MAYBE THEY DON’T always come with a lot of flash and flair, cutesy colors
and snazzy style, and maybe some wouldn’t call them eye-catching in the marketing kind of way, but safety products offer a lot of appeal. They’re solid, dependable and, most importantly, they come to people’s rescue in the most dire situations. And, every so often, they do come with a lot of flash and flare, which makes them eye-catching in the safety kind of way.
That’s the point Michael Levy, vice president of Compass Industries, New York, wants to drive home about the products that are there when we need them the most. He believes companies from all walks of life are investing in and promoting through certain safety products as a way to comfort employees and to show they care.
“It’s just the kind of climate we live in,” he explained. “Providing tools that could protect and serve us has become a basic necessity among many employers.”
One of Compass Industries’ newest and most popular products is the Mag-Lite L.E.D. The newest version of this product includes a focusing beam that can be used as a torch to help lead people down darkened stairways or along desolate roadways.
Levy said distributors have ordered the lights for clients who hand them out as gifts to employees to keep in their cars and homes.
“Recently, we sold a slew of these flashlights to a company that experienced a blackout at one of its locations,” offered Levy. “Immediately after the occurrence, the client ordered one Mag-Lite for every employee to keep in their office desks.”
Another of Compass Industries’ popular items is its safety knife, which generates interest among trucking companies, courier services and transportation organizations that employ people on the road.
“This is a product that can break windshields and cut through safety belts,” said Levy. “It’s ideal for those traveling at all hours of the night who might not receive emergency assistance as quickly as needed.”
While Compass offers a wide array of safety products with various features, Levy reminds their purpose and message are the same. “They let people know you care,” he said. “They protect, serve and promote.”
Howard Wallace, president of Survivor Industries, Camarillo, Calif., couldn’t agree more. In fact, he recently turned to the ad specialty business to cultivate interest in his products in hopes that the “promote” part of “protect, serve and promote,” will lighten things up a bit. That’s because Survivor Industries offers survival food and water packets that many typically associate with military groups, humanitarian aid and outdoor extremists.
“We’re trying to take some seriousness away from these products so as to find a way for them to reach people who are subject to risk,” said Wallace, who has encountered resistance to the products when not presented as promotional tools.
While everyone is subject to risk, the first populations of people that come to mind are those living in hurricane, flood and severe weather zones. Wallace would like to reach such populations and many more by getting businesses and organizations to hand out packets at events, trade shows or within welcome packets to new employees. “Then people would have a survival tool in their kitchen cabinets that could one day come in very handy,” he said.
The packets, called Mainstay packets, are specially designed to withstand extreme temperatures and endure rough conditions. They also have a five-year shelf life, which, notes Wallace, translates to a five-year promotional life.
As for the food rations, they are touted as great-tasting, non-thirst provoking products that are specially formulated for land-based, high-stress situations. Each packet contains nine pre-measured, 400-calorie kosher meals. The water packets are U.S. Coast Guard approved, easy to transport and dispense, and have minimal potential of losing water.
As a new endeavor, Survivor Industries is working with distributors and their clients to personalize survivor kits to be used for premiums, safety awards, business gifts, employee incentives, fundraisers and more.
“Sometimes just knowing you are prepared makes uncertainties of the future easier,” said Wallace. “I mean, would you drive a car without a spare tire?”
According to Wallace, the packets have been distributed around the world in places such as Africa, Istanbul, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Japan and many other countries.
“They can be used as promotions for any type of client serving any market,” he noted. “Any company that services or employs people can invest in these Mainstay packets.”
“The whole point,” concluded Wallace, “is safety products offer a kind of insurance that people will be thankful for. Safety products show companies care, and they make the world a safer place.”
