Northern Safety Co., Inc. announced today that it has been named a recipient of both Eastman Chemical Company’s Supplier Excellence Award and its Innovation Award for 2014.

Eastman Chemical Co., a major producer of chemicals and plastics, assesses its suppliers annually and selects the best to receive recognition as part of its Supplier of Excellence Award program. Northern Safety will receive both its Supplier Excellence Award and its Innovation Award at an awards ceremony later this year.

The Supplier Excellence Award recognizes suppliers who demonstrate consistency and high performance in metrics such as on-time delivery, conformance to specifications and continual improvement efforts. The Innovation Award is presented to suppliers that effectively work to better the company’s product, resulting in improved performance.

Sal Longo, President and CEO of Northern Safety, thanked Eastman Chemical Company for its valued partnership. Longo credited both honors to the hard work of Northern Safety’s employees, who strive to promote health and safety in the workplace.

“To receive these prestigious awards from a valued partner like Eastman Chemical is a great honor,” said Longo. “Northern Safety is dedicated to providing high-quality products and ensuring the health and safety of our customers. We take pride in our work, providing excellent service and continually pushing to innovate and seek out ways to improve solutions for our customers. To be honored for both of those commitments is greatly appreciated.”

Less than two percent of more than 6,500 Eastman suppliers ever earn a single Supplier Excellence Award and less than 10 have won more than four, making Northern Safety’s sixth consecutive Supplier Excellence Award an incredible accomplishment.

In notifying Northern Safety of the awards, Eastman Chemical noted Northern Safety’s value-added contributions to the customer-supplier relationship, such as “second-to-none customer support, identified and implemented cost savings solutions, sustainability improvements and continuing to add value to Eastman Chemical Company by challenging our thought processes.”

About Northern Safety & Industrial

Northern Safety Co., Inc. is a national distributor of top quality safety and industrial supplies. The company currently services over 100,000 customers and employs nearly 500 people across its 20 locations. Its headquarters in Frankfort, New York serves as its main call center, operational center, and primary distribution center. Northern Safety distributes a wide variety of brand name products, including 3M™, Honeywell, DeWalt™, Moldex, MSA, Ansell Healthcare, Von Drehle Paper, Manulatex, Dexter-Russell Cutlery and countless others. In addition, the Company developed its own line of safety and industrial products under the NS® Brand name. Members of the NS® Brand family include its flagship brand, N-Specs® Safety Eyewear, Gloves, ActivGARD® Protective Apparel, NS® Respiratory Protection, Head & Face Protection, ActivFlex® Ergonomics, Fall Protection, and several others. Northern Safety distributes its products through multiple catalog mailings, its inside and outside sales force, as well as its fully interactive website, www.northernsafety.com.