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Summer 2011 n Page Four the For Generations McWANEWAY For Generations McWane’s Amerex Acquires Solberg: A Publication of McWane, Inc. n 2011 Bringing the Best Home & Making Firefighting Even Better Q&A WITH RUFFNER PAGE, JR. PRESIDENT OF McWANE, INC. ometimes the best way to beat the competi- S tion is to buy it. Just ask Dennis Kennedy, Ruffner Page sits down to talk about A: It’s like a yardstick, it’s going to help us We shouldn’t have to reinvent the wheel again the Solberg Company’s newest general manager. the latest improvements at McWane, measure how well we performed across all of and again at each of our facilities. McWane’s fire suppression company, Amerex, and the opportunities ahead. our businesses in all areas, like Environmental, Q: How important is all of this? purchased Solberg this year. Health and Safety (EHS), in Sales, Shipping, Ac- A: McWane is setting the pace for our indus- Bergen, -based Solberg is the world’s Q: In the last decade, McWane has remade itself counting, Financial, Operations. In every corner try. We’ve been asked by the government to premier manufacturer of environmentally friend- to be the industry leader, pioneering environmen- of our work and environment. It’s all encompass- host foreign delegations, to demonstrate what ly firefighting foam. It’s fluorine-free mix sets it tal, health and safety improvements while boost- ing and it’s going to make us better – because leading edge and design looks apart from all other firefighting foams, all toxic ing productivity. How will McWane continue to you get better to what you pay attention to. like. We’re keeping industry churning in and typically requiring environmental reporting stay on top? Q: So it’s important that the dashboards be America, and expand- and remediation following use. Needless to say, A: The McWane Way is about continuously im- shared by management with everyone, so every- ing around the world. this makes working with the stuff hazardous and proving, always looking for ways for all of us one across McWane knows how we’re doing? And it’s vital we don’t training with it out of the question. to do our jobs more effectively. In that spirit, A: Exactly. It’s going to be a great way for each lose our edge. Staying “As a former competitor, we were hoping Sol- we’ve just created a new tool for helping all of us of us to gauge our performance. It will help us on top requires each of berg would stay in Europe and not come to Amer- across McWane’s family of companies measure recognize the good work we’re doing, to improve us to be paying atten- ica. It’s safe and non-toxic. It’s as good as it gets,” our gains. It will help us to see what we’re doing what’s not optimal, and help managers prioritize. tion. We’ve been doing said Kennedy, who had briefly been at McWane’s well and where we can improve even more. It’s That’s a big one for me. And it will help our an amazing job, but we Amerex unit before transferring to McWane’s called a dashboard, and it’s a metric of success managers run our businesses in a holistic way. If know to never rest on newest addition. Before joining Amerex, Kenne- that managers across the company are urged to one company is doing a really phenomenal job, our laurels. It’s truly dy had logged some three decades in firefighting share with their teams. for instance, in shipping, that success should be exciting. This will help product development and sales. “We should have Q: How will the dashboards work, exactly? shared across McWane, so everyone can learn. keep us on top. G. Ruffner Page Jr. U.S. certification done and have the first batch of Firefighting foam is typically used in fuel Norwegian Ministry of the Environment.

