Leadership

The Board of Directors is based at Thame, near Oxford, in the UK.

Managing Director - Paul Williams
Finance Director - Lynda Guest
General Manager (Angus Fire) - Charles Boon
General Manager (Angus Fire Engineering) - Jamie Anderson
 

Innovation

Angus Fire has maintained its position at the forefront of fire protection technology through continuous investment in research and development. This is carried out at an international network of laboratories and fire test facilities in the UK, France, Canada, South Africa and Australia. Its unique combination of technical expertise in rubber and textile technology (fire hose), speciality chemicals (foam concentrates) and engineering design (fire fighting equipment) has enabled it to achieve numerous technological "firsts":

1943 - Flamefighter was the first Reinforced Rubber Lined (RRL) layflat fire hose.
1965 - Duraline was the first maintenance-free covered fire hose.
1968 - AF120 was the first mobile foam unit.
1971 - FP70 was the first FluoroProtein foam concentrate.
1981 - Petroseal was the first Film-Forming FluoroProtein (FFFP) foam.
1987 - OM1 was the first water turbine-powered oscillating monitor.
1990 - Long Throw Sprinkler was the first sprinkler head for atrium protection.
1992 - FP70 Plus was the first FluoroProtein foam concentrate specially developed for use on MTBE.
1992 - Alcoseal 3-3 was the first 3% multipurpose Alcohol Resistant FFFP foam concentrate.
1994 - WASP was the first fully-integrated Wide-range Accurate Sprinkler Proportioner for foam enhanced sprinkler systems.
1995 - Colossus was the first large-capacity aspirating foam cannon.
1997 - K20H was the first specialist foam/water sprinkler nozzle for storage tank cooling.
1998 - Uniductor was the first portable foam inductor specially designed to handle the different viscosity characteristics of standard and Alcohol Resistant foams.
1999 - Niagara was the first UL Listed high fluidity multipurpose foam concentrate.
2000 - Sorcerer was the first self-contained mobile fire detection and suppression system for light aircraft.
2001 - Streamline was the first range of modular foam/water monitors.
2003 - Benchmark was the first range of fire equipment with over 600 standard models.
2005 - Angus partnered BP in the first large-scale LNG fire tests using realistic scenarios.
2008 - New range of Titan monitors launched

Products

Angus Fire is the world's largest manufacturer of layflat covered fire hose with 30 milliion metres of its leading brand Duraline supplied world wide. It is also the world number one manufacturer of fire fighting foam concentrates for flammable liquid fire protection. A comprehensive range of low-maintenance foam-making equipment includes foam proportioning and delivery devices for portable, mobile and fixed applications. The company also manufactures one of the world's most extensive range of portable pumps for fire fighting and flood relief operations. Its Building Protection Division provides a comprehensive range of fire equipment including sprinklers, extinguishers, rising mains systems, hose reels and fire equipment cabinets.

A range of innovative non-fire fighting products has also been developed including flexible pipelines for agriculture, irrigation systems, groundwater extraction and "no dig" water pipe re-lining; and specialist foams for lighweight concrete, explosion suppression and simulated "snow effects" for the film industry.

Services

Angus Fire Engineering (AFE) is a leading fire engineering contractor that combines the company's three core technologies to offer a total capability approach to fire suppression systems from initial design, through equipment supply, to full-scale commissioning. After-sales services include the award-winning Foam Testing Service for monitoring the condition of foam concentrate held in long-term storage. Angus Direct offers top brands of fire hose like Duraline ex-stock in popular sizes ready for guaranteed next day delivery. The Emergency Service delivers urgently need stocks of foam concentrate and fire fighting equipment to major incident sites world wide and was recently praised for its performance at the multiple storage tank fire at Buncefield in the UK.

History

Angus Fire's traditions go back over two hundred years from the time when fire hose was made from riveted strips of leather to the present day when it is made from the latest in advanced rubber and textile technology. It recently celbrated the centenary of its manufacturing facility at Bentham in North Yorkshire. Local tradition has it that the sails of Admiral Nelson's famous flagship HMS Victory were made at the original cotton mill at Bentham. 

