Amerex
| File:Amerex-logo.jpg | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Fire protection |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Founder | Ned Paine George Baureis |
| Headquarters | Trussville, Alabama, U.S. |
Key people | Harrison Bishop (president) |
| Products | Fire extinguishers, fire alarms, gas detectors |
Number of employees | 500 (2011) |
| Parent | McWane, Inc. |
| Website | www |
Amerex Corporation stands as a prominent U.S. manufacturer specializing in firefighting equipment, headquartered in Trussville, Alabama. Its product lineup includes both portable and wheeled fire extinguishers tailored for commercial and industrial sectors. The company also designs fire and explosion suppression solutions specifically for military vehicles.[1]Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Beyond extinguishers, Amerex offers systems for restaurant fire suppression, as well as devices for gas and fire detection. In 1999, the firm became a subsidiary of McWane, Inc..
History
Established in 1971 by Ned Paine and George Baureis, Amerex’s foundation is linked to Paine’s World War II experience during which he conceived a chemical fire extinguisher system. He engineered a pressurized apparatus that released a chemical agent to displace oxygen and suppress flames effectively. Paine continued his involvement with Amerex until his retirement in 1999—the same year the company was acquired by McWane.
In 2010, Amerex entered the military contracting arena by creating sophisticated fire suppression technologies installed on U.S. military vehicles exposed to threats like mines and improvised explosive devices in the Middle East. Acting as a subcontractor for the Oshkosh Corporation, Amerex supplies fire safety equipment that incorporates optical sensors capable of immediate fire detection and triggering concealed suppression nozzles.[2]
The company's growth strategy included acquiring The Solberg Company, a Norwegian producer of firefighting apparatus, in 2011.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Former president Bill Beyer noted that sales of Amerex’s fire extinguishers tend to reflect broader economic conditions and patterns of new construction.[2]
Each year, Amerex manufactures roughly 2.5 million fire extinguishers designed for commercial and industrial use.[1]