemed like the distant great progress in working the new
future. However, since the company’s system into our daily business. We
founding in 1971, the leadership at appreciate the patience of our team
Amerex has made decisions for the members, customers and suppliers
long-term, and investments into the as we work to iron out all the new
company for the future. As a result, processes.
Amerex quickly became and remains
a leader in the fire suppression This publication also highlights
industry. In this edition of “Inside the newest Amerex products, and
the Diamond,” it is apparent that the progress that our Kitchen and
we are continuing the tradition Industrial Systems group has made
of investing in our company and into new arenas, along with a
making decisions for the long-term spotlight on one of our international
benefit of those involved with the vehicle system sales partners. Each
fire suppression industry. Detailed of these areas of progress required
inside is information concerning our foresight, study and decisions
efforts surrounding complete fire made well in advance. We continue
protection in the National Defense to fill our pipeline with ideas,
HARRISON BISHOP Authorization Act, the continuous product innovations and system
PRESIDENT strides we make for the protection of improvements for the future of
the environment and the expansion Amerex. Finally, in this newsletter
of our distribution centers to better you will be introduced to a group
serve all our customers. of team members who carry on a
long-standing tradition at Amerex.
This year, we also transitioned to Our Customer Service team has
a new enterprise resource planning adapted to the changing business
(ERP) system, which required environment and technologies over
more than a year of training and the years, but they have not forgotten
preparation. As anyone who has been their top priority: our customers.
through an ERP conversion can tell Thank you for taking the time to read
you, because the system involves “Inside the Diamond,” and thank you
everything that enters the plant, for being an Amerex partner.
how it is transformed into product,
sold and how it is shipped, an ERP
FEMA AND AMEREX WORK TOGETHER
TO KEEP DEFENSE PERSONNEL SAFE
The mission of the Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ FEMA and the FEMA GRC continue our efforts to
Association is to advocate for complete life safety solutions. implement the positive change we’ve realized through the
FEMA and Amerex have worked diligently over the last lawmaking process. Here are some additional key points
two years to affect a positive change in the fire protection to keep in mind as you’re discussing these topics with your
mindset within the U.S. Department of Defense. With the customers and equipment owners:
signing of the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act
(NDAA), this positive change was finally realized. • Amerex believes that organizations like FEMA are key
to the mutual success of the industry.
The NDAA is one of a few bipartisan bills passed • Knowing a supplier’s commitment to such pro-industry
annually through Congress. The law’s bipartisan appeal and pro-life-safety activity should be part of any
and the defense focus of this bill are the main reasons business decision.
FEMA and Amerex sought to change the Department of • Amerex continues to support FEMA on this issue and
Defense fire code through this bill. Working with Rasky issues on the horizon such as fire protection on school
Partners, FEMA successfully found sponsorship of our cause buses through the School Bus Safety Act (House Bill
in this important piece of legislation after many visits to HR 3959) and the Campus Fire Safety Education Act
Washington, D.C., by FEMA GRC members. (which will provide grants to educational facilities
with regards to fire safety products).
Support within the ranks of lawmakers is vital for any • We thank you for your support of FEMA’s efforts and
change to laws, but substantive changes like this one can loyalty to Amerex.
happen only with grassroots efforts. Thanks to our strong
base of distributors throughout the country, your grassroots
efforts really paid off. Distributors’ letter-writing campaign
is a major part of this success story.
BEYOND THE
A LOOK AT AMEREX
DISTRIBUTION OPERATIONS
When a company becomes known for the high quality of its products, every other aspect of the business must rise to the same
standard. In the fire suppression industry, Amerex is known for setting the standard in quality. To deliver quality throughout
our customers’ experience, we’re committed to continuous improvement in innovation, value and customer service. When
demand is high, keeping lead times short can be challenging, so Amerex invested heavily in our distribution centers with an
eye on improving lead times for good. Take a look at how innovations and new efficiencies in Amerex’s product distribution
process are helping our customer service meet the high expectation set by our top-notch products.
It has been a busy couple of products are made. Our headquarters
years for Logistics Manager Heath also functions as a distribution center.
