I recently had an opportunity to visit the FirstSpear headquarters and factory so I thought it would be a good idea to show you where all of this gear we share each week is made.
The first thing you’ll notice as you pull up to their facility is the signage. Although, the factory is right off of the interstate, you’re certainly not going to miss it and approach the wrong building.
Once inside, I signed in and was directed to a new sales show room they are configuring. The shelving is still under construction but several of the mannequins featured new products, so I can’t spill the beans just yet. But, once it’s completed, we’ll feature it in an upcoming Friday Focus.
As you can see, the production floor is quite large. You may wonder about the silver pipes. Those allow the individual sewers to direct air conditioning where they need it.
Flotation remains an important segment of FirstSpear’s current offerings. They were pumping out systems like gangbusters during my visit.
Their cutters are what keeps that line running. FS recently upgraded to a larger capacity laser cutter and it has really sped things up.
There’s a lot of prototyping going on right now and FirstSpear’s prototype sewing staff is as big as some companies’ entire production crew. They’re getting ready for some very big reveals this Fall, but the one for SHOT Show will blow your socks off. Expect to see not only new designs, but also new materials.
FS keeps a great deal of raw material on hand, with rows and rows of shelving packed with stock.
Demand for FirstSpear products continues to rise. In spite of their increased production capacity, wait times are only seeming to get longer, so I’d recommend that if you know you’ll need something, order sooner, rather than later.
I want to order one of their wind jackets they make for Hill People Gear, complete with that totally un pc cyote neck warmer
I ordered one, I had to wait for it to come into stock but it was worth it.
I have both a Recon Kit bag and a Ute pack from HPG, and I gotta say, First Spear’s quality is top notch. I have yet to find a flaw in the construction.
I have one of their Wind Cheater jackets, and it is excellent. Some guys might think that it’s on the spendy side, but you get what you pay for, and I think it’s a great value for the money. I cannot think of anything on that piece that I would change, and that’s a rare thing for me. I feel the same about my HPG kit. Build quality and attention to detail are both top shelf.
You aren’t wrong. I paid…a lot for my Ute pack. It’s heavier than commercial offerings, and significantly more expensive, but the quality is undeniable, it’s modular, and it’s Made in the USA. Buy once cry once!
North American factories really hate natural light compared to (high end) Asian factories…
Oh and look, Keymod shelves!
Well, depending on where in NA there may not be that much natural light available on a consistent basis to light a factory. The Pacific Northwest comes to mind, a part of the US that’s known for lots of rain and fog, and there’s probably parts of the Mid-West that might not get that much consistent sun.
Don’t get me wrong, it can’t be 100% natural light- that doesn’t work anywhere except way up north during summer months. A mix is absolutely the way to go for a good work environment, even in places where there is fog and rain- like where I live on the PNW.
I am patiently awaiting the return of the Squadron Smock.
I’m told it’s coming. I want one in Manatee.
Ditto.
Thirded.
Seeing those pictures, I want to go to there.
Did the factory tour a Paraclete pre MSA. I’m sure it’s the same thing here but textile people are pretty cool. Most are were far from tacticool and were not personally into the industry. Heck many had worked at that factory when it made jeans and some before that. Sewing was seeing to them. What was cool to me was their employee play table. It was an area where they could knock around different ideas and built what ever they wanted out of scraps. Some things were unrelated to the tactical field, some were ideas that made into a product line, some were just things they found handy in everyday life. Organizers, aprons and such. Reminded me a lot of John Carvers new Atlas company.
Just superb stuff. Very eagerly awaiting the new released (doubly so when I see the words new materials).