MSA Promotes Steve Blanco to President of Americas Business Segment

As President of MSA Americas, Mr. Blanco will now be responsible for all of the company's business interests in Latin America, while continuing to oversee MSA's operations in the U.S. and Canada.

Mr. Blanco joined MSA in 2012 as Vice President of Global Operational Excellence, a role in which he led the implementation of best-in-class practices that helped advance the effectiveness and efficiency of MSA's global manufacturing operations.  As Vice President and General Manager for MSA's U.S. and Canada business, Mr. Blanco oversaw a number of strategic initiatives that helped the region achieve key goals, highlighted by operating margin expansion, the successful delivery ramp-up for MSA's market-leading G1 self-contained breathing apparatus, and helping the company's Americas segment achieve more than 20 percent growth in fall protection revenue in the first six months of 2017.

Prior to joining MSA, Mr. Blanco worked for Eaton Corporation, a global and diversified power management company, as Vice President of Manufacturing for the company's $7 billion Electrical Sector.  Before that, he worked for Ford Motor Company and Visteon, serving in a variety of engineering, plant management and operations roles. An engineer by trade, Mr. Blanco earned a bachelor's of science degree in mechanical engineering technology from Purdue University, and he holds an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University.      

In his new role, Mr. Blanco will remain located in Cranberry Township, Pa., at the company's global headquarters.

About MSA Safety

Established in 1914, MSA Safety Incorporated is the global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of safety products that protect people and facility infrastructures. Many MSA products integrate a combination of electronics, mechanical systems and advanced materials to protect users against hazardous or life-threatening situations. The company's comprehensive product line is used by workers around the world in a broad range of markets, including the oil, gas and petrochemical industry, the fire service, the construction industry, mining and the military. MSA's core products include self-contained breathing apparatus, fixed gas and flame detection systems, portable gas detection instruments, industrial head protection products, fire and rescue helmets, and fall protection devices. With 2016 revenues of     $1.15 billion, MSA employs approximately 4,300 people worldwide. The company is headquartered north of Pittsburgh in Cranberry Township, Pa., and has manufacturing operations in the United States, Europe, Asia and Latin America. With more than 40 international locations, MSA realizes approximately half of its revenue from outside North America. For more information visit MSA's web site at www.MSAsafety.com.

SOURCE MSA

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http://www.msasafety.com