Posey. Along with managing regular In addition to distribution operations
distribution operations, Heath has in Trussville, Amerex currently has
been instrumental in expansive efforts distribution centers in Oakland, New
to improve efficiency and shorten lead Jersey, Santa Fe Springs, California
times. “It’s always gratifying to be part (greater Los Angeles), and Elk Grove,
of an established company that’s still Illinois (greater Chicago). These are
taking an innovative approach. The longstanding distribution centers,
company has been really invested in each with more than 30 years of
giving us everything we need to make operational experience.
these improvements. We’re looking at
distribution centers that have been At the end of 2018, our
in place for about 40 years in some Chicagoland distribution center
cases, and for each one, we’ve laid out moved to a new location and
and are implementing a plan to better doubled in size, and in mid-2019, our these new distribution centers were
serve the customer,” noted Heath. California location also moved into near the old ones, in some aspects,
a much larger facility. In each case, they’re a world away. Each new
That plan to better serve the the new buildings were within two distribution location added a host of
customer begins at our headquarters miles of the old locations to keep the new benefits to deliver efficiencies
in Trussville, Alabama, where all our distribution footprint the same. While and enhanced order fullfillment.
IT’S ALWAYS GRATIFYING TO BE PART OF
AN ESTABLISHED COMPANY THAT’S STILL
TAKING AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH.
demand and seasonality at each of these logistical projects. “We’re very
these locations to determine how appreciative of the investment that our
variations affect how we should company leadership has made in these
stock. There may be more demand newer, larger facilities, these special
for a particular product in January racking projects and more. These can
than there is in July, so we’re being be costly projects, so we’re appreciative
smart about that. It’s not just about to be able to implement them for the
more volume of everything at each betterment of the customer in the long
location,” he added. run,” enthused Heath.
It all adds up to more robust The goal, of course, is to ensure
inventory at each distribution branch. that yet another aspect of Amerex
“Stock levels at all locations are being customer service helps keep quality
In both new distribution centers, evaluated and improved, especially behind the diamond. “It makes it easy
Heath’s team created efficiencies for system parts like KP and vehicle when you have complete support
through solutions like high-density systems. We’re trying to make sure from upper management. Those two
storage and gravity flow racking. we have everything on-hand to make distribution center moves show that
These techniques compound the things easier and quicker for the management is completely supportive
gains made from larger facilities with customer,” Heath pointed out. of our efforts to shorten lead times
the ability to stock more inventory in with distribution improvements. That
the same amount of space. The new “This is all part of improving makes it easy for me,” Heath concluded.
locations also improve convenience lead times for customers,” Heath
for distributors who pick up products added. “Production is doing a great
directly with additional drive-in doors. job of ramping up and meeting our
“We’re looking to help improve the strong sales performance. As soon as
flow of product and our ability to serve completed products hit the floor, we’re
customers both through shipping and working to get them from Trussville
those who pick up on location. The to our distribution centers. We can
focus is on the customer and making react really quickly here in Trussville
it as easy as possible for the customer because our distribution center is 50
to pick up the product, or to have it
shipped quickly, ” said Heath. feet from our production line. The
distribution centers can’t be quite as
A strategic mindset is also crucial nimble, so we work to get them more
to maintaining the right inventory of what they will need as quickly as
levels in each distribution center we can,” he observed.
throughout the entire year. “It’s not
as simple as just increasing all the With an eye on permanently
inventory numbers,” cautioned Heath. improved lead times, Amerex has
“We’re looking very specifically at committed significant resources to
NO WEAK LINKS IN CHAIN
RESTAURANT FIRE PROTECTION
W
hen you walk into a The premise of a chain restaurant over the course of inevitable changes
Popeyes or a Texas is to take success from one location, in kitchen appliances or layout.”
Roadhouse, you’re probably find ways to make it repeatable
focused on one thing: the delicious and improve efficiency and package Michael added, “Restaurants typically
meal you’re about to enjoy. Whether it for additional locations so that outlast their appliances. As appliances
it’s a famous chicken sandwich from operations are as streamlined are changed out or upgraded, an
Popeyes or a hand-cut steak from as possible. Popeyes and Texas appliance-specific setup has to be
Texas Roadhouse, most diners are Roadhouse repeat their respective modified, re-tested and re-certified.
thinking about what comes out of successful formulas across locations, If a particular area under a hood is
the kitchen, not what’s inside it. But and these two major national protected with KP with Zone Defense,
behind the scenes in many Popeyes restaurant chains are also repeating that area is protected thoroughly
and Texas Roadhouse locations, an the inclusion of KP to protect their
Amerex KP kitchen fire suppression team members and property.
system stands at the ready to protect
lives and property. Michael Gaston, Why is Amerex’s KP system the
Product Manager — Restaurant right fit for chain restaurants? Jamie
and Industrial Systems, said, “Chain Knowles, Sales Manager — Restaurant
restaurants are increasingly working and Industrial Systems says the
with our distributor and original advantages for end-users are many.
