2009 Brings New Fire Safety Product Offering from Kidde and Firex

Mebane, NC, January 5, 2009 - The New Year holds new opportunities for customers of Kidde Residential & Commercial (Kidde) and FireX®, as the two consolidate all of their business systems into one complete line of commercial and industrial fire safety products.
 
This consolidation comes after a year of hard work by both companies to integrate their products and processes following the acquisition of FireX by Kidde in December 2007.
 
 “Our goal is to provide our customers with the best fire safety products available, and we feel that the process we have gone through offers the best of both individual companies,” said Sean Curley, vice-president of commercial sales for Kidde R&C. “FireX has a long-standing reputation for quality, while Kidde is seen as an innovator in technology. Uniting the two enables us to offer a more diverse selection of products and serve a broader base of customers.”
 
 Beginning on January 1, 2009, all Kidde and FireX systems – including warehouse and distribution, customer service and products – will merge under the Kidde brand. The FireX name will transition to that of a sub-brand for all professional hardwired detection products. 

“Electrical distributors and their customers recognize and trust the FireX name, so it was important that we incorporate it into the overall Kidde brand identity,” said Curley. Kidde will unveil new packaging within Q1 of 2009 that reflects these branding changes.
 
In keeping with this new branding approach, Kidde plans to introduce several new products throughout the year that will continue to broaden its product offering, enabling contractors to buy and install the most diverse selection available in all price categories.

“We realize that many contractors will be looking for alternative ways to maintain their business until housing starts and new construction picks up again, and we believe that these new products will help support their efforts by offering repair and replacement opportunities,” said Curley.
 
All stocking distributors will receive new product binders featuring each of the product categories offered during the first quarter of 2009. In addition, Kidde’s website is being updated to reflect the changes mentioned above, and to offer electrical customers more information on this consolidation.