Cairns stopped production on the N6A?

[Lono]

I saw this on thefirestore.com page, anyone know what is up with this?

"Limited Availability Due To Cairns Production Stoppage. Cairns temporarily stopped production of the N6A Houston due to manufacturing issues. No date has been provided for the restart of production. Please check dropdowns for available configurations, this may change on a daily basis. If you choose to place an order for an N6A helmet that is not in stock, there could be a several month waiting period. TheFireStore.com has relationships with many helmet manufacturers and would like to make the following recommendations. Cairns N5A New Yorker (OSHA), Phenix First Due 1500 TL-2 (NFPA), or Paul Conway American Heritage (NFPA) are suitable helmet alternatives."

[GTRider245]

Could it be that they finally realized they were putting out a helmet that was subpar to the ones they put out before the takeover? Ones that the paint peeled off of out of the box?

Interesting suggestion list. They have now started selling the TL-2. This will have a certain few on here going nuts I am sure.

[EngineCO38]

Thats very interesting to hear, hopefully they are going to fix most of the issues that popped up after MSA took over. Cairns did use to make great helmets, and with luck this means they'll improve and do that once more...But I'll stick with my TL2 even still

And oh hey look, another Vermonter. Greetings from Windham County brother.

[Lono]

I bought one last year and the paint has been pretty good. Definitely not what I expected after hearing some of the stories on here.

And hello from Southwest VT EngineCO38!

[EngineCO38]

I bought one last year and the paint has been pretty good. Definitely not what I expected after hearing some of the stories on here.

And hello from Southwest VT EngineCO38!

I've really only heard horror stories about the paint myself. Out of all the leathers at our station only one guy uses a Cairns and its Natural not painted. But good to hear that you got a helmet that didn't peel like a lot of the others did, the paint thing I hear about quite freaquently.

And Southwest Vermont eh, let me guess the Bennington area?

[sdfd504]

Here is what MSA had to say about the deal...

"Yes the N6a is currently on a production hold and not a manufacturing hold. The fire store has it wrong on the website and they have been inform about that. There is nothing wrong with the N6A that and in the field and that are being made. They still meet and exceed the nfpa standards. They should be off the production hold shortly.

Hope this helps
thanks"

[CaptOldTimer]

Just to show you when Cairns merged with MSA their products hit rock bottom, equal with MSA!

I had and use a old 1960 New Yorker, where the inside was sized to fit you head. No impact cap or adjustable liner. This severed well for over 40 years.

[Lono]

I've really only heard horror stories about the paint myself. Out of all the leathers at our station only one guy uses a Cairns and its Natural not painted. But good to hear that you got a helmet that didn't peel like a lot of the others did, the paint thing I hear about quite freaquently.

And Southwest Vermont eh, let me guess the Bennington area?

Good guess!

[Nick SBFD 6]

I hate to contribute to another helmet thread, but...

Is there any update on this? They're still showing prodcution stoppage on the N6A, it's been 5 months.

[thedozer]

Good guess!

a bit off topic.....but,

Lono, I have some family in Bennington and the surrounding area. Some friends on Bennington rural and also on Wilmington. I stop over in Woodford every couple of months. Youse guys still fighting the move to full time staff in Bennington? i gotta admire the work you guys put in.

[Lono]

a bit off topic.....but,

Lono, I have some family in Bennington and the surrounding area. Some friends on Bennington rural and also on Wilmington. I stop over in Woodford every couple of months. Youse guys still fighting the move to full time staff in Bennington? i gotta admire the work you guys put in.

I don't know that they will ever change to a paid department as the town isn't really growing, but there is always talk of consolidating the two departments into one.

I've been to a few mutual aid fires in Woodford and it's always tough to get water up there, especially in winter. It gives me a new appreciation for hydrants!

[truckedup133]

anybody have an update for us?

[NobodyAnymore]

anybody have an update for us?

I don't see any availability notice or warning for the N6A on thefirestore.com. Or for the N5A for that matter.

[firefightinirish217]

I don't see any availability notice or warning for the N6A on thefirestore.com. Or for the N5A for that matter.

There was one for the N6A, apparently they're etiher not restocking the N6A at all or they're selling off all of the old stock before they restock as they have only a few colors available and they're all on sale. I hope they're making room for the new product.

[164thDelta]

I contacted MSA personally and got an email from them saying that it will be atleast until after the first of the year. I had an order in for a new Houston with a dealer and then my buddy called me up about thefirestore having a sale last week. Well I picked up my new Houston from UPS yesterday. I couldn't believe it because I was ticked off with the wait/production halt and when I found out thefirestore.com had them...I jumped ship!!!

[164thDelta]

Here is a copy of what MSA sent back to me:

To whom it may concern,
Several months ago we discovered a manufacturing issue with the Cairns N6A
Houston leather fire helmet. Our plan was to evaluate the issue, determine potential
solutions, and then to get the helmets made with the new process certified as NFPA
compliant. Working through that plan has taken longer than expected, and
unfortunately I must report that we are still working to finalize our enhanced
manufacturing process.
At this time there is no set date for re-starting production of helmets. We will do our
best to let you know as soon as we expect to begin shipping helmets.
We understand that this unexpected and lengthy production stoppage has caused
some issues for our customers, and we apologize for that. Thank you for sticking
with us and continuing to support Cairns fire helmets.
If you have any questions or need any additional information, please contact MSA
Customer Service at 1-800-MSA-2222.
Sincerely,
Benjamin Mauti
Product Line Manager,
Cairns Fire Helmets

[truckedup133]

Just a FYI. Spoke with a lady at Cairns today and she said that production is set to take back off in January. Also she said that the issue was paint. Good news I think.

[CaptOldTimer]

I contacted MSA personally and got an email from them saying that it will be atleast until after the first of the year. I had an order in for a new Houston with a dealer and then my buddy called me up about thefirestore having a sale last week. Well I picked up my new Houston from UPS yesterday. I couldn't believe it because I was ticked off with the wait/production halt and when I found out thefirestore.com had them...I jumped ship!!!

It may be one of the older helmets and not a new one that is suppose to meet standards. Dealers will say aything to sell what is in stock.

[164thDelta]

It is.....checked on the inside...NFPA 1971/2007 edition

[firefightinirish217]

It is.....checked on the inside...NFPA 1971/2007 edition

Brother, that is the current NFPA helmet standard edition, the new edition doesn't come out until 2012. Your helemt is compliant, you may have some paint issues though, that is why Cairns stopped production for a bit, to figure out a solution to the paint issue. Hope you keep your receipt in case you have any paint issues so you can get it fixed by Cairns.