Broken Arrow, Okla. (June 18, 2008) – To maximize service and support for customers, Oklahoma Safety Equipment Co., Inc. (Oseco), a leading manufacturer of pressure relief devices, has appointed Mathieu Hawksworth as Regional Sales Manager.

Hawksworth will be handling the Great Lakes region as well as Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia and Kentucky, assisting customers and manufacturing representatives with technical information and support.  He will work closely with end users to help them select, install and use Oseco’s rupture disks, rupture panels and pressure relief accessories.

Before his position at Oseco, Hawksworth was responsible for sales and marketing for Air Power Systems (Tulsa, Okla.), a manufacturer of pneumatic cylinders, controls and valves for the mobile, truck equipment and automotive markets.  Hawksworth holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Oklahoma State University (Stillwater, Okla.).

“Mathieu’s previous position in outside sales serving OEMs and distributors makes him a prime candidate for this position,” said Oseco Chief Operating Officer, Bryan Sanderlin.  “His experience with marketing planning, customer support and service will allow him to supply our customers with a high level of service.”

Broken Arrow, Oklahoma (June 5, 2008) – To provide precision pressure relief for applications where hygiene and sanitation are concerns, Oklahoma Safety Equipment Co., Inc. (Oseco), a leader in pressure relief innovation, introduces the MVRB (Metal Vent Reverse Buckling) rupture panel.

 The MVRB can avert catastrophic explosions caused by overpressures in dust collectors, conveyor systems, dryers and other equipment requiring precise pressure relief.  Its smooth surface prevents product buildup and contamination, making it well-suited for hygienic and sanitary services.  The non-fragmenting design increases process safety in the event of panel rupture.  The MVRB is compatible with a wide range of environments, performing consistently in high temperature applications up to 700ºF.

The MVRB is designed for high operating ratio applications in the power generation, pharmaceutical, transportation and chemical markets.  It is the only rupture panel available that has a 90% operating ratio – a design feature that is essential in demanding applications in order to avoid premature panel rupture.  With reduced nuisance failures, the panel life of the MVRB is longer than that of typical panels.

The round panels are constructed from stainless steel, nickel inconel or monel, and are available in diameters from 12 to 36 inches.  The MVRB should be installed using a custom designed rolled angle ring configuration. Custom sizes, materials, and panels designed to withstand vacuum are also available upon request.

Broken Arrow, Oklahoma (April 18, 2008) –  The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) has appointed Alan Wilson of Oseco to the ASME Codes and Standards Committee for Performance Test Code 25 Pressure Relief Devices, beginning April 2008 through June 2012.  As a member of the committee, Wilson will be responsible for reviewing, refining and producing the rules that govern the testing and acceptance of ASME-approved pressure relief devices.

Wilson has 19 years of experience with the rupture disk manufacturer, Oseco.  As Oseco’s R&D and Field Service Manager, Wilson is responsible for managing the development and testing of new rupture disk designs, custom applications, failure analysis and field work.  Wilson is also responsible for sales and customer support, education and trouble-shooting. 

Besides his extensive work experience, Wilson has written and illustrated articles for Chemical Engineering Magazine and The AIChe Technical Manual, and been named as Inventor on several rupture disk patents.  His qualifications include a Master of Business Administration from Oklahoma City University (Oklahoma City, OK) and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Design from Oklahoma State University (Stillwater, OK).  He has completed additional classes in TRIZ*, Innovation and Creativity, Management Skills, Advanced Emergency Relief System Design, Managing Reactive Chemicals and Dust Explosion Hazards, and Project Management Skills.

“This new responsibility will give me the opportunity to apply my knowledge and experience to developing the rules that maintain a high standard of quality in pressure relief systems,” says Wilson.

* A model-based technique for generating innovative ideas and solutions for problem solving.

Leading pressure relief expert, Oklahoma Safety Equipment Co., Inc. (Oseco), will feature its MVRB (Metal Vent Reverse Buckling) rupture panel at the International Powder and Bulk Solids Conference, May 6-8 in Rosemont, IL.

The MVRB is specifically designed for food and grain, dry goods packaging and storage applications.  The rupture panel protects dust collectors, bag houses, conveyor systems, dryers, pulverizers and most other equipment that requires precise overpressure protection. With reduced nuisance failures, the panel life of the MVRB is longer than that of typical panels.

