Honeywell International has purchased Norcross Safety Products, LLC, parent of the Cranston-based manufacturer North Safety Products, for approximately $1.2 billion, the companies announced yesterday .

Norcross, based in Oak Brook, Ill., is a leading manufacturer of personal protective equipment used in work environments such as firefighting, electrical and other industrial work places.

Norcross is the parent of North Safety Products, which employs more than 2,000 worldwide, with manufacturing operations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and China. The work force includes 350 employees at its Cranston manufacturing plant and headquarters on Plainfield Pike, said David Barricelli Jr., a company spokesman.

This is Norcross’ fifth acquisition since it was founded 75 years ago as Welsh Manufacturing in Providence’s Olneyville section. The company, which at one point was owned by Textron, changed its name to Norcross in 1998.

In 2005, Norcross was purchased by private equity firm Odyssey Investment Partners LLC , which owned the company until this latest purchase by Honeywell. Throughout all of its ownership changes, Barricelli said, the company has always maintained its operation in Rhode Island.

Honeywell, based in Morris Township, N.J., is a $37-billion diversified technology and manufacturing leader, with customers worldwide in aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials, according to a news release.

The combined companies will form a new line of business called Honeywell Safety Products, within Honeywell Life Safety, part of Automation and Control Solutions, the company said.

“We’re excited to have the opportunity to participate in the dynamic growth of the personal protective industry,” Mark Levy, president of Honeywell Life Safety, said in a statement. “Together, we combine rich histories of delivering safety products, services and technologies that meet customers’ needs, while complying with the very strict regulations that the industry demands.”

No changes are planned for the Cranston operation, said a Honeywell spokeswoman, Julie Franklin. “This acquisition is about growth for us,” she said, “The Cranston facility is the GFP headquarters and R&D marketing, and those will continue to support that businesses.”

North Safety Products was the first company to manufacture Butyl gloves, which are now used world-wide for protection against chemical and biological warfare threats, according to a history provided by the company. The company also is known for its 770 Series half-mask respirator and 7600 Series full face piece, both designed over 20 years ago, the company said.

Norcross is a leader in several major industry segments including Air Purifying Regulators, protective footwear, protective headgear, firefighter turnout gear, high-voltage sleeves and gloves, and arc flash protection. Norcross sells its products under brand names such as North, KCL, Fibre-Metal, Morning Pride, Pro-Warrington, Salisbury and Servus, the company said. Its distribution network has more than 2,500 locations.

Norcross’ revenue last year was approximately $609 million, according to the company’s Web site.

larditi@projo.com