MARCH 5–CRANSTON, R.I.–Arbin Personal Protection B.V. of Venlo in The Netherlands is the latest strategic acquisition by North Safety Products.

As part of its strategy to build market share, North sought a company with respiratory products to complement the extensive product lines in the North family of companies.

The acquisition of Arbin Personal Protection bolsters North Safety’s respiratory product offering with a powered-air purifying respirator (PAPR) line and additional cartridge and filter manufacturing, including canisters for protection against chemical and biological agents. The Arbin organization and products will be consolidated into North Safety Products over the next few months.

“In this time of uncertainty, the acquisition of Arbin greatly enhances our ability to provide products suitable for use in response to weapons of mass destruction incidents, in addition to numerous industrial applications,” says Sid Ellis, North’s president.

Nino Granatiero, North’s director of marketing and product development, agrees, adding that the acquisition of Arbin is a “natural fit in our overall respiratory product line strategy and enhances the air-purifying offering with a PAPR product.”