PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Mine Safety Appliances Co. named William M. Lambert the company's chief executive as part of a succession plan established last year, the health and safety products maker said Tuesday.

Lambert, 50, was selected to be the company's next CEO last year. He was most recently president and chief operating officer. He has also been president of the North America division, general manager of MSA's safety products division, director of marketing for safety products, a project engineer and a product line manager.

Lambert replaces John T. Ryan III, who has been chairman and CEO since 1991. Ryan will stay on as non-executive chairman.