Mehdi Achour, International Sales Manager, Super Vac, talks to International Fire Buyer for our Quick Fire Q+A.
Please introduce yourself and your company
I’ve been with Super Vac for three years now and it is a really great company. We are present in about 55 countries. Recently, we launched a new fan at FDIC 2026 called the V Max. It is a battery-powered fan which pushes the same amount of air as a gas-powered fan which is revolutionary and we are very excited about it. Super Vac is my first role in the fire industry. We have people working for us who have been with us for 45 years. Before this, I was a Fibre Artist for a company called XFinity, building fibre lines for internet servers, security, phones and TV. Before that, I worked in Miami in the hospitality industry before moving to Colorado where Super Vac is based.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I would be in Tunisia in my hometown. The plan is to retire in Tunisia eventually.
What are the biggest trends you are seeing in the industry?
A lot of manufacturers are moving to eco-friendly equipment now. Whilst we started with electric fans, we are moving to battery-powered equipment which aims to make it easier for firefighters and are more eco-friendly. A lot of other industries are also going through that transition as it is good for the Earth. I am very excited about these battery platforms. Everything is battery operated so it is a lot safer and better for the environment.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you take with you?
Water, first of all, and some beans because they last forever and they can feed me for a long time. Maybe a knife so I could hunt and eat.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I am a big soccer fanatic. I play, I coach and I am a big fan of Real Madrid and the Premier League. I played a little bit of professional soccer back home and I am very excited about the World Cup coming to the US this summer.
Have you got any special skills?
I live in Colorado and we have a lot of fourteeners or in other words, a 14,000 ft mountain. I like to hike those over six or seven hours for a good challenge. I also like to go ocean or lake fishing.
If you could give any advice to your younger self, what would it be?
Follow your dreams. I moved to the US when I was 26 with $300 in my pocket. Now I have a family and two kids and a nice career. So yes, always follow your dreams.
