What OCENCO does

Ocenco, Incorporated is a privately held U.S. manufacturer of emergency escape breathing apparatus and explosion-proof lighting, headquartered in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin and founded in 1970. The company designs and produces self-contained self-rescuers (SCSR), emergency escape breathing devices (EEBD), and emergency breathing apparatus (EBA) based on compressed-oxygen closed-circuit breathing technology, with a product portfolio spanning 10-minute (M-20 SCSR), 15-minute (M-20.2 EEBD/EEBA), 30-minute (M-40 SCSR), and 90-minute (EBA 6.5) protection durations, plus explosion-proof lighting for underground mining. Customers are concentrated in five regulated verticals: maritime/offshore oil, military/defense (including U.S. Navy), mining, railroad, and industrial/tunneling, served via direct enterprise sales for government/defense accounts and an authorized distributor network globally.

The company's competitive position rests on a dense portfolio of international certifications (NIOSH, MSHA, MED Wheelmark, CE/EN 13794, ABS, UKCA, UKNI, AS/NZS 1716, FRA) and proprietary design features including sub-10-second donning, transparent-case visual inspection, and 15-year maintenance-free service life. Ocenco has expanded its capabilities through three strategic acquisitions: Interspiro AB (Sweden, 2003) for firefighting SCBA and professional diving equipment, Matisec (France, 2007) for European PPE distribution, and CTS Cylinders (Italy, 2018) for Type 4 composite cylinder technology. Revenue is generated almost entirely through hardware sales of these safety products, with pricing handled privately through distributors and direct sales representatives; no public pricing, revenue figures, or funding rounds are disclosed.

Name

OCENCO

Legal name

Ocenco, Incorporated

Website

https://ocenco.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ocenco, founded in 1970 and based in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, manufactures compressed-oxygen self-contained escape breathing apparatus and explosion-proof lighting for maritime, military, mining, railroad, and industrial/tunneling customers globally via direct sales and authorized distributors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Safety Equipment

NAICS

Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510)

SIC

Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845)

akta.pro primary industry

Anesthesia & Respiratory Gas Delivery Equipment (Breathing Circuits, Vaporizers, Gas Mixers) (HLAHAGAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Emergency, Egress & Exit Lighting (Emergency luminaires, exit signs, battery backup) (IMAGAIAD)

Keywords

• Emergency breathing apparatus
• Self-contained self-rescuers
• Respiratory protection equipment
• Explosion-proof mining lighting
• Closed-circuit breathing devices

Headquarters

HQ city

Pleasant Prairie

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Emergency Breathing Device Sales: Ocenco generates revenue through the sale of proprietary emergency escape breathing apparatus, self-contained self-rescuers (SCSR), and related safety equipment including explosion-proof lighting products. The company sells directly and through authorized distributors to industrial, military, and government customers globally.
2. Explosion-Proof Lighting Equipment: Sale of MSHA-approved underground lighting products including headlights, area lights, and warning lights for mining applications. Products are sold alongside breathing apparatus as complementary safety equipment.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

OCENCO designs and manufactures self-contained emergency escape breathing apparatus (EEBD/EEBA, SCSR, and CCER products) and explosion-proof lighting for use in hazardous and oxygen-deficient atmospheres. Product lines (M-20, M-20.2, M-20.3, M-40, EBA 6.5) provide 10 to 90 minutes of breathable oxygen and are sold globally to military, maritime, mining, railroad, and industrial/tunneling customers. Hardware is complemented by a Breathing Simulator used to validate device performance.

Product overview

Ocenco is a manufacturer of emergency respiratory protection equipment, offering a portfolio of Self Contained Self Rescuers (SCSR), Emergency Escape Breathing Devices (EEBD), and Emergency Breathing Apparatus (EBA) products. The product lineup spans multiple duration ratings: the M-20 series provides 10-15 minutes of breathable air, the M-40 extends to 30 minutes, and the EBA 6.5 offers 90 minutes of protection. The company also provides supporting equipment including the Breathing Simulator for testing and a line of explosion-proof lighting products (AR-100 Area Light, HE-50 Headlight, HE-50 Red Warning Light) for underground mining applications. Product variations include belt-worn, carried, locomotive-mounted, and military-specified configurations to serve mining, maritime, tunnel, confined space, and military end markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• M-20 SCSR Belt-wearable self-contained self-rescuer providing 10 minutes of breathable air, designed for use in mines, tunnels, and confined spaces during emergency escape scenarios.
• M-20.2 EEBD / EEBA Self-contained closed-circuit breathing apparatus with automatic oxygen-on-demand activation, available in belt-worn/hand-carried/over-shoulder or tamper-proof orange wall-mountable locomotive configurations. Provides 15 minutes rated duration (10 minutes NIOSH / 15 minutes CE), 100 l/min oxygen flow at high work rates, sub-10-second donning, MED Wheelmark approval, and a 15-year maintenance-free service life.
• M-20.2 EEBA - Carried Self-contained closed-circuit breathing apparatus in a black protective case intended for belt-worn, hand-carried, or over-shoulder carry, providing 15 minutes of breathable air for escape from toxic or oxygen-deficient atmospheres.
• M-20.2 EEBA - Locomotive Mounted Self-contained closed-circuit breathing apparatus housed in a tamper-proof, high-visibility orange wall-mountable case with a clear door for visual inspection without removal; satisfies FRA Final Rule (FR Doc. 2024-01074) requirements for 15-minute EEBA for locomotive crewmembers.
• M-20.3 CCER Military Closed-circuit escape respirator designed for military operations, meeting U.S. Navy requirements for shipboard shock and vibration, salt spray corrosion, and performance reliability, with 24 liters of available oxygen, sub-15-second donning, and NIOSH CAP 1 approval.
• M-20.3 CCER Mining Closed-circuit escape respirator designed for mining operations, certified to NIOSH CAP 1-20L standards for underground mining environments.
• M-40 SCSR Lightweight, ergonomically designed compressed-oxygen self-contained self-rescuer offering 30 minutes of escape time, with belt-worn or storable configurations and EU PPE Regulation 2016/425 Category III, EN 13794:2002, and AS/NZS 1716:2012 approvals.
• EBA 6.5 SCSR Extended-duration self-contained closed-circuit breathing apparatus using 157 liters of compressed oxygen rated for 90 minutes at 35 l/m VE (up to 8 hours at rest with manual adjustment), with MSHA/NIOSH plus Republic of South Africa, Australia, China, and CE approvals.
• Breathing Simulator Metabolic simulator used to validate the performance and safety of emergency escape breathing apparatus under realistic physiological conditions.
• Explosion-Proof Mining Lighting (AR-100 Area Light, HE-50 Headlight, HE-50 Red Warning Light) Explosion-proof underground lighting products comprising MSHA-approved area lights (AR-100), headlights (HE-50), and red warning lights, designed to provide hands-free illumination and visual warnings in hazardous mining environments.

