SureWerx, a global supplier of safety products, tools, and equipment, has named Scott Dowell as its next chief executive officer. The leadership change comes as the company expands its fall protection portfolio with the acquisition of Reliance Fall Protection, a move that underscores SureWerx’s strategy of growth through acquisition.
Dowell, who steps into the role on May 27, brings more than two decades of experience in industrial distribution. He previously served as senior vice president and general manager of Wesco’s U.S. Industrial Division, where he focused on channel growth and operational efficiency. His appointment signals SureWerx’s intent to prioritize commercial execution and scale its presence in global safety markets.
The executive transition follows the departure of long-term CEO Chris Baby, who will remain with the company as executive director of mergers and acquisitions. Baby led SureWerx for 15 years, overseeing 17 acquisitions and driving a transformation from a regional Canadian tool supplier into a multi-brand safety platform with international reach.
One of Baby’s final moves as CEO was leading the acquisition of Reliance Fall Protection, a company based in Houston and Arvada, Colorado, that engineers specialized systems for fall safety. Founded in 2000, Reliance has built a reputation for its proprietary technologies such as the Skyloc II self-retracting lifeline and the Enviroshield Sealed-Block. The company adheres to ANSI Z359 and ISO 17025 standards and serves industries where fall risk is a key concern.
The addition of Reliance brings new technical capabilities to SureWerx’s existing fall protection brands, FALL SAFE and PeakWorks, and reflects a broader push into height safety solutions. While the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, the acquisition is expected to deepen SureWerx’s footprint in North America and enhance its product offerings for industrial and construction customers.
Reliance founder Joe Shaw said the deal provides an opportunity to scale the business through SureWerx’s global distribution network while maintaining a focus on workplace safety and regulatory compliance.
Based in both Vancouver, British Columbia, and Elgin, Illinois, SureWerx operates across industrial, construction, utility, and transportation sectors, distributing a range of safety and productivity brands. The acquisition of Reliance marks a continuation of its M&A-driven growth model, with Baby now focused exclusively on identifying and integrating future targets.
Dowell’s appointment and the Reliance acquisition reflect a tightening alignment between operational leadership and long-term expansion efforts, as SureWerx positions itself for continued consolidation in the global safety equipment market.
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