When I got this last night I was pretty stoked. I’ve known Mike a long time and its great to see that he’s back out here, in the mix with us.
MIKE NOELL, LAUNCHES M3 “INVESTING IN AMERICA”
Industry Innovator Mike Noell Launches M3 “Investing in America”, a Private Equity Company for the Military, Law Enforcement, Private Security and Outdoor Markets
NORFOLK, VA (May 14, 2013) – Mike Noell, founder and former CEO of BLACKHAWK! Products Group and an industry leader in the design and manufacture of tactical, military, law enforcement and outdoor equipment, has launched M3 “Investing in America,” a private equity company with a mission to support new and growing companies with capital and management resources.
M3 “Investing in America,” a company founded on the same ideals that made BLACKHAWK! a household name, was created by Mr. Noell to help companies grow successfully.
A former U.S. Navy SEAL, Mr. Noell experienced his business epiphany when his military-issued, 100-lb. pack broke, ejecting gear. Quickly realizing the area was littered with mines and that luck was on his side, Mr. Noell promised himself that if he returned to the U.S., he would make gear that would not compromise soldiers or their missions.
Mr. Noell’s leadership and management skills were what took his small cut-and-sew start-up out of his garage in 1993 to a 65,000 sq. ft., 3.5 story corporate headquarters with manufacturing in 3 states and a global presence by 2008. During his tenure as president and CEO of BLACKHAWK!, Mr. Noell and his highly skilled and experienced team, were responsible for the acquisition of nine companies and brands and the development of some of the most innovative products in the industry today. Many of the products developed have become benchmarks within their categories, including the SERPA® holster, which is today a market share leader in law enforcement and civilian holsters; the Gladius® illumination tool which revolutionized the flashlight market with digital components and strobing capabilities, and the Integrated Tourniquet System (I.T.S.) which provides security, military and law enforcement with a quick-access, built-in tourniquet system to stem blood loss in limbs during combat situations.
After a seventeen year run, Mr. Noell had successfully positioned BLACKHAWK! for acquisition to ATK and in 2010 and Mr. Noell retired to spend time with his family. His decision to establish M3 “investing in America” provides a new pivotal role to pursue his passion and love of developing and growing companies by providing them with the productive and effective leadership skills, tools and resources to become brand leaders.
“I have always felt a deep respect and commitment to the men and women who serve our country and our communities. It is an honor to develop and produce products that can withstand any mission from the tortures of battle to the rigors of outdoor adventures,” Mike Noell, CEO of M3 “Investing in America” commented. “We are currently pursuing any potential relationships with like-minded companies.”
For more information on how M3 “Investing in America” helps growing companies contact Mike Noell atM.Noell@M3inv.com.
Tags: Mike Noell
“Investing in America” from the CEO of the company that makes the majority of its wares in Vietnam?
That’s exactly what I was thinking. Maybe this venture will redeem him.
Ironical.
isnt most of backhawks gear made in china ??????
isnt most of blackhawks gear made in china ??????
Didn’t Blackhawk! pioneer offshore sourcing and “borrowing” of competitors’ designs before Walmart? hahaha
I guess I’m fortunate to have some of the stuff that was made in USA…..picked it up around 1997 or 98…….when black was the cool color. IIRC they were the mil distributors for Camelbak then.
I even remember the days when they were the ones selling the VTAC sling.
Might be, but the ideas for it originated in the US, at Eagle Industries factory hahaha…
…whose ideas in turn originated at the London Bridge Trading factory. lol
Say what you will about BPG gear-I’m no particular fan of their stuff-but they were the only company in the industry over the last ten years that was run like a business rather than a hobby that got big. Many times they were the only source to get stuff in a hurry. Many times I needed to source parts quickly for a deploying unit, and nobody else could fill the order. BPG not only filled the order, they got it correct and shipped it quickly. That was because of Mike’s leadership.
I’m not a fan of Blackhawk either, but isn’t this a good thing for the industry. Especially at a time when other equity or investment may be drying up over the anti-gun circus? So what about the business model Blackhawk took? Who cares, if in the end, this new company can provide the industry with a new source of investment capital?
The American dream. Serve your country, serve your community and give back to those who may need a hand.
Have good one,
Connor
I think it’s a farce and an underhanded marketing gimmick to sweat patriotic Americans for his own financial gain. It’s a low rent technique to say the least. The guy who single handedly took his own companies manufacturing to Vietnam & China for fifty cents an hour wages in some hell hole sweatshop. It wasn’t just Blackhawk’s own branded products either but products they actually made under contract as well. Every Viking Tactics sling I still own was made in Vietnam by Blackhawk. It makes me want to throw them in the trash and drive to buy another American flag.
After I initially left a comment I seem to have clicked on the
-Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox
and from now on each time a comment is added I get 4 emails with the exact
same comment. There has to be an easy method you can
remove me from that service? Thank you!
I’ve met at spoken with Mr. Noell several times. And was always impressed with his accomplishments, and the scale of what he was able to build.
We have always offered a mix of products that allowed the user to decide what best fit their needs, and if they could afford to make a political statement with their wallet that week.
If this new venture allows for job creation within our industry, kudos to him.