Quantifiable outcome

• Donning time under 10 seconds for M-20.2
• +3 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered major.

• Viking Life-Saving EquipmentmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorViking Life-Saving Equipment is an authorized Ocenco distributor for maritime and offshore oil markets. They provide respiratory protection products including M-20.2 EEBD to maritime customers globally.
• Survitec GroupmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSurvitec Group is an authorized Ocenco distributor for maritime and offshore oil markets. They distribute Ocenco emergency breathing devices to the maritime industry worldwide.
• Carroll Technologies GroupmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCarroll Technologies Group is an authorized Ocenco distributor for the U.S. mining market. They provide Ocenco's M-20, M-20.3, M-40, and EBA 6.5 products to mining customers.
• Lee SupplymajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLee Supply is an authorized Ocenco distributor for the U.S. mining market, supplying emergency breathing devices to mining operations.
• United Central Industrial SupplymajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUnited Central Industrial Supply is an authorized Ocenco distributor for the U.S. mining market, providing respiratory protection equipment to mining customers.
• Levitt-SafetymajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLevitt-Safety is an authorized Ocenco distributor for the Canadian mining market. They distribute Ocenco emergency breathing apparatus to mining operations in Canada.
• VallenmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVallen is an authorized Ocenco distributor for the Canadian mining market, providing safety equipment including respiratory protection devices.
• Austdac Pty LimitedmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustdac Pty Limited is an authorized Ocenco distributor for the Australian mining market, distributing Ocenco's emergency escape breathing devices to Australian mining operations.
• LabrismajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLabris is an authorized Ocenco distributor for the Turkey mining market, providing respiratory protection equipment to Turkish mining customers.
• Five Star Safety EquipmentmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFive Star Safety Equipment is an authorized Ocenco distributor for the U.S. industrial and tunneling market, distributing emergency breathing devices to industrial customers.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA: German safety and medical technology company that manufactures SCBA, escape respirators, and gas detection equipment for fire, mining, maritime, and military customers. Closely comparable product portfolio and end markets to Ocenco, with broader geographic scale.
• MSA Safety Incorporated: US-listed safety equipment manufacturer with a leading position in self-contained breathing apparatus and respiratory protection for industrial, fire service, and military applications. Direct competitor across nearly all of Ocenco's served verticals.
• Avon Protection plc: UK-based specialist in military and first-responder respiratory and ballistic protection, including SCBA and escape respirators. Closely comparable in military and emergency-escape product lines.
• Sundström Safety AB: Swedish manufacturer of respiratory protective equipment including SCBA and escape devices, with strong presence in European mining, industrial, and firefighting markets. Highly comparable specialty respiratory peer, particularly relevant given Ocenco's Interspiro heritage.
• Bullard: US-based privately held manufacturer of head, eye, face, and respiratory protection for industrial, fire, and military customers, including supplied-air respirators and escape devices. Directly comparable mid-sized specialty safety peer.
• Gentex Corporation: US defense supplier of advanced respiratory protection systems, aircrew life-support equipment, and personnel protection for military operators. Closely aligned to Ocenco's M-20.3 CCER military product line.
• Spasciani S.p.A. Italian respiratory protection specialist producing SCBA, escape respirators, and filters for industrial, fire, and military customers across Europe. Comparable niche European peer, relevant given Ocenco's Italy-based CTS Cylinders subsidiary.

Broad incumbents

• 3M (Personal Safety Division): Diversified conglomerate whose Scott Safety acquisition gives it a major SCBA and escape respirator portfolio across industrial, fire, and military. Wider product mix and deeper distribution, but directly overlaps Ocenco's core SCBA/EEBD offerings.
• Honeywell International (Personal Protective Equipment): Global safety conglomerate offering respiratory protection, head/eye protection, and fall protection through brands such as North and Howard Leight. Competes with Ocenco in industrial and military escape respirators as part of a much broader portfolio.
• Eaton Corporation (Crouse-Hinds / Hazardous Area Lighting): Diversified industrial manufacturer whose Crouse-Hinds and Cooper Lighting businesses produce explosion-proof and hazardous-location lighting for mining, oil & gas, and industrial customers. Directly comparable to Ocenco's HE-50 and AR-100 explosion-proof lighting lines.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance11 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about OCENCO