Montreal, Quebec -- WATERAX Inc., a leading manufacturer of lightweight portable fire pumps, announced earlier in January, that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its RANCHER® lightweight skid unit product line to Flash Fire & Safety (FFS), located in Sherwood Park, Alberta. 

The transaction with FFS ensures that these products will continue to be available to consumers. In addition to FFS's experience in assembling similar platforms, the unit will continue to be powered by our WATERAX MINI-STRIKER® fire pump, so RANCHER® customers can expect the same level of quality and reliability as before. 

 “Consistent with our growth strategy, this divestiture reduces complexity within WATERAX, allowing us to focus on the core elements in our portfolio, our mission-critical portable fire pump platforms, and deliver on our commitment to strengthen our manufacturing competencies, especially during these uncertain times,” said Raffaele Gerbasi, President of WATERAX.

"We are excited about this acquisition since the product line fits well with our business model and is consistent with our commitment to providing our customers with the best wildland-urban interface equipment in times of need. Given our extensive experience in exporting outside North America, we look forward to serving RANCHER® customers globally,” said Luc Lainey, President of Flash Fire Safety.

The sale is expected to conclude by March 31, 2022. WATERAX will partner with FFS throughout the transition to fully meet all outstanding requirements for existing customers. No other WATERAX products or divisions will be impacted by the sale.

About WATERAX

WATERAX has a long, proud and exciting history of moving water around the world. WATERAX originated as Watson Jack & Company, which was founded in 1898 by Montreal, Quebec native John Colquhoun Watson Jack. Today, WATERAX is North America’s leading producer of wildland firefighting equipment, with an offering that includes its flagship product, the MARK-3® pump. Between the 1980s and 2010s the company continued to transform, operating under different banners until it was incorporated into WATERAX in 2014. Based in Montreal, Quebec, today the company exports wildland firefighting equipment to over 50 countries around the world.

About Flash Fire & Safety

FFS is a dynamic and proactive family-owned business focused on providing world class customer service. With over 20 years' experience in the fire protection industry, from providing consulting services to supplying wildland fire suppression products, our mission is to equip our customers with the best wildland suppression solutions and technology available.