Words: Varun Godinho

Honeywell’s PPE business includes head-to-toe protection covering worker safety, electrical safety, hearing protection, head protection, respiratory, fall protection, eye protection, footwear, first aid and first responder equipment. 

The brands that will now be transferred to PIP include Fendall, Fibre-Metal, Howard Leight, KCL, Miller, Morning Pride, North, Oliver and Salisbury, among others. 

PIP, a global supplier and manufacturer of PPE equipment for several decades and backed by private equity firm Odyssey Investment Partners, will see its global manufacturing and distribution footprint expand to approximately 50 countries.

“Over our 40-year history, PIP’s vision of bringing the best in the world to our customers has remained unchanged and this marks another important step,” PIP president and chief executive officer Curt Holtz said. 

Michael Garceau has been appointed as president of the newly acquired PPE business. 

Honeywell’s exit from the PPE industry 

Until now, Honeywell’s PPE business operated under its Industrial Automation segment. The division employed approximately 5000 people and operated approximately 20 manufacturing sites and 17 distribution sites worldwide.

The deal with PIP now completes Honeywell’s exit from the PPE space, following the 2021 divestiture of its Lifestyle and Performance Footwear Business to Rocky Brands.

“Completing the divestiture of our PPE business is another critical step in simplifying and optimising our portfolio for growth in our core businesses,” Honeywell chairman and CEO Vimal Kapur said. 

The sale of its PPE business allows Honeywell to now focus on three core categories: automation, the future of aviation and energy transition.

This article first appeared in FM