products out in the U.S. [by the Fall].” fires, in chemical and paint fires and by the oil The new and improved foam will be manu- Certification by Underwriters Laboratory will and gas industry. Some foams are so toxic that factured right here in the U.S., at the new open the U.S. marketplace to Solberg’s foam. their remains and residues need to be cleared and facility in Green Bay that will feature offices, CONGRATULATIONS 2011 McWANE SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS! And a new, roughly 20,000 square foot campus in incinerated following use. Not Solberg’s. It is manufacturing facilities and a state-of-the-art Green Bay, Wisconsin will manufacture, test and so effective and biodegradable that firefighting lab and educational facility for testing and e are proud to report that, to date, the McWane Scholarship Program has award- improve on the original recipe. It’s the McWane crews will be able to train with the same mate- also improving firefighting foam technology. W ed $262,000 to deserving students since its inception in 2005. Administered by Way: taking something good and making it better. rials they use in the field—a quantum leap for Solberg’s commitment to quality has made the Community Foundation of Birmingham, the program allows McWane to support That equally applies to the best firefighting foam public safety. How safe and clean is it? Solberg’s integration into the McWane family seamless, team members in their efforts to provide their children with an education—one of the in the world, like Solberg’s, which enjoys patent firefighting foam research and manufacturing from Bergen, Norway, to Solberg’s Sydney greatest gifts of all. protection across Europe, Asia and the Americas operation recently won Eco-Lighthouse certi- facility and, now, to Green Bay. The winners of the 2011 McWane Scholarships are: and is already attracting the global market. fication—a prestigious award supported by the Welcome home, Solberg. CLow Valve Acie Glassford, son of Dennis Glassford (Arc Melt Operator at the CV Metal Casting Facility) AMEREX Zachary Hassler, son of Beverly Hassler (Credit Administrator) OVER 40 AT TYLER PIPE—WHERE BUILT TO LAST IS TAKEN SERIOUSLY AMEREX Renee Henderson, daughter of Jeff Henderson (VP Sales-Seattle, WA) ome forty years ago the Beatles broke up, computer floppy M&H Keonia Hubbard, daughter of James Hubbard S disks were introduced and the cost of a gallon of gasoline (Computer Numeric Control Operator) was 36 cents. And a group of five men and women joined what is MTE Jeremy Mangas , son of Gerry Mangas (QC Coordinator) now the Tyler Pipe plant in Marshfield, MO. CROSSVILLE It was 1970 and 1971, eight presidents and four owers of AB&I Marina Reyes, daughter of Armando Reyes Tyler Pipe ago. Whether they knew it then or not, Harry Led- (Inventory Controller in Cast Finishing) gerwood, Bill Kays, Kay Peppel, Marlene Moody and Jack Ter- AMEREX Joshua Sharpe, son of Michelle Putnam rill were about to join another family. Today all five are still (Small Parts Processor) McWane Scholarship Applications: part of the Tyler Pipe family and, happily, part of our extended CLOW WATER Kimberly Sycks, daughter of Jeff Sycks (Dept. Engineer) Applications are accepted during any year of a student’s college career. McWane family too. MTE ELKHART Andrew Wiseman, son of Bruce Wiseman For next year’s scholarship, pick up an application from your Human We are thrilled to acknowledge the dedication of these (Swingperson-Plant 3 Weld Line) Resources Department. The deadline for scholarship applications next 40-Year-Plus Tyler veterans and wholeheartedly congratulate MTE year is January 15, 2012. The dedicated “Over 40” team of Tyler Pipe: Bill Kays, Jack Terrill, Marlene Moody, Kay Peppel and Harry Ledgerwood them for their commitment to quality and teamwork. CROSSVILLE Cassie Wyatt, daughter of Bert Wyatt (Lift Truck Operator)

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Summer 2011 n Page Two Summer 2011 n Page Three

For Generations For Generations

2010 ENVIRONMENTAL, Manchester Tank and Frank Lane: HEALTH & SAFETY AWARDS Built to Last, Not To Wear Out Fast ACCESS TO McWANE: ongratulations to the winners of the 2010 Environmental, We value your input CHealth & Safety (EHS) Awards for your exemplary performance here could come a day, not tomorrow but waste to throw away cylinders and buy new ones and outstanding achievements. We’re also proud that all of our McWane T no doubt down the road, when Frank Lane for small appliances.” team members continue to make great strides in keeping McWane at the will be credited with eliminating an entire class of Following his time in the retail propane busi- o you have any suggestions? Comments? Concerns? forefront of our industry in EHS excellence. waste now filling up our nation’s landfills. Lane, ness, and his nearly 10 years with Manchester D Anything to share about your job, employee safety, health, environment or our communities? We’re all ears! Manchester Tank & Equipment Co.’s Director Tank, Frank’s brainchild was unveiled at April’s EHS Excellence Award: of Research and Development, has been nurtur- NPGA Southeastern Convention & International Call the Access Line at (877) 231-0904, a toll-free line man- Manchester Tank & Equipment Co. ing his remarkable idea since 2005 and finally Propane Expo. If ever a cylinder deserved a stand- aged by the McWane corporate office. Calls are answered by Elkhart, Indiana unveiled it officially this Spring: a refillable one- ing ovation, this was it. professionals who will take information about your concerns pound propane cylinder. Going green doesn’t simply mean being more and respect your privacy. Translators are available and confi- Outstanding Health & Safety Performance: For those who have ever gone camping, or efficient, using less energy and reducing emissions dentiality is assured. All McWane Clow Water Systems ever had to solder a water line, you know the rou- —it also means making things durable instead companies adhere to a strict policy tine: plug in your propane tank, use it up, throw of disposable. This means making quality prod- prohibiting retribution to callers on out your cylinder. What a waste, right? Most Improved ucts that stand the test of time, that pass the the Access Line. Recordable Injury Rate: That’s what Frank thought too. McWane test. Need to share a work-related Foundry: AB&I Foundry “I used torches for soldering water and “Manchester Tank and its parent company, concern? Report that concern to your Fabrication: Clow Valve-Corona refrigeration lines, and for lighting pilots,” he McWane, Inc., take their commitment to the supervisor or to the HR Department. said. “My greatest frustration was when I ran out environment seriously,” said Larry Whitehead, If you’re more comfortable reporting Outstanding Environmental of propane for my torches. I thought it was such a Performance: Manchester Tank’s President. your concerns to a third party or you Foundry: Bibby Ste. Croix and Founderie Laperle don’t wish to identify yourself, con- Fabrication: Tyler Coupling and Clow tact the McWane Access Line—24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Making A Difference For Outstanding Environmental Progress: Foundry: Kennedy Valve the Environment