equipment manufacturer (OEM) “First,” said Jamie, “is its adaptability in
partners to find that Amerex has the the Zone Defense setup. That means
right fire suppression system to fit restaurant operators don’t need to
their needs.” modify their fire suppression system
“We’re focused on getting our systems has helped convert some locations
in the market so our distributors have from MRM to STRIKE because, as
plenty of demand for the product. Jamie puts it, “STRIKE is 100 percent
We have KP in numerous U.S. and supervised and provides more data
international locations. In the world on the history of system events, so
of multi-unit restaurant operations, a it’s a smarter system for the end-user
franchisee likes it to be turnkey, and and it’s easier to maintain in the
we’re able to help deliver that with the long-term with less concern about
KP system,” added Michael. grease buildup.”
With Texas Roadhouse, Amerex systems Overall, it’s safe to say the appetite for
regardless of the appliance made their way into the kitchen Amerex KP kitchen fire suppression
configuration under it.” through Koorsen Fire and Security, a systems in chain restaurants is
long-standing partner. “We’ve had a certainly increasing, thanks to our
End-users also find the system lot of shared success with Koorsen valuable partnerships with OEMs and
advantageous because, Jamie said, installing Amerex kitchen systems in fire equipment distributors. Those
“using KP across locations keeps bills relationships are the key, says Michael.
of materials, design and installation “If a distributor has a relationship with
processes consistent, predictable and an emerging chain, I’d love for that
streamlined.” Finally, the system offers distributor to come back to us and
potent fire suppression, with plenty help catch them early as they begin to
of pressure to produce quick knock- expand, work with them on pricing and
down. Thanks to our fantastic partners, standardizing the bill of materials, and
whether OEMs or distributors, chain we can help them expand in an easily
restaurant operators are able to find repeatable way.”
the adaptability, repeatability and
firefighting power they crave in the Now, with the debut of the Amerex
KP system. Texas Roadhouse locations across the Preferred Installer Network for KP
country for many years,” said Jamie. systems, it’s easier than ever for
For Popeyes, KP came into the picture These systems help protect people and distributors to help protect restaurants
thanks to a kitchen hood OEM. The property in Texas Roadhouse kitchens — whether a single location or a
KP system comes preinstalled on where significant hazards exist national chain.
the hoods in some new Popeyes thanks to the presence of extremely
locations and Amerex ships the hot appliances for cooking succulent
remaining necessary components steaks, ribs and more. While most of
so that everything is ready on-site the KP installations in Popeyes and
and installation and testing are Texas Roadhouse locations use a
streamlined. mechanical release module (MRM),
Amerex is also seeing growth in the
“Our relationships with hood presence of the new STRIKE Electronic
manufacturers ensure there are more Control System in chain restaurants
Amerex systems in the marketplace like Freddy’s Frozen Custard.
and it increases the opportunities
for installations and long-term In Freddy’s locations, another valued
maintenance and service work for our distributor partner, Allstate Fire
distributor partners,” Michael noted. Company of Independence, Missouri,
ALL IN FOR CUSTOMERS
country and around the globe. Her team can. Whether she’s interacting with her
of eight spends the day answering team or speaking with a customer a
phones, emails and faxes to help things thousand miles away, Debbie keeps a
run smoothly for Amerex customers. smile on her face and is unfailingly kind
We sat down with Debbie to learn and polite.
more about her team, her work and
the philosophy that guides Amerex’s “My favorite part of the job is
exemplary Customer Service team. working with customers and building
relationships along the way,” said
Debbie has worked at Amerex for Debbie. The key for Debbie and her team
41 years, beginning in production and is simple: listening. “The most important
DEBBIE LAYFIELD moving to Customer Service in 1997. thing is to listen to the customer and
In 2009, Debbie took on leadership of immediately focus on solutions. We’re
D ebbie Layfield is a devoted spouse,
loving mother and grandmother
and, when she walks through the doors
the department. Debbie’s household
is all about Amerex — she is married
to Senior Production Manager Jeff
solutions-oriented, and we emphasize
always ending the interaction on a
positive note. Customer service helps set
of Amerex’s corporate headquarters in Layfield. Together, they have three Amerex apart,” noted Debbie.
