Fire-Dex Workforce Boost Keeps All Production in Ohio

Fire-Dex celebrated the groundbreaking of its 29,000 square-foot expansion on September 25, 2017.

Fire-Dex is a leading manufacturer of protection apparel for first responders. Their selection includes fire hoods and helmets, gear bags, suspenders and structural turnout gear. First responders do the jobs many people are too afraid to do. Firefighters, for example, head into flames when others run away. They need reliable equipment to keep them safe and to carry out their duty. That’s where Fire-Dex comes in.

Having outgrown its Medina headquarters, Fire-Dex sought to expand the facility, allowing for start-to-finish design and production of its new TECGEN equipment. Fire-Dex has invested over $2.4 million to expand the building and train 30 new employees. The added personnel will represent a nearly 25 percent increase in workforce.

One of the company’s biggest challenges outside of space is manufacturing from start to finish at the Medina location. They have tremendously rigorous quality control expectations and standard operating procedures. JobsOhio has offered training support to supply Fire-Dex with the talent to handle expansion of a new operation line in Medina rather than outsourcing the sewing operations to a partner in Mexico. Training the workforce will allow Fire-Dex to expand the TECGEN line while also ensuring the nation’s firefighters and paramedics remain safe with top quality gear.

Since 1997, Fire-Dex has been headquartered in Medina. The company has undergone tremendous growth, including acquisitions, staffing increases, equipment investments, lab construction and building/infrastructure improvements. In 2002 the company invested heavily in lean manufacturing techniques.