Tom Trzepacz, Vice President of Sales, PAC describes the latest tool mounting innovations from PAC in 2024, and their flagship products, equipping firefighters for 30 years
For over three decades, Performance Advantage Company (PAC) has been a pioneering force in the tool mounting industry. The company’s roots trace back to its founder, who previously built and manufactured fire trucks in the United States. Upon retiring, he identified a pressing need for reliable tool mounting solutions, sparking the inception of PAC. Beginning with just a handful of brackets, PAC has experienced remarkable growth and continues to deliver innovative, industry-leading products. Rebecca Spayne of Fire Buyer had the pleasure of catching up with Tom Trzepacz, the Vice President of Sales for PAC, to discover more about their latest 2024 releases and flagship products. PAC’s commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has solidified its reputation as a trusted name in the field, continuously adapting to meet the evolving needs of firefighters today.
The industry is always evolving with new technology and tools. How does PAC address this constant need for innovation?
We try to keep our products adaptable to various tools and equipment, which change frequently. Our goal is to provide solutions that can fit a wide range of needs. We used to go after some specific things and be more tool-specific, but technology changes so often. So, we try to keep that universal approach so we can adapt to any tool a department has.
Can you tell us about the new products PAC has released this year, starting with the K5106 Superflex?
The K5106 Superflex is a versatile bracket system with adjustable straps, available in black or yellow. It’s ideal for cylindrical items like SCBA bottles and fire extinguishers. These brackets offer a lower profile, which is crucial as fire trucks are getting smaller but still need to carry the same amount of equipment. What’s nice with these is we have a lot of brackets that already did those jobs, but this is a lower profile.
The fire service is going to smaller trucks, but they’re still carrying the same amount of equipment. They have so many different roles between rescue, fire, and EMS, so there is a need to get a lot of equipment on these trucks without having a lot of room. These brackets really help with that, providing a low profile that sits behind the tool itself or the bottle, with the strap going right over it. They also provide a universal solution that can be adapted for various tools and equipment, ensuring firefighters have the flexibility they need.
Can you explain the K5046 extinguisher SCBA mount?
The K5046 extinguisher SCBA mount is a versatile and robust solution designed to securely hold SCBAs, water cans, and fire extinguishers. This self-contained bracket is mounted on our durable 7050-alluminum mini track, featuring a 24-inch back plate that provides strong support. At the bottom, there is a cut mount that enhances the stability and security of the equipment. The innovative design allows the SCBA to snap into the bracket easily, and the adjustable mechanism ensures that it can fit any SCBA model you have.
One of the standout features of the K5046 is its ability to offer quick and secure mounting. This is crucial in emergency situations where every second counts, as it ensures that critical equipment is always ready for immediate deployment. Whether it’s for firefighting or rescue operations, this bracket provides the reliability and efficiency needed to support first responders in the field. The combination of strong materials and thoughtful design makes the K5046 an essential component for any emergency vehicle, ensuring that vital equipment is both accessible and secure.
What materials and technologies were used to ensure the durability and reliability of the 1023 PAC Strut Mount?
The 1023 PAC Strut Mount uses our pack strut as a backing with a connecting angle to form a 90-degree angle. It also uses our well-known adjust amount straps, which are adjustable on the backing plate and lock in on the front piece. The mount can hold anything up to 100lbs and is available with a black, yellow, or orange strap. This versatile bracket is recognised across all industries and can be used for various tools and equipment.
What specific tools have firefighters adopted most with the 1023 Pack Strut Mount?
Honestly, it’s probably more commonly used in trailers or rescue vehicles for hanging D-handle tools, large hoses, or rigging material. It’s very heavy-duty and versatile.
Can you talk about the K1024 Multi Mount HD and what sets it apart from competitors?
The K1024 Multi Mount HD is similar to the 1023 but offers a more versatile setup. It uses a PAC Strut on the back and forms a 90-degree angle, allowing for multiple long tools to be mounted. You can add any of our positive or friction-locking brackets to it, making it adaptable for various tools. This bracket is designed to save space while providing a robust solution for mounting multiple tools.
How has the market received these new products this year?
The new brackets have been well received, particularly the Super Flex and SCBA mounts. Our products are designed based on customer feedback and the needs of the industry, which drives our innovation. We featured them at FDIC this year and other trade shows, and the feedback has been very positive. All our products come from customer feedback and industry needs. We try to listen to our partners, dealers, OEMs, and end-users. Many of us here are firefighters, so we try to put that hat on when designing and developing these products…..
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