MSA's pioneering product development culture, which integrates creative thinking and innovative processes to solve workplace challenges that put people at risk, has helped the company to establish its global product leadership position in the safety market. The Product Development Management Association (PDMA) recognized MSA's company-wide commitment to innovation and continuous development with its Outstanding Corporate Innovator (OCI) award.

The new product development approach at MSA is unique and provides employees with the opportunity to participate in a process that not only leverages the company's global organizational structure and existing and emerging technologies, but also utilizes pioneering market research and Voice-of-the-Customer (VOC) feedback methods to develop innovative, cutting-edge products that advance the state-of-the-art in safety protection.

MSA Executives Talk Product Excellence

MSA's commitment to people - both employees and customers - is evident in the value the company places on the highest standards of integrity and business ethics. Throughout its history, the company has adhered to clearly defined ethical standards for business practices, provided ethical leadership to its employees, and sustained high levels of community and charitable involvement. The Pittsburgh chapter of the Society of Financial Service Professionals and the University of Pittsburgh's David Berg Center for Ethics and Leadership recognized MSA's commitment to business ethics with its prestigious Pittsburgh Business Ethics Award.

At MSA, employees work in a truly ethical organization, where an individual's talent, creativity, and initiative can shine. Treating each other and customers with the utmost integrity is a value that grew out of the founders' passion for protecting people working in hazardous conditions, where honesty and ethical behavior were imperative. That tradition continues today, and MSA management expects employees to do the right thing, even when the ethical choice carries a cost.

MSA is a clear example of how a company that values its people, promotes innovation, and demands the highest ethical standards will achieve success. MSA has succeeded on the balance sheet - growing to become the global leader in providing innovative, sophisticated equipment, systems, and products to the safety market - and in the eyes of the business community. The Pittsburgh Business Times recognized MSA's adherence to best practices by honoring the company with its Manufacturer of the Year award.

Integrity is the cornerstone of everything we do at MSA in our quest to be the leading innovator and provider of sophisticated safety products that protect and improve worker health, safety and the environment.

The company was founded in 1914 by two mine safety engineers, John T. Ryan, Sr., and George H. Deike, Sr., whose passion and commitment was to do everything they could to protect the lives of underground coal miners. While our business and markets have changed significantly over the years, our commitment to doing business the right way has not. At MSA we have a legacy of ethical conduct, and our associates uphold this legacy through their actions each day.

Two of MSA's North American manufacturing facilities have been recognized as a "Star Site" by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration's Vouluntary Protection Program. Star Site certification distinguishes facilities that have safety programs actively driven by employees, have injury and illness rates at or below national averages and are self-sufficient in their ability to control workplace hazards.

Focusing on customers and understanding their diverse safety needs has been part of MSA’s mission since 1914. MSA dedicates significant resources to research which allows the company to develop a keen understanding of customer safety requirements for a diverse range of markets. Today we are driven by a new customer service promise that reminds all of us “We make the world safer, one person at a time.”

 

MSA's Senior Management and employees in all locations are committed to strengthening their local communities. MSA's Charitable Foundation manages volunteer efforts, monetary, and other types of donations to area communities.

A Passion to Protect.When disasters or emergencies strike, MSA stays true to its core values and makes every effort to assist fire departments and Emergency Management Service units with rescue operations.

When punishing rains hit Southwestern Pennsylvania in September 2004 and caused the worst flooding in decades, MSA delivered approximately 6,000 air-purifying respirators, along with safety eyewear, coveralls and first aid kits to local American Red Cross centers. The equipment helped protect the thousands of home owners and volunteers in the Pittsburgh region involved in flood clean-up from exposure to non-toxic dust, mold and mold spores generated from excess water.

Corporate Involvement. MSA actively supports the United Way - both at an employee and corporate level. In addition to significant individual employee contributions, MSA donates multiple times that amount to the United Way in the company's home community of Pittsburgh, PA. Annual financial contributions and donations to the United Way total nearly $1 million.

The MSA family is committed to continuously exploring ways to advance its mission of enabling men and women to work and live in safety throughout the world.