1584 - Alexander Angus moves from Scotland to Newcastle. The Angus family craft was leather.
1672 - George Angus, a skinner and glover, is admitted as a Freeman of Newcastle.
1788 - Joseph Angus founds leather business in Newcastle, County Durham.
1888 - Company registered as a Public Company under the name of George Angus & Company Limited.
1904 - Company purchased the hose and belting part of the Bentham Spinning & Weaving Co. and started to manufacture hose at Bentham.
1950 - Angus Canada began operations with fire hose production in Toronto.
1962 - Angus Fire Armour Limited formed.
1968 - Angus acquired by Dunlop. Eau et Feu in France acquired by Angus.
1977 - Hose factory opened in North Carolina, USA.
1980 - Guthrie acquires Angus from Dunlop.
1983 - Angus Australia established manufacturing fire hose, then foam concentrates.
1988 - BBA acquired Guthrie.
1994 - Williams Holdings acquire Angus Fire Armour Limited from BBA.
2000 - Williams plc de-merged into Kidde plc and Chubb plc. Angus Fire becomes part of Kidde plc.
2002 - Angus Fire becomes part of Kidde Products Division of Kidde Fire Protection Services Limited.
2005 - Kidde plc acquired by United Technologies Corp. and combined with Chubb to form UTC Fire & Security with headquarters in Connecticut, USA.
2010 - Paul Williams appointed Managing Director.

Global Structure

Angus Fire has customers in over 100 countries spread over a wide range of sectors including major oil and petrochemical companies, international airports, military bases, power stations, harbours and ports, and local authority fire and rescue services.

Angus Fire manufactures fire hose, foam concentrates, fire fighting equipment and building protection products at Bentham in North Yorkshire.  Product sales and technical support are located at Thame in Oxfordshire. The company does business in over 100 countries throughout Europe, Africa, the Arabian Gulf, Asia, South America and the Caribbean through a global network of over 60 distributors and Kidde regional sales offices. Eau et Feu, located at Reims, is the largest fire hose and foam manufacturer in France. In North America Angus Fire supplies fire hose and foam concentrates from Angier, North Carolina and from Toronto in Canada. Angus Fire South Africa manufactures foam concentrate in Johannesburg and foam equipment in Durban, with sales offices in Johannesburg, Durban and CapeTown. Angus Fire Australia supplies fire hose and foam concentrate to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands from sales offices in Victoria and New South Wales.

Employees

Angus Fire employs around 500 people in the UK. Its Investor in People accreditation demonstrates that its high standards of quality are reflected not only in the excellence of its products, but also in the skills and motivation of people throughout the organisation. Many of the company's technical staff are acknowledged experts in their fields and are members of national and international standards committees such as NFPA, CEN and ISO.

Quality

Angus Fire has third party accreditation to BS EN ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System. All raw materials, components and finished products are rigorously tested and inspected to ensure consistent reliability and fire performance.

Environmental Responsibility

Angus Fire has a long established track-record of incorporating environmental technology into its new product development. In 1989 independent research found Petroseal to be the most environment friendly of all the foam concentrates tested. In 1992 Angus Fire was the first foam manufacturer in the world to sponsor a seminar programme on the environmental impact of fire fighting foam. In 2000 Angus Fire featured on the UK Environment Agency's list of success stories for its achievements in waste minimisation. The company's commitment to minimising the environmental impact of its products is integrated back into managing and monitoring sound environmental practices at all its manufacturing plants. These practices include energy management, waste minimisation, raw materials management and minimising environmental emissions. 

Social Responsibility

Angus Fire's social responsibility focuses on improving the quality of life of people in the regions where the company operates and on supporting fire services world wide. In recent years the company has donated to cancer care and hospice charities and the UK Fire Services National Benevolent Fund. Following the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, Angus Fire LW2300 pumps were rushed to the disaster area by Colombo Fire Brigade to remove seawater from wells so villagers could have a fresh supply of drinking water. On National Children's Day in Turkey in 2005 Angus Fire donated mini fire helmets to youngsters who took a day off from school to have a go at doing their parents' jobs at the Tupras Refinery Fire Service in Izmit. In 2005 Angus Fire joined forces with the web-based StayWise safety project for schools run by the Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service. In 2007 Angus Fire sponsored the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund (FSNBF) National Car Wash. It also donated some fire hose and fire fighting foam to the Nigerian Fire Service as part of a Fire Aid package.

Memberships

Angus Fire is a proud and active member of the following organisations:

FIA - Fire Industry Association
FIRESA - Fire & Rescue Suppliers Association
FOBFO  - Federation of British Fire Organisations
JOIFF - Joint Oil Industry Fire Forum

Company Information

Angus Fire is a trading name of Kidde Products Limited.
Registered Office: Mathisen Way, Colnbrook, Slough, Berkshire, SL3 OHB, UK.
Registered in England and Wales No: 4622271
VAT No: GB746274318
Kidde Products Limited is part of UTC Fire & Security, a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) business unit, which provides fire safety and security solutions to more than one million customers around the world. UTC Fire & Security is headquartered in Connecticut, USA.