FIND A CONTRACTOR BUYER'S GUIDE
BECOME AN INDUSTRY PARTNER
MCAA Logo
MEMBER LOGIN JOIN
NEWS
World of Concrete 2026 Registration Is Open ↗

MSA Completes Acquisition of General Monitors

Words: Mark AafedtMSA (NYSE: MSA) announced it has completed the acquisition of General Monitors of Lake Forest, Ca., a leading innovator and developer of fixed systems for gas and flame detection. General Monitors is a privately held company that employs approximately 225 people globally and had 2009 revenues of approximately $80 million. The transaction, which MSA announced in early September, is valued at $280 million and is being financed with a combination of existing cash balances and incremental borrowing.

With the acquisition complete, MSA significantly strengthens its position in the global oil, gas and petrochemical markets by adding a highly recognized and respected brand of fixed gas and flame detection systems to a very complementary MSA product line. General Monitors’ products and systems are used in a broad range of oil and gas exploration and refining applications as well as in a diverse range of industrial plant settings. William M. Lambert, MSA President and CEO, commented that the acquisition accelerates a key element of MSA’s long-term corporate strategy to provide a broad line of gas and flame detection solutions to customers in the estimated $850 million market the two companies serve.

“We’re very excited about finalizing this transaction and bringing our two great companies together,” Mr. Lambert said. “There are many synergies that make this acquisition a superb fit for both organizations, including an industry leading product line, a highly complementary geographic footprint, and a mutually intense focus on driving customer satisfaction and loyalty. Most importantly, our companies have very similar cultures built on integrity and defined by a passion for innovation and a commitment to one mission: protecting and saving lives,” he said.

Over the past several weeks, since the acquisition was announced, Mr. Lambert said the company has focused on developing a comprehensive cross-functional integration process that is designed to ensure the success of the venture. “At the center of this process is a joint integration team comprised of functional area business leaders from both organizations,” Mr. Lambert noted. “Overall, as we prepared for the closing of the transaction, this team made great progress in developing a precise process-driven blueprint, covering nine functional areas, that is designed to ensure the integration is fully planned and effectively executed. Needless to say, with the required legal and regulatory approvals now secured, we’re very excited to be in a position to put this plan into action,” he added.

As was announced previously, General Monitors President and CEO Phillip A. Robbibaro will continue to work for the company in the same capacity, and MSA has retained the strong General Monitors management team as part of the acquisition, with many of those members serving on the cross-functional integration team.

“The long-range goal of this venture is simple, “Mr. Robbibaro said. “We plan to gain synergies by leveraging the technological expertise, market reach and best practices of both organizations to provide our customers with the best solutions available in gas and flame detection systems. Our respective product lines complement each other exceedingly well in virtually every market we serve, and we will grow by delivering greater value to our customers than either company could do by itself.”

General Monitors was founded in 1961 by four aerospace engineers dedicated to providing hydrogen gas monitoring safety equipment for the U.S. space program. This focus on protecting life in the workplace evolved into a corporate commitment to provide gas and flame detection throughout the world’s energy related industries. Over the years, the company has grown steadily, earning a worldwide reputation as a leader in innovative, high-quality gas monitoring and flame detection products.
 0
Contractor Tip of the Month - Listen Before Leading: A Hard Lesson on Change
November 2025

I pride myself on being a forward thinker. My aim is always to do what’s best for my team because I’ve learned that the strength of any company rests on the people who build it. So, when we rolled out a new and improved travel policy a few weeks ago, I as

Damian Lang
Contractor Tip of the Month
Read More
Fechino Files: Welding in the Masonry Business
November 2025

Most of the equipment used in the masonry business is strong, durable, and made of metal. Okay, yes, you can argue that many mortar boards, truck seats, and water coolers are typically not made of metal, but you get the point. One thing I learned a long t

Steven Fechino
Fechino Files
Read More
Marvelous Masonry: Potala Palace
November 2025

Perched more than 12,000 feet above sea level on Red Mountain in Lhasa, Tibet, the Potala Palace stands as one of the world’s most remarkable masonry structures. Its enduring resilience not only represents an architectural achievement but also a living ca

Cass Stern
Marvelous Masonry
Read More
Outreach Outlook: Securing the Future Through the Inspire Awards
November 2025

As we move into November, I want to take a moment to highlight one of the most significant opportunities our industry has ever faced: the Truist Foundation Inspire Awards. The Masonry Foundation has been named a finalist, and on Tuesday, November 12th, we

Robert Melgaard
Outreach Outlook
Read More