Trussville, Alabama, a relentless and wonderful children and eight precious How does Debbie’s team approach
spirited problem-solver. Debbie leads grandchildren with whom they love customers with challenging issues?
our Customer Service team, helping to spend quality time. Outside of their “We just live the golden rule and treat
build relationships and solve problems dedication to work and family, Debbie everyone as we would like to be treated.
for Amerex customers around the and Jeff like to travel as much as they We put ourselves in the customer’s
shoes. I tell my team, even though you manner, and they are very sincere with queries for Amerex. Their day-to-day
don’t see the customer, put a smile on and motivated personally to make work includes answering phone calls,
your face because customers can sense sure customers are taken care of and emails and working in customer portals
if you’re approaching their problem with satisfied,” said Debbie. “Customer Service — “just taking care of the customers,”
a friendly disposition.” may be the first interaction, but it takes as Debbie put it. “We have a family
everybody, the entire company, to deliver atmosphere on the team — really the
Debbie’s quick to note she couldn’t the kind of experience that we want our entire company does. We cultivate that
deliver a customer care and service customers to expect,” she added. environment with fun Amerex outings
experience worthy of the Amerex brand like going to the McWane Science Center
without a great team behind her. “I feel The Customer Service team is or Dave & Buster’s. We get to know each
like I have the best customer service comprised of eight team members, other as people,” she said. Speaking of
team in the world. They work very hard including one via McWane International getting to know them…
to take care of customers in a timely who handles international customers
MEET THE CUSTOMER SERVICE TEAM
GIDGET YEAGER MANDY STANFORD LESLI MELVIN
• Joined Amerex in 2011 as • Joined Amerex in 2007 with the • Joined Amerex three years ago.
our Sales Administrator and Customer Service team. • Married for 23 years.
Executive Assistant • Family includes husband, Chris, • Has five children, two daughters-
• Has been married for more than and three children. in-law and eight grandchildren.
30 years and has two children, a • Teaches Sunday school to a lively • Has worked in customer service
son and a daughter. group of middle school boys. for 26 years because she loves
• Loves getting the chance to • Enjoys reading, crafting and working with people and building
make a difference each day for watching Alabama football. friendships along the way.
our customers.
• Hobbies include hiking, shopping, KAYLA BROWN SHARON MINYARD
visits to Nashville and enjoying • Started at Amerex as an intern • Has been with Amerex for 35 years,
sunshine and water at the beach. in her senior year of high school 10 on the Customer Service team.
in the Accounting and Sales • Started working in production and
MARIA SILVA departments. After high school, she has held several jobs throughout
• Handles international sales via decided Amerex was where she the company.
McWane International. wanted to be. • Is thankful to have made so many
• Joined Amerex in July 2016 • Has been with Amerex for 10 years. friends at Amerex along the way.
working in production, then joined • Her family includes husband, • Enjoys spending time with her
International Customer Service in Robby, and their two children. daughters and grandchildren,
2017. • Hobbies include spending time getting outdoors and watching her
• Has six children and nine with family, crafting and watching oldest grandchild play baseball
grandchildren. Alabama football.
• Is very family-oriented — she is BRANDY REID
great at sharing home-cooked RITA OVERBY • Joined Amerex in 1997 and moved
meals with her children and • Has been with Amerex for 31 years, to the Customer Service team in
grandchildren 11 on the Customer Service team. 2013.
• Enjoys working at Amerex for the • Worked in production for 20 years • Has a daughter and two godsons.
family environment. prior. • Spends lots of time with her
• Has been married for 41 years and family, friends and pets.
has one daughter, one son and one • A member of the 501st Legion,
grandson who occupies much of a Star Wars-related charity
her time. organization.
• Enjoys the outdoors, working with
flowers and walking her dog.
