Lion Apparel: a leading supplier of protective apparel for firefighters

11 pages, published in Issue 19, 4th quarter 2006   Report price: Euro 395.00; US$ 520.00

Lion Apparel is the world’s largest manufacturer of protective apparel for firefighters. It is a significant player in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. The company was founded in 1898 to sell apparel to farmers. In the 1930s it started selling uniforms for employees in petrol service stations. However, it was not until the 1960s that it began to diversify into firefighter uniforms. This proved prescient, as the 1970s oil shock badly affected sales of Lion’s service station uniforms, and the company moved more aggressively into the firefighter apparel business.

Lion’s firefighter apparel sales have grown organically and through two acquisitions: Janesville and Body-Guard. Lion was the first company to introduce a number of fabric innovations to the fire apparel market, including PBI (polybenzimidazole), Gore-Tex and a moisture management system using Teflon. Lion also introduced the concept of a wholly managed service for fire brigades. This contractual service operates under the brand of Lion TotalCare and supplies, cleans, repairs and replaces firefighters’ clothing and equipment.

Lion’s firefighting apparel is made inherently fire-retardant through the use of a combination of materials. The key elements of its flame retardant apparel are PBI, Kevlar and Nomex.

The future looks good for Lion. The company has expanded successfully from an initial base in the USA to Europe and Asia Pacific. It is involved in various joint ventures around the world which bring in large business contracts. And, even though the future market for firefighting apparel is unlikely to diminish, it is looking at other markets and launching new product lines—such as the MT94 multi-threat garment—which will take its business to other sectors.

Buy this Report now	Buy this Issue (19) now	Subscribe

• Performance apparel markets: flame resistant fibres and fabrics, 4th quarter 2006, (4th quarter 2006)
• Superabsorbent Polymers: From Diapers to Crops of the Future, (2nd quarter 2006)
• Technical textile markets: anti-static technology in performance apparel, 4th quarter 2005, (4th quarter 2005)
• Technical textile markets: developments in military clothing, 3rd quarter 2005, (3rd quarter 2005)
• Profile of Sparco: a leader in professional motor racing apparel, (3rd Quarter 2003)

Four times a year, Performance Apparel Markets provides intelligence, expert analysis and insight on the performance apparel industry. Performance apparel represents one of the fastest growing markets in the global textile and clothing industry--and market growth is being fuelled by an emergence of new fibres, fabrics and innovative materials. The market's growth prospects are also being spurred by increasing demand for performance properties in mainstream fashion.

What's in Performance Apparel Markets? Each issue provides an authoritative source of information on key industry topics, including: antimicrobial textiles; biomaterials; biomimicry; chemical protective clothing; circularity; compression and shapewear; cosmetotextiles; environmental sustainability; finishes; flame resistant clothing; footwear; graphene; insect repellent apparel; insulation materials; medical protective clothing; military clothing and equipment; moisture management; mono materials; outdoor apparel; personal protective equipment (PPE); smart textiles; sportswear; thermoregulation; waterproof breathable textiles; wearable technology; and workwear. A single issue of Performance Apparel Markets includes: an editorial think-piece on a topical issue from an industry expert a round-up of the latest product innovations a main feature on a new or established market insight and analysis of a key market leader or fast-growing start-up a round-up of the latest business developments An annual subscription to Performance Apparel Markets is a cost-effective way to keep informed about trends and developments in the global performance apparel industry. Subscriptions are available in printed and/or digital formats. Printed and digital subscribers receive each issue in printed format in addition to a digital PDF file, which is available immediately on publication. Subscribers also receive a complementary digital subscription to Performance Apparel Update, delivered directly by email once a month. This free supplement contains essential information on business news and the latest product developments. Like all Textiles Intelligence publications, Performance Apparel Markets is a reliable source of independently sourced business information, and it does not carry advertising. This is what our customers say: "This is one of the best documents in the industry. Keep me informed about new publications." (Belgian manufacturer of textile machinery)