Helmets are an important safety product used by people around the globe, ranging from the cyclists in the Tour de France to firefighters helping to keep their communities safe. This year, the Tour de France is making its first-ever stop in the “World Capital of Fire Helmets,” as MSA Safety’s own Chatillon-sur-Chalaronne, France, manufacturing facility welcomes the world’s best cyclists for Stage 13 of the race.
Home to the iconic MSA Gallet fire helmet, Chatillon-sur-Chalaronne is serving as a stage town for the first time in the Tour de France’s 120-year history. Cyclists and Tour viewers from around the world will be greeted by the larger-than-life MSA Gallet F1 helmet at the roundabout at the town’s entrance, showcasing the company’s legacy of helping to keep first responders safe.
“The city’s history includes helping to protect first responders and industrial workers around the world, and we’re excited to welcome the Tour de France to Chatillon-sur-Chalaronne,” said Yohan Morel, Marketing Director for MSA International. “With MSA Safety’s head protection products made right here and used in 80 countries, the Tour de France is showing the world the city that’s fulfilling the MSA Safety mission of helping to keep people safe at work every day.”
MSA Safety’s presence in the Tour de France goes beyond the events in Chatillon-sur-Chalaronne. With the race underway, the company’s helmets are already playing a part in the Tour alongside the French Federation of Fire Fighters with members who are on the tour’s emergency response using the MSA Gallet F2XR rescue helmets. MSA is also accompanying the Federation in the Tour de France Caravan, with five vehicles decorated with limited-edition MSA Gallet helmets to mark the occasion.
“We’re thrilled to be partner with the French Federation of Fire Fighters during the race,” Morel said. “MSA Safety is proud to support the Federation and raise awareness for the work firefighters do and for volunteerism in the fire service. We’re grateful to all first responders who put their trust in the MSA brand to help keep them safe on the job.”
The Chatillon-sur-Chalaronne legacy of helping to protect first responders is nearly as old as the Tour de France. The MSA Gallet helmet brand traces its presence in Chatillon-sur-Chalaronne to 1909 when Adrien Gallet established a facility there as his leather working and head protection business grew. Over the decades, Gallet built a reputation as an international leader in fire, police and military helmets, leading to MSA Safety acquiring CGF Gallet of France in 2002. Today in Chatillon-sur-Chalaronne, MSA employs approximately 220 associates and manufactures structural fire helmets, wildland and rescue helmets, ballistic helmets, law enforcement helmets, aviation and helicopter helmets, and industrial helmets.
Cyclists will depart the city on 14 July for Stage 13, which is one of the Tour de France mountain stages.
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