The smooth surface of the MVRB prevents product buildup and contamination, making this panel well-suited for hygienic and sanitary services.  The non-fragmenting design increases process safety in the event of panel rupture.  The MVRB is available in a variety of standard sizes and materials.  Custom sizes, materials, and panels designed to withstand vacuum are also available upon request. 

In addition to the MVRB, Oseco’s full line of precision rupture disks, panels and vents will be on display at the company’s booth, 2442.

Broken Arrow, Oklahoma (January 15, 2008) –  Further committing to the growth of their industrial safety group, Halma Holdings Inc. has promoted Joe Ragosta from president of bursting disc manufacturer Oklahoma Safety Equipment Company (Oseco), to business development director for bursting disks.

As business development director, Ragosta will be responsible for identifying, investigating and implementing opportunities for further growth in the bursting disk and pressure relief markets through acquisitions, strategic alliances, joint ventures and expansion worldwide.  Additionally, Ragosta will work with existing subsidiaries to develop new products and find new markets for bursting discs.

Ragosta has served for eight years as president of Halma company Oseco.  During his tenure, Oseco was chosen from over 40 Halma subsidiaries for the 2007 Company of the Year Award.  The annual award recognizes the company within the group with the best all around performance over the past three years, good governance and strong overall management.  Oseco has demonstrated a continuous investment in personnel development and innovation, resulting in improvements in its manufacturing operations.

Before his position at Oseco, Ragosta was the GM and senior VP of Graver Technologies (Glasgow, DE), a manufacturer of water, chemical, pharmaceutical and food product purification equipment, and president of Ionex Consulting Services (Tully, NY), a consulting business for fluid processing.  Ragosta holds a Ph.D. and Master of Science in Inorganic Chemistry from Cornell University (Ithaca, NY), as well as a Bachelor of Science from Pennsylvania State University (State College, PA).

“I look forward to applying the knowledge and experience in the bursting disk industry that I have accrued over the past eight years to assist me throughout my new appointment.  I’m excited about the challenge of developing Halma’s bursting disk companies throughout local and international markets,” says Ragosta.

Broken Arrow, Oklahoma (October 3, 2007) – Leading rupture disk manufacturer Oseco will be exhibiting pressure relief technology at the Chemical Processing Industry’s Chem Show, October 30 - November 1 at the Javits Convention Center, New York, New York.  The highlight of Oseco’s exhibit at booth number 1539 will be the Deltaflow, a new switchover valve that minimizes plant down time in overpressure situations.

In pressure vessels and piping, relieving over pressures before they reach potentially dangerous proportions safeguards personnel from injury and equipment from damage.  However, when a rupture disk bursts to relieve an over pressure, it can mean process downtime.  Oseco has solved this problem with the Deltaflow, allowing customers to use dual relief devices and eliminate process shut downs. When the disk on one side of the Deltaflow breaks, a reserve disk can be placed into service immediately by actuating the valve.  The ruptured disk can then be replaced without system shut down.

In addition to the Deltaflow, Oseco’s full line of precision rupture disks, rupture panels and sensors will be on display at the show. Visitors may register to win a DVD player at the company’s booth, 1539, until the winner is drawn on the last day of the show.

Oseco was chosen from among nearly 40 Halma subsidiaries from all over the world.  While one of the criteria is significant growth in sales and profits, the award also takes into account good governance and overall management.  Oseco has demonstrated a continuous investment in personnel development and innovation, resulting in improvements in its manufacturing operations.

“I was especially honored that Oseco was chosen for this award knowing the caliber of the competition within the Halma group,” said Oseco President Joe Ragosta.  “It is definitely a reflection of the hard work and exceptional contributions of our staff.  With the talented, dedicated team of employees we have in place, I’m excited about our prospects for continued success in the coming years.”

In addition the Halma Company of the Year Award, Oseco was recognized as one of only four companies in the group to generate five consistent years of profit growth. 