AMEREX 2020 EVENTS CALENDAR Event Description Location Dates Event Description Location Dates KP, IS & VS Training Las Vegas, NV Mar. 2–4 KP & IS Training Cleveland, OH Aug. 25–26 CONEXPO - CON/AGG Las Vegas, NV Mar. 10–14 NJAFED – TBA – AUSA Assoc. of the US Army Huntsville, AL Mar. 16–19 ExpoMina Lima, Peru Sept. 12–14 KP & IS Training Charlotte, NC Mar. 17–18 KP & IS Training Marlborough, MA Sept. 15–16 TSD/Transporting Students Disabilities Frisco, TX Mar. 22–23 Oil Sands Minexpo Fort MacMurray Sept. 16–17 KP & IS Training New Orleans, LA Mar. 24–25 MINExpo Las Vegas, NV Sept. 28–30 Northeast Loggers Bangor, ME Apr. 3–4 Kp & IS Training Sacramento, CA Sept. 29–30 TBB/Thomas Built Buses Exh. Savannah, GA Apr. 12–13 CalSafe Monterey, CA Oct. 4–5 Expomin Santiago, Chile Apr. 20–24 APTA Anaheim, CA Oct. 12–14 KP, IS & VS Training Canada Apr. 21–23 AUSA Assoc. of the US Army Exhibit Washington, D.C. Oct. 12–14 KP, IS & VS Training Chicago, IL Apr. 28–30 KP & IS Training Allentown, PA Oct. 13–14 FEMA Chicago, IL May 5–6 NCAFED Concord, NC Oct. 13–15 WasteExpo Tradeshow Exhibit New Orleans, LA Nov. 5–7 PAFED/Annual Conference Grantville, PA Oct. 16–18 Elko Mine Expo Elko, NV June 1–5 KP & IS Training Dallas, TX Oct. 20–21 STN/Student Trans Network Central Exh. Indianapolis, IN June 4–8 PAFED Annual Conference Gainesville, PA Oct. 21–23 Eurosatory Paris, France June 8–13 FEMA Palm Beach, FL OCT. 21–23 Euro Mine Expo Sweden June 9–11 Euro Bus Expo Birmingham, UK Nov. 3–5 STN/Student Trans Network West Exh. Reno June 10–15 VS Training MWI Miami, FL Nov. 3–5 NFPA Conf. & Expo Orlando June 15–18 BusCon TMG Exhibits Philadelphia, PA Nov. 15–17 KP & IS Training Seattle, WA July 21–22 KP, IS, & VS Training Trussville, AL Dec. 1–3 KP & IS Training Ft. Lauderdale, FL Aug. 11–12 NAFED 2020 Location Dates Las Vegas, NV Mar. 5–6 Atlantic City, NJ Apr. 2–3 Chicago, IL May 7–8
THIS MONTH IN
AMEREX HISTORY
W
e’re proud to look back to an announcement made 10 years ago this month. In March 2010,
Amerex made headlines, emerging as what the Birmingham News called “a major military
subcontractor” thanks to the deployment of our vehicle fire suppression systems in Oshkosh
Corporation’s U.S. military vehicles, including the armored vehicles that face threats from mines and
improvised explosive devices in the Middle Eastern combat zone. Amerex Defense’s vehicle systems can
detect and extinguish cabin compartment fires in the blink of an eye.
Amerex’s partnership with Oshkosh helped us get back to full employment despite facing stiff economic
headwinds in the midst of the recession. At the time, McWane Inc. CEO Ruffner Page said, “Amerex has
been a real bright spot for us. And the work they are doing is saving lives.” We couldn’t have said it better
ourselves. Amerex Defense continues to equip Oshkosh military vehicles like the JLTV with heavy-duty,
military-grade fire detection and suppression power.AMEREX INVESTS IN SUSTAINABILITY
FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
two decades, I have worked to ensure powder coating to give our products
that future generations have the better weather resistance in the field
necessary resources to sustain and while reducing our volatile organic
prosper. I graduated from Jacksonville compounds (VOCs) and hazardous
State University in 1994 with a waste generated by the operation. In
B.S. in biology, and returned to the addition, we recycle over 525 tons of
classroom later in my career to earn a aluminum, brass and steel annually.
B.S. in business and an MBA from the These materials, along with dry
University of Alabama. chemical cylinders and cardboard
packaging, are fully recyclable. Amerex
At Amerex, company-wide products contain no heavy metals or
environmental efforts instill our team hexavalent chromium. Amerex has
members with the same sustainable- been ISO 14000 certified since 2004
effort mentality. Team members and is currently certified to the new
participate annually in a McWane ISO 14000:2015 standard.
Inc. program called the Pollution
Prevention Challenge. This program Through our factory operations
At Amerex, our responsibility allows team members to think of and our products and the communities
to our business customers, families various ways that our operation can they serve, Amerex will continue to
and communities is to be an reduce its environmental footprint, strive for excellence in environmentally
environmentally responsible partner. with the opportunity to win up to sustainable solutions for future
What do you think of when you $1,000 annually for the best ideas. generations.
hear environmental compliance? From reductions in the quantity of
Take a moment to reflect upon your materials used for making parts to
personal efforts to be environmentally large-scale recycling efforts and
responsible. When I hear the phrase container projects, Amerex team
“environmental compliance,” I think members have helped reduce the
about sustainable efforts both at amount of waste produced and,
work and at home that preserve ultimately, given our operation a
our wonderful resources for future smaller environmental footprint.
generations. My name is Chuck
Freind, and I am the Environmental On the product side, we converted
Manager for Amerex. For more than our wet spray applied paint coating toEMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
WELCOME TO THE TEAM, JOHN FOLEY
A merex is pleased to welcome John Foley to the team as Regional Sales Manager — Northeast. We’re excited for you
to learn a little more about John in his own words, and for our many partners in the Northeast, we hope you get the
chance to meet John soon.
