MSA Recognized as Leader in Business Ethics Company Honored for Commitment to Ethical Practices

PITTSBURGH, Feb. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MSA today announced it has received the prestigious 2007 Pittsburgh Business Ethics Award from the Pittsburgh chapter of the Society of Financial Service Professionals and the University of Pittsburgh's David Berg Center for Ethics and Leadership.

In receiving this award, MSA was recognized for demonstrating an outstanding commitment to business ethics, providing clear ethical standards and leadership to employees, and sustaining a high level of community and charitable involvement.

"MSA's unique heritage and culture are based on the passion of the company's founders to protect those working in hazardous conditions," said John T. Ryan III, MSA Chairman and CEO. "Long before text books or news reports discussed business ethics, my grandfather and George Deike, and my father and Gene Merry displayed integrity in their actions everyday, and their associates and successors followed their lead."

"It's easy to do the right thing when the right thing is easy to do," continued Mr. Ryan. "But when doing the ethical thing comes at a cost, then the truly ethical organizations and people shine. This award is a testament to the efforts of all MSA employees, who go about their daily affairs with the utmost integrity and commitment to our core values."

Honoring companies in three categories - small (less than 250 employees), mid-size (250 - 2,500 employees), and large (2,500+ employees) - the Pittsburgh Business Ethics Awards Program is now in its seventh year and recognizes local organizations for their commitment to ethical practices in everyday operations, philosophies and response to crises and challenges. MSA received the award in the large company category. Other finalists in the category were H.J. Heinz Co. and Westinghouse Electric, LLC.

John T. Ryan III, along with William M. Lambert, MSA President and COO and Douglas K. McClaine, MSA Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel, accepted the award on MSA's behalf on February 15, 2008 at a special luncheon and ceremony at the Omni William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh. MSA is now eligible to compete nationally for the American Business Ethics Award.

Other 2007 recipients were Bombardier Transportation Holdings USA and Henne Jewelers.

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. Sophisticated safety products typically integrate any combination of electronics, mechanical systems and advanced materials to protect users against hazardous or life-threatening situations. The company's comprehensive line of products is used by workers around the world in the fire service, homeland security, construction and other industries, as well as the military. Principal products include self-contained breathing apparatus, gas masks, gas detection instruments, head protection, respirators and thermal imaging cameras. The company also provides a broad range of consumer and contractor safety products through retail channels. These products are marketed and sold under the MSA Safety Works brand. MSA has annual sales of approximately $1 billion, manufacturing operations throughout the United States and Europe, and more than 40 international locations. Additional information is available on the company's Web site at http://www.msanet.com/.