or ages in our industry, wet paint has been mentally friendly improvements. M&H Valve’s prevented us from hosting a celebratory ground- McWANE KEEPS GETTING BIGGER AND BETTER F applied to much of what comes out of found- new large valve powder coat system features breaking, but there’s plenty of reason to welcome ries. But it doesn’t have to be. a PEM P300 pressure washer and washer bay the Greenwood Park project. The park will cap The McWane Way is about more than alongside three gas-fueled ovens, a Powder Coat a storm water management improvement effort ur big McWane family has grown even big- ing foam. Its commitment to the environment received wisdom, of course—it’s about always Booth and precision spray equipment and a Rap- that will convert vacant land into a triumph of O ger in the last year. And wouldn’t you know makes Solberg a perfect addition to the McWane looking to make things better. This spirit has istak Stacker Crane. mother-nature-friendly engineering. it: our newest additions are equally committed to family, as is Solberg’s tireless efforts to always Consent been fully embraced at M&H Valve Company, It’s all quite impressive to behold. While the public will no doubt delight in the quality, safety, efficiency and sustainability. improve on its success. Solberg’s entry on the which in April of this year finished work on a The ovens are designed to operate at 550 3,600-foot walking trail, educational facilities, We expect the best from ourselves every day, team positions Amerex for swift access to new, Decree new system that replaces the wet paint process degrees Fahrenheit, and the assembly has been trees and stream, they will also benefit from the and the same is true for the new companies that expansive markets. with a powder coating process*. certified to handle up to 5,400 pounds of load. natural filtration of the bio-retention cells, native join us. In December 2010, McWane purchased a n July 14, 2010 a consent decree “But paint?” you ask. Yes, even a change to It was a major undertaking, complete with a shrubs and grasses and underground piping— In March 2011, Amerex acquired Solberg majority stake in a Chile-based cylinder manu- Obetween McWane and the EPA the way we coat our final products can make a minor setback when a contractor dropped part which will remove up to 85 percent of pollutants Scandinavian AS, a global leader and world- facturing and refurbishment operation, newly was lodged in the U.S. District Court big difference. of the crane during construction. Thankfully, from the watershed flowing into Village Creek, class innovator in firefighting foam technology. dubbed MTE Cemcogas SA. The potential The improvement slashed hazardous air pol- the manufacturer stepped in and made repairs. including zinc, copper, oil, grease, pesticides and Amerex—the U.S. leader in fire suppression growth opportunities presented by the venture are for the Northern District of . lutant emissions by 12 percent across the entire And when the final screw was tightened, the other compounds. systems, from military vehicles in Afghani- vast, particularly for Manchester Tank and other You can obtain a copy of the M&H facility in Anniston, AL, and cut by half last panel installed and the ultimate item ticked We’re thrilled about these “good ideas come stan to firehouses back home—strikes a perfect McWane divisions. This acquisition expands our the amount of coating related emissions. Where off the checklist, the cost of this supplemental to life,” and the others we have in the pipeline. match with Solberg, whose firefighting foam and combined geographic reach while expanding and Consent Decree on the McWane there once were two drums of hazardous waste environmental project was $502,730—more than And as always, we’re grateful to the EPA for research division recently won an esteemed diversifying our high quality product lines. EHS Dashboard or from your generated on site, there will soon be zero. 25 percent below budget! allowing us to invest in these community- environmental award in Europe. We are getting bigger, and we’re also getting That’s a big difference. It isn’t the only supplement environmental enhancing projects. Solberg is recognized throughout Europe better. Joining the McWane Team means being a local HR Department. As part of McWane’s 2010 landmark agree- project McWane started this year, either. We also *These projects were undertaken in connection with the settlement and Asia for its environmentally sustainable cut above the rest. And we’re thrilled our newest ment with the U.S. Environmental Protection began the construction of Greenwood Park in of an enforcement action, et al v. McWane, Inc., taken fluorosurfactant and fluoropolymer-free prod- additions keep up our tradition of quality—and on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to enforce Agency, we are pleased to unveil new, environ- North Birmingham. Tornados and fierce storms federal environmental laws. ucts, a marvel of innovation in Class B firefight- our expectations for excellence.