Newsflash:
Mehler Vario System Gmbh (MVS) signs strategic partnership.
Since 18.12.2019, Mehler Vario System Gmbh takes over 51 % of the shares of UF PRO, 49 % remain with the previous owners Milena Wagner, Armin Wagner and Nejc Zavrl.
THIS NOW UNITED THE MEHLER VARIO SYSTEM GMBH, UF PRO AND LINDNERHOF Tactics, which results in a pretty strong overall package.
Source: ePIG Group
Rhonda Valles is a recognized leader with over 20 years of experience in the active, action-sports, tactical and military apparel manufacturing industry. With a consultative, and solutions oriented approach Rhonda has been the “Oz behind the curtain” of many of the industry’s top Made in USA/ Berry Compliant tactical apparel brands from 2008-present as well as global commercial brands. She was launched into military apparel with her company’s astounding success and physics defying fastest (90 days to max capacity) ramp up of the new USMC Running Suit back in 2008 and since then has successfully produced over 1.5 million units of various styles ranging from base layers to outerwear. Her company was awarded over 72 million dollars in prime contracts, was given an ARP by DCMA, certified as 8a and 8m, ISO900:2008, exceeded delivery expectations and received many accolades from clients and colleagues from industry giants such as New Balance, Quiksilver and US Marine Corps. She has intuitive insight gained from a lifetime of experience in the active and sports apparel industry and has attributed her many successes by her ability to work cohesively with teams such as Sales, Project Management, Planning, Procurement, Contract Managers, Administrators, Quality Assurance, Buying Agents, Factory owners and supply chain vendors.
She assists companies with new product development, production planning and management, reducing waste, increasing efficiencies, compliance adherence, innovative technology integration, production automation, strategic planning, team management and leadership training. Her unique skillset coupled with her fun, upbeat and “can do” personality makes her the type of business partner that will always get you a win! To learn more or contact Rhonda please visit her website at www.RhondaV.com.
Not only did Kitfox Design Group recently launch a new website, but they’ve filled their dance card as well, at least for the near future. If you want them to create a unique patch design for you, they’ve still got some opening for the 2020 NRA Annual Meeting next spring. However, they have some slots open for meetings at SHOT Show if you’d like to discuss future collaborations.
We are happy to report that Mean Gene Leather is running just a little slow on fulfilling orders. Normally this would be a cause for concern, but in this instance a good sign.
Not too long ago, MGL’s founder Gene Higdon suffered a heart attack at home and was taken by ambulance to the hospital. He was released a few days later with a couple of stents and assorted other ticker-upgrades. Since then, per the doctor’s orders, he has been “taking it easy”, and then later this week he’ll be back at with the sawbones to deal with two more blockages (which will be treated with medication).
These orderlies will be reinforced with other young’uns shortly – in fact, there will be at least five of them on duty by Friday.
Some of Gene’s grandkids keeping him out of the shop.
If you have an order outstanding with MGL, hang in there – it’s coming. You can still order most items off the website, but be advised: it won’t be there by Christmas, and will probably take somewhat longer than normal to ship.
Of course, in Mean Gene’s world, “taking it easy” would normally mean a 40-50 hour work week instead of his normal 90+, but happily he’s been assigned a couple of orderlies to keep him in line.
For additional information, contact info@meangeneleather.com.
St Charles, MO – Propper International is proud to announce Kevin Dixie, owner of No Other Choice (NOC) Firearms Training and community advocate, as our newest Brand Ambassador.
Kevin’s positive influence has grown exponentially over the past several years as he nurtured his national “Aiming for the Truth” program (recently awarded non-profit status) that reaches out to families throughout the country to educate them on how gun rights can benefit the African-American community, with an emphasis on having “no other choice” before employing a firearm in self-defense.
“Being an instructor is more than teaching people about protecting their lives,” Kevin said. “It’s also about teaching them to value themselves. I’m happy to be aligned with Propper, a brand that believes in people the way that I do.”
