MSA Elects Dr. Thomas Muschter to Vice President

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of MSA (NYSE: MSA) has elected Dr. Thomas Muschter a Vice President of the company, responsible for Global Product Leadership.  Dr. Muschter succeeds Ronald N. Herring Jr., who, as of November 1, will assume the role of President of MSA International, Western Europe Zone (WEZ) and Middle Eurasia Zone (MEZ).  In his new role, Dr. Muschter will become a member of the company's Executive Leadership Team and will report to William Lambert, President and CEO.

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"This election is well deserved and reflects the many contributions Thomas has made to MSA over his many years with the company and the confidence the Board of Directors and I have in his ability to further enhance MSA's product development results, improve global coordination of new product development activities, and advance the company's global marketing initiatives," Mr. Lambert said.  "Thomas is a leader in his field and is well deserving of this promotion."

Possessing a broad knowledge of the many facets of R&D, Dr. Muschter most recently served as the Director of R&D for the company's International business segment, where he was responsible for more than 160 employees in six countries.  

Dr. Muschter holds a doctorate in Chemistry from the Freie Universitat in Berlin, which he received in 1989.   He joined MSA in 1992 as a chemist in the Detector Tube Development department at MSA Auer in Berlin, Germany.  After progressive roles of increased responsibility, Dr. Muschter was promoted to Director of R&D for MSA Europe, and then Director of R&D for MSA's International business segment, where he served a combined 11 years.  In addition to these roles, Dr. Muschter has served on MSA's Supplied-Air Respirator and Gas Detection Global Steering Teams, the company's Global R&D Alignment Council, and is currently a member of MSA's Global Product Leadership Council – which he will now lead.  Dr. Muschter will remain based in Berlin, where he resides with his wife, Lili, and their son, Andre.  

Dr. Muschter is fluent in English, German and Croatian, and he received a doctorate in Chemistry from the Freie Universitat in Berlin, which he received in 1989.

About MSA:

Established in 1914, MSA is a global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of sophisticated safety products that protect people's health and safety.  Many of the company's products typically integrate any combination of electronics, mechanical systems and advanced materials to protect users against hazardous or life-threatening situations.  MSA's comprehensive line of products is used by workers around the world in a broad range of industries, including the fire service, the oil, gas and petrochemical industry, construction market, the mining industry and the military.  Principal products include self-contained breathing apparatus, gas masks, gas and flame detection instruments, head protection products, fall protection systems, respirators and thermal imaging cameras.  The company also provides a broad range of consumer and contractor safety products through retail channels.  MSA has annual sales of approximately $1 billion, manufacturing operations on six continents, and 42 international locations.  Additional information is available on the company's Web site at www.msanet.com.  

SOURCE MSA