“I am a Seton Hall guy through and develop their distribution network and
through; I played ice hockey while attending subsequently conducted pull-through
both Seton Hall Prep and Seton Hall University, marketing, leading to significant growth
where I majored in political science. I’m a in the Northeast and on a national level.
Veteran of the U.S. Army. Through it all, my most cherished
I successfully ran my own business, starting role has been that of husband and
from the ground up to eventually become a father. Outside of work, I enjoy golf,
national service provider with a particular hockey and cooking. I’m a New York
strength in the Northeast. Giants fan and a fan of anyone playing
Once the company sold, I was able to apply against Dallas.
my acquired skills and established network This is an exciting time to join such
working as a manufacturers representative an amazing group of professionals on
for several years. I’ve helped manufacturers the Amerex team!”DISTRIBUTOR FEATURE WITH
JOSÉ DE OLIVEIRA ASSUNÇÃO
Say Alo to one of our international fire equipment distributor partners in Brazil, Jose de Oliveira Assunção, General Manager of
Argus Produtos e Sistemas Contra Incendio Ltda (Argus for short). Argus is based in Vinhedo, Sao Paulo, with a branch in Belo
Horizonte. Opened in 1978, Argus has become known throughout Brazil for its highly trained staff’s fire suppression expertise
and for the quality of its product installations. Jose was kind enough to take a few minutes from his busy schedule to tell us
more about his work distributing Amerex fire suppression solutions in Brazil.
Amerex: How long have you been with kind of products to distribute. We
your current company? looked into other manufacturers, but
we really wanted to put an emphasis
Jose: I founded Argus in 2010, but I on quality and to have the backing of
have worked in the fire protection the UL listings and verifications on our
industry since 1978. Since 2010, I’ve products, so we went with Amerex, and
run the company’s operations here it’s definitely been the right decision.
in Brazil with an emphasis on fire
suppression system integration. Why do you choose to distribute
Amerex products?
How long has your company
distributed Amerex? J: The quality of the products is
number one. Our philosophy is to
J: We started distributing Amerex choose high-quality products with
shortly after I established Argus. UL and/or FM listings, so for vehicle
Argus buys fire suppression and safety systems and kitchen systems, that was
products from companies based in the an easy choice. We distribute pre-
United States, Europe and Asia, and engineered fire systems for vehicles
then we integrate them here. We work and kitchens, and Amerex’s offerings fit
with partners to handle installation. our market’s needs exceptionally well.
We do our research in deciding whatTHE QUALITY OF
THE PRODUCTS
IS NUMBER ONE.
What kind of customer industries do Has your business experienced any 2019, two systems were required, one
you serve? highlights or significant moments for hoods and one for ducts where
recently? CO2 systems were used. This change
J: We have a really wide variety of is a major technical improvement for
customers. For the vehicle systems, we J: Yes, two recent highlights come the consumer as well as a cost-saving
have customers in mining — mostly to mind. First, I am very proud of benefit. As an industry leader in South
for gold or iron — sugar cane (we the success we had helping protect America, we worked alongside our
protect the storage tanks, the vehicles sugar cane harvesters with Amerex partners at Amerex to help accomplish
for the entire site and the harvest), vehicle systems. We were able to this regulatory change. We have been
forestry, food manufacturers, sugar reduce a customer’s losses from able to specify and sell the Amerex
mills, refineries, data centers (using the 11 harvesters a year to zero. The products in the Madero restaurant
NOVEC clean agent), paper and pulp harvesters are exposed to a lot of group in Brazil, and we are very
facilities, chemical and oil companies, hazards in the cane fields, with a lot of hopeful for more growth in kitchen
hospitals, hotels and restaurants. We combustible material and sources of protection in the next few years,
have customers throughout Brazil and ignition. For this particular customer, including integrating the new STRIKE
South America — Colombia, Peru— and we performed all the work from risk Electronic Control System.
parts of Africa. analysis, test-equipment installation,
project approval and installation in
350 harvesters in just three months
while training about 2,000 people
— that’s just inside of one group in
Brazil to support a new plantation.