Broken Arrow, Oklahoma (September 13, 2007) – Leading rupture disk manufacturer, Oklahoma Safety Equipment Co., Inc., (Oseco) has recognized the success of three of its representatives with expanded United States sales territories.  The Carr Company, Controls and Instrumentation, and Trinova will continue to provide sales and service for the company’s rupture disks, rupture panels, and other pressure relief products in their newly assigned areas.

The Carr Company has provided service to Oseco customers in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts since 2005.  Their territory has been recently expanded to include Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.  The Connecticut based manufacturer’s representative firm promotes industrial safety through overpressure protection; process instrumentation measuring pressure, temperature, level & flow; tank blanketing; flame arrestment and deflagration venting equipment.  Contact: sales@carrcoltd.com; 860-657-3466.

Controls and Instrumentation (www.cicpro.com) has provided service to Oseco customers in North and South Carolina, eastern Tennessee, Georgia and Florida since 1999.  Virginia has now been added to their territory list. The North Carolina company has specialized in vapor control, hazardous material handling and liquid process equipment for over 20 years.  Contact: sales@cicpro.com; 704-786-1700.

Trinova (www.trinovainc.com) has provided service to Oseco customers in Alabama since 2003.  The company will now also cover parts of Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas.  Trinova is headquartered in Alabama with a team of sales and service experts situated in the regions they serve. The company has been helping customers with measurement and process challenges for more than 60 years with products, services and hands-on training.  Contact: sales@trinovainc.com; 251-378-7837.

Broken Arrow, Oklahoma (August 24, 2007) – In response to growing product demand, leading rupture disk manufacturer, Oklahoma Safety Equipment Co., Inc., (Oseco) has appointed three new representatives to provide sales and service support to customers in the United States.  Columbine Controls, I&C Sales North and Niagara Controls will carry Oseco’s line of rupture disks, rupture panels, and other pressure relief products.

Oseco’s customers in the chemical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, power, food & beverage, plastics, defense, and pulp and paper industries can now benefit from a knowledgeable, local contact.  Representatives are factory trained by Oseco in the latest rupture disk products and technology.

Columbine Controls of Centennial Colo. will serve customers in Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, Montana, Utah and Idaho.  The company’s sales team has provided expert service to the power, oil and gas, municipal water, mining, and engineering industries for nearly 20 years. Contact: columbine@msn.com; 303-680-0775.  

I&C Sales North (www.icsalesnorth.com) of Southgate, Mich., will serve customers in Michigan.  The company has over 25 years of experience representing manufacturers of process instrumentation and controls.  Their knowledgeable service begins with thorough application analysis and equipment recommendations and continues with after sale service and repair.  Contact: info@icssalesnorth.com; 734-283-6599.

Niagara Controls will serve customers in upstate New York.  A division of Collins Pipe and Supply Company, Niagara represents several world-class manufacturers of industrial valves and engineered products.  Contact: sales@niagaracontrols.com; 716-853-6400.

Becker will serve customers and distributors throughout his region from his base in London, England, offering technical and sales support for Oseco’s complete product line.  He will work closely with end users to help them select, install, and use the company’s rupture disks, rupture panels, and pressure relief accessories. 

Becker will also continue to develop Oseco’s distributor network within his assigned territory.  He will be responsible for training new and existing distributors, ensuring a thorough understanding of Oseco’s products and applications in order to provide the best possible technical advice to end users.

In addition to fluency in English, Dutch, German and French, Becker  brings a high level of technical sales experience to his new position at Oseco.  Most recently, he served as Export Sales Manager for pelletizing equipment manufacturer, AMN Group (Notre Dame de Gravenchon, France).  During his six years with AMN, Becker managed key accounts and a network of distributors and agents in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.  In addition, he played an instrumental role in establishing the company’s US sales and maintenance operations. 

Becker earned Masters and Bachelors degrees in International Business Administration from IFI (Institute of International Business Studies - Group ESC) (Rouen, France).  Prior to IFI, he completed Economical Studies at Thomas a Kempis College (Zwolle, Netherlands) and obtained his primary education at RSG (Steenwijk, Netherlands).

“Serge’s strong multicultural experience and multilingual fluency will be great assets in establishing enduring customer relationships,” said Oseco President, Joe Ragosta.  “His technical experience with precision engineered products and systems, coupled with his understanding of differing cultures, are a great fit for this position.”