Vallen Corp. Announces Acquisition

Vallen Corp. (Houston) has acquired Houston-based Gulf Coast Respiratory Services (GCRS).

Founded in 1988, GCRS is a leading provider of occupational respiratory protection testing and safety consulting services. Services are provided onsite throughout the U.S. and include quantitative respirator fit testing, medical clearances, pulmonary function testing, and audiometric testing. GCRS' group of certified safety professionals also offers consulting services in the areas of evaluating and implementing industrial hygiene programs, as well as a variety of occupational health services focusing on OSHA compliance.

R.W. (Bob) Bruce, director of Vallen's Knowledge Systems, said: "The addition of GCRS' lineup of services augments Vallen Safety's focus on its growing safety services group, a major component of our Total Safety Solutions package. The GCRS group will form the nucleus of a new Occupational Health Services division within Vallen Safety Supply Co."

Vallen's safety products distribution and services businesses partner with customers in industrial, commercial, and public sector markets to add value through development of world class Total Safety Solution programs. Its distribution businesses, including Vallen Safety Supply Co., Proveedora de Seguridad Industrial del Golfo (Mexico), Century Sales & Service Ltd. (Canada), and Vallen Acetogen Safety Chile, operate from some 154 locations, including 58 on-site stores, throughout North and South America.

Vallen's manufacturing facilities produce a variety of industrial safety products. Encon Safety Products Inc. is a leading producer of emergency shower and eye wash fountains for industrial use, and also produces a broad line of non-prescription safety eyewear for distribution throughout North and South America.