We had a team of around 25 people
working seven days a week to make it
happen. We helped reduce the major
fire incidents in the plantations with
Amerex vehicle systems from more
than 200 per year to nearly zero.
For example, when a food company is Second, another success story was the
planning to open a new manufacturing change in the Brazilian kitchen hood
plant, they contract with us for all protection standard, requiring the
the systems inside the plant, and we protection of kitchen hoods and ducts
create a total fire protection system with fire systems that meet NFPA and
throughout the plant. UL 300 certification. Until SeptemberPRODUCT
UPDATES
FIRE
EXTINGUISHERS
Amerex is happy to be your
preferred partner for the fire
extinguisher industry, supplying a
complete line of reliable, high-quality
dry chemical, carbon dioxide and
stainless steel extinguishers.
We’re proud to produce the
highest-quality fire extinguisher on the
market today. The Z-Series line of high-
performance extinguishers is a huge
success, providing an environmentally
preferable corrosion-resistant product
to the market. A 12-year warranty and
a UL-verified marketing claim highlight
our commitment to the ruggedness
and reliability of the product line.
Our commitment to innovation
and development continue with our
new line of BrX fire extinguishers.
We’re working hard to bring new items
like this to the market. This new clean
agent is designed specifically for
the aerospace industry and is a very
effective replacement for Halon 1211
extinguishers. A 5B:C rating and an FAA
approval mean this product will work
in most aircraft. Stay tuned for further
developments!KITCHEN AND use Flash-Points, we encourage you separate accounts, standard BOMs
to check it out, and we look forward or other potential improvements.
INDUSTRIAL FIRE to integrating with other providers Everyone on the KP/IS team is ready to
SUPPRESSION in the future. We also have an Excel- help. We also have tools and drawings
based KP estimator that can help you for those of you who work with
SYSTEMS generate a bill of materials (BOM) designers — items like 3D models and
for any KP system. It works for Zone specification documents are posted in
Defense or Appliance-Specific setups the KP section of the Amerex website.
As 2019 concluded, our industrial and can be a MRM, PRM, STRIKE
dry chemical line continued to grow system. If you haven’t seen it yet, ask For our United States-based KP
with its industry-leading Total Flood the sales team or a member of our installers, you should have received an
Perimeter coverage, and our KP KP/IS team for details. invitation to join our Amerex Preferred
kitchen systems line with the addition Installer Network. This network is
of the STRIKE Electronic Control We continue to see more STRIKE focused on bringing our OEM hood
System also had a very solid finish to systems with KP sold each month. We partners together with valued KP
the year. Our focus on ease of use and foresee this trend continuing thanks distributors across the nation. This
internal efficiencies for the KP line to the system’s simple plug-and-play partnership between distributors
(detailed in the Fall 2019 newsletter) wiring and installation, its continual and hood manufacturers will ensure
paid off, as we were able to hold monitoring to ensure the fire system that hood manufacturers know the
pricing on KP to help you win more is always ready and the long-term installation pricing for any style of job
business with Amerex KP in 2020. benefit of detection lines and corner upfront and that our distributors set
pulleys that cannot clog with kitchen pricing that aligns with their given
On the ease-of-use front, we grease. We hope to bring some market areas. This will be a win-win
made great strides to ensure that it exciting improvements to the already- for both groups!
is easy to get the KP information you great STRIKE system in 2020. Starting
need where, when and how you need at the end of 2019, we have begun to As always, we encourage you to
it. We have updated the KP component see chain restaurants swapping other look at the event calendar in this issue
booklet to include all service and systems for KP with STRIKE as their for training dates to become certified
repair parts, rendering our 2010 parts standard. Speaking of chains, they are on kitchen and industrial systems. If
book obsolete. The new simplified a key focus area for us in both kitchen you’re interested, log in to our training
parts booklet contains images from and industrial systems. Please let us site for more info, or contact your
3D models along with descriptions of know if you do a lot of work with an Regional Sales Manager to sign up!
each component and service part. We individual chain and are interested
will refer to this new booklet during in how we can help take that
training classes. You can expect to see relationship to the next level through
an industrial systems version soon as
well. The KP parts booklet is posted
online and will be in the McWane
Pocket Engineer app soon.
