Kovenex® to Serve as Thermal Barrier for Two Glove Models
RICHMOND, Va. – Waubridge Specialty Fabrics, LLC (Waubridge) today announced it has partnered with Southcombe Brothers (Southcombe) to provide its patented Kovenex as the thermal barrier for Southcombe’s Firemaster® Ultra and Firemaster IV. Combining Kovenex’s inherent flame-, tear- and cut-resistant properties with Southcombe’s patented water- and chemical-resistant PYROHIDE® will maintain the gloves’ NFPA 1971-2007 certification and EN659 rating, as well as increase the gloves’ dexterity and performance, and most importantly, the user’s safety.
According to Matt Smith, business development director at Waubridge, Southcombe will begin mass sales of the new gloves featuring Kovenex in June 2009, but will have a limited number of the gloves available during FDIC at booth #1335. Kovenex representatives will be available at booth # 1332.
“Safety and performance are paramount for first response and rescue personnel, and we constantly strive to create partnerships that yield the optimal level for both,” said Smith. “By combining the safety and performance attributes on which Kovenex users depend with Southcombe Brothers’ extensive history of manufacturing premium gloves for various types of first responders, we’re certain that this customer-driven partnership will further enable Kovenex to deliver the best personal protective equipment (PPE) in the industry.”
David Southcombe, managing director at Southcombe, said he is excited about enhancing his company’s PPE product offerings with Kovenex to better serve the first response community.
“For more than 160 years, we’ve engineered some of the finest gloves in the world for all types of occasions and purposes,” said Southcombe. “Our craftsmanship and sophisticated, proprietary technologies, matched with Kovenex’s unrivaled safety attributes, will provide an unparalleled level of durability, performance and safety.”
Kovenex has been used by firefighters and other first responders for years in a number of products, including the Kovenex Rapid Response Blanket. In addition, Waubridge offers the Kovenex Occupational Safety Blanket, designed specifically for use in industrial workplaces such as plants, foundries, mills and other facilities in which fire-related incidents could occur.
About Kovenex
Kovenex, manufactured and marketed by Chester, Va.-based Waubridge Specialty Fabrics, LLC, is a high-performance engineered fabric blend with inherent flame-, heat- and tear-resistant properties. For more information please visit www.kovenex.com or call 866.861.7976.
About Southcombe
Based in the beautiful Somerset countryside in the UK, Southcombe Brothers have been making and supplying gloves since 1847. One of Europe’s oldest and largest glove suppliers, Southcombe Brothers continue to lead the industry in terms of design, performance and customer service. With a unique blend of traditional craft skills and specialised high-tech materials, together with an ISO 9001 certified tannery and manufacturing units, Southcombe Brothers oversee the development of gloves from first designs to the finished pair. For more information please visit www.southcombe.com or call 011 44 1935 823567.