National Safety Apparel, the parent company of DRIFIRE and Wild Things, was founded in 1935. DRIFIRE recently hosted an event on the USS Midway establishing DRIFIRE as the leading brand for all of National Safety Apparel. Not just the tactical side of the brand which most SSD readers are familiar with, but the parts of the company which produce uniforms like FR Hy vis, Rainwear and Daily Wear for industrial workers join FR Base Layers and Military uniforms under DRIFIRE.
While planning for the Mission Red event on the Midway, NSA found that they actually made clothing for the workers producing the steel that Newport News Shipbuilding used to build the USS Midway.
Today under the NSA Military division, there are two military brands, DRIFIRE, and Wild Things which are fully committed to COTS military apparel manufacturing.
NSA continues to invest in their factories, making Berry Amendment-compliant clothing and textiles right here in America.
Some recent achievements:
• DRIFIRE FORTREX was recently selected in the combat shirt and pant of choice for one of America’s most prominent allies.
• FORTREX was also approved for the IAE program. Several F22 Raptor fighter pilots have been outfitted with F35 pilots next in line.
• True to DRIFIRE heritage, they recently released a new line of 4-way stretch FR self-extinguishing and temperature-regulating base layers. (Body heat is absorbed into the fabric while active, stored, and then released during a static state)
• The DRIFIRE advanced high-performance fabric team has accomplished FORTREX stretch technology for the first time. The patented FORTREX stretch woven fabric will change the game of advanced high-performance and flame-resistant combat shirts, pants, flight suits, and many more products in the future.
One thing the brand learned during the COVID-19 outbreak was adaptability. Not only did they rely more heavily on their investment in US manufacturing, but also learned to use it in new ways. Consequently, as they move into FY23 and beyond, they create the ability to mobilize our factories even more than today to support a surge due to any unforeseen conflict or crises and be ready to serve those who serve us.