We also worked with the team
at Flash-Soft to make sure they
had the most up-to-date KP and IS
information, including the new parts
booklet, in the drawing software that
we know many of you use. It now has
even more Amerex features when
generating hassle-free drawings to
meet local permit requirements. If youPRODUCT
UPDATES
CONTINUED
VEHICLE FIRE
SUPPRESSION
SYSTEMS
Look out for new product or injury from bus fires. Further,
information from Amerex vehicle the report recommended that fire
systems coming soon! We are suppression systems be required
preparing to introduce a J1939/CAN on all new school buses. As a result
interface. The CAN, or Controller of the investigation and report,
Area Network, receives messages congressional action is taking place
from the Amerex fire suppression now with the School Bus Safety
system regarding the status of the Act, which adds a number of safety
system and relays those messages features to school buses, including
to computers and maintenance a requirement for fire suppression
personnel. This valuable tool helps systems on all school buses. At this
save downtime and can alert point, the bill is in the sponsorship
personnel of real-time events such as stage and is not yet law. Be sure
a fire condition. to listen for information on this
important subject as it is debated
Have you considered talking with in Congress. In the meantime, call
your school districts about vehicle on your school districts. Many are
fire suppression systems for school aware of the NTSB report and the
buses? Last summer, the NTSB issued legislation moving in Congress, and
a report on a tragic school bus fire in they might just be ready to say yes
Iowa where, sadly, the bus driver and when you ask them if they have
a student lost their lives to a fire in considered making their fleet safer
the vehicle. The NTSB report on the for operators and passengers with
fire concluded that a fire suppression Amerex fire suppression systems on
system offers major safety benefits in their buses.
helping prevent unnecessary deathMILITARY
SYSTEMS
Amerex teamed with Milton We had very good traffic all three
Manufacturing to display our vehicle days with key end-users coming by to
system capabilities, including the meet the team and discuss potential
all-important crew cab system that we opportunities or products coming to
currently provide to Oshkosh Defense
for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle
(JLTV), purchased by the U.S. military.
We also showed wheeled units with
high demand in the military, the
model 775 3M™ Novec™ 1230 and
model B674 Halotron. We showcased
this equipment in our newly created,
dedicated booth, and it was well-
Toward the end of 2019, the received at the show.
Amerex Defense team, Vice President
of Sales and Marketing Ben Pitts and
Regional Sales Manager John Foley
attended the three-day Association
of the U.S. Army (AUSA) Show in market. Many of our customers were
Washington, D.C. This show is probably also there with their own booths,
the biggest show in the world to showing their products as well as
showcase current defense products ours. Several foreign government
available in the marketplace. This representatives stopped by to see
year, the AUSA show had more than what we had to offer. It continues
37,000 attendees. Pictured above are to be an exciting time at Amerex
Ken Mier, Amerex Defense General Defense, and we look forward to what
Manager, John Foley and Tad Halcomb, 2020 has to offer.
Amerex Defense Sales Manager.ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
From small, everyday actions to major process investments, Amerex is committed to being a good
environmental steward. Here are just some of the steps we’ve taken to ensure our operations are
sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Since 1971, we’ve recycled steel, aluminum, brass and paper scrap and waste.
We annually recycle more than 525 tons of scrap aluminum, brass, stainless steel and steel.
Since 2004, we’ve been ISO 14001 certified. Amerex was the first fire extinguisher manufacturer
in the industry to earn this environmental certification. Amerex is currently certified to the new
ISO 14001:2015 standard.
Important factors in gaining and maintaining these certifications include our on-site waste
water treatment, oil filtration and recycling, air emissions reduction efforts, closed loop system
for reduction of water usage and our status as having both a very small quantity of hazardous
waste and a low-VOC generator.
Finally, everybody’s favorite: we annually sponsor a fantastic fry team in the Cahaba River
Society’s Cahaba Fry-Down fundraiser.
POCKET ENGINEER
Keep important Amerex information at your fingertips via the McWane Pocket
Engineer app or by visiting pe.mcwane.com.
WHY AMEREX
Quality Innovation Service
Amerex didn’t become a global Because Amerex is independently Amerex was founded upon a
market leader overnight. Our owned and forward thinking, we mutual appreciation for premium
business has grown year after are continuously innovating and quality in products and customer
year based on our products’ investing for the benefit of our service and the importance of
reputation for performance customers and those they serve. interpersonal relations.
and durability in even the most
rugged environments.
amerex fire @amerex_fire @amerex_fire amerex fireYou can also read
