Airplanes are used to fight some of the most dangerous fires, with states spending millions on maintaining and expanding their arsenal of aircraft parts capable for firefighting. These amazing aircraft can drop nearly 12,000 gallons of fire retardant in one takeoff. This fire retardant has been tested to be double the firefighting capability of water and almost 9 million gallons of it was used in 2015 alone. California has the largest fleet of firefighting planes and helicopters, with 22 air tankers, 12 helicopters and 14 tactical planes. This shows the investment that states are willing to spend on what they think of as an extremely valuable firefighting tool.
Founded in 1902 and headquartered in Two Harbors, Minnesota, 3M Company started as corundum mining venture and eventually became one of the largest product manufacturers in the world today. 3M Company labels their products under the following markets: Display & Graphics, Electronics, Electrical & Communications, Health Care, Safety & Security, Transportation, Manufacturing & Industry, Office, Home & Leisure, and Government. With over 55,000 products spanning in a wide range of different markets, 3M Company has become a multi-billion dollar company that employs over 88,000 people worldwide. The company’s operation spans over 65 countries with distribution and retailers in over 200 countries.3M Company’s product portfolio includes (but is not limited to): Industrial Tapes and Adhesives, Abrasives, Vehicle Care, Electrical OEM Materials, Fire Protection Systems, Government Solutions, Paints & Coatings, and Infrastructure Protection Products.
Gentex Corporation, not to be confused with Gentex, is a private company that manufactures products for the military, Special Forces, law enforcement, and emergency medical services. In 1932, after the great depression, Marcus Frieder bought Klots Throwing Company and renamed it General Textile Mills. As the largest silk manufacturer in America the General Textile Company assisted in World War II by producing parachutes, eventually becoming the largest manufactures of parachutes in America. Due to the advancements in their cloth technology Gentex Corp was approached by the government to design a new helmet for pilots. To improve their line of helmets Protection, Inc. was purchased. Shortly after respiratory products started to be produced. Then Derry was acquired and Gentex Corp was able to begin manufacturing electroacoustic communication systems.