Prior to founding NOC, Kevin spent 10 years working in Prisoner Processing for the City of St. Louis Police Department.
“Kevin’s passion for educating people is inspirational,” said John Negrau, VP of Marketing & E-Commerce for Propper. “He has worked with Propper as a sponsored shooter for the past three years and we are excited to expand our relationship and have him aboard as a Brand Ambassador.”
In addition to his own video channel, Kevin has appeared on NRA TV, front and center on the cover of Time magazine, on a wide assortment of other industry video channels, and was recently a featured speaker at a pro-gun rights rally on the steps of the U.S. Capitol.
Chris Sizelove has joined Chappy and John Spears as a principal instructor and Breaching Program Manager for Forge Tactical, a full service government and law enforcement training and consulting firm.
Chris joins Forge after retiring from the Army after twenty years of service; sixteen in the 75th Ranger Regiment as an infantryman, followed by four years with the Defense Intelligence Agency.
While in the 75th Chris became an SME and instructor for carbine, pistol, CQB, and forced entry TTP’s as well as joint operations in general as an assaulter and strike force senior NCO. He was a sniper, and served in a Sniper/Reconnaissance element; and was the Master Breacher for 75th. Chris also developed and instructed covert carry and vehicle TTP’s for specific roles.
Prior to joining the Army, Chris was fortunate in that he was local to Gunsite Training Center where he worked while in high school as a range hand and professional brass picker-upper. It was there that he met men like Jeff Cooper, Louis Awerbuck, Chris Dwiggins and Pat Rogers – and his decision to join the military was sealed.
Twenty years and thirteen combat deployments and overseas tours later, Chris is returning to the training industry and is honored to work with Forge Tactical in an effort to provide training and expertise to those that seek it in order to benefit themselves, their teams, and their communities.
To learn more about Forge Tactical, visit the website at forgetactical.com; or email chappy@forgetactical.com.
> After a Communist government came to power in Laos in 1975, the U.S. was a safe destination for displaced Lao and Hmong. McRae Footwear helped many refugees start a new life in Mount Gilead, NC.
DURING THE VIETNAM WAR, the U.S. secretly recruited thousands of citizens in Southeast Asia, including Laos, to support the war against the Communists and North Vietnamese. In the mid-1970s, when the U.S. pulled out of these countries, many Southeast Asians fled. They led their families on perilous treks to refugee camps in Thailand and other countries. In the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s, many Lao and Hmong, a mountainous tribe with its own ethnic designation, emigrated to the U.S. to start a new life. They settled mainly in Minnesota, Wisconsin, California, and North Carolina.
“The language barrier at times made training difficult, but the Lao and Hmong had an excellent work ethic and made – and continue to make – a huge contribution to our business.”
— Victor Karam, Director, McRae Industries
One prominent Laotian military officer who fought alongside the U.S. armed forces was Geu Vang, an army colonel fluent in seven languages. After settling in Minneapolis, MN, with his family in 1981, he soon assumed a leadership role in helping Lao and Hmong refugees adapt to their new American lives.
“Our people were suffering,” says Geu. “They had lost everything. Many were deeply depressed. I wrote a letter to several organizations in the U.S., seeking job opportunities for refugees so they would not be reliant on public assistance.”
Mass exodus: Scores of Lao and Hmong sought refuge in Thailand – and many eventually moved to the U.S.
Branson McRae, president and CEO of McRae Industries, received Geu’s correspondence and invited Geu to visit him in Mt. Gilead, NC, in 1987. Looking to add employees to his shoe factory in Wadeville, Branson was drawn to the Lao and Hmong work ethnic and spirited sense of community. Geu saw tremendous opportunity for his people and relocated with some 20 families to Mt. Gilead to start work with McRae. Jobs ranged from sewing to inspecting boots and operating lasting and vulcanizing equipment.
A new life across the ocean: Geu Vang, a former Laotian army colonel, was instrumental in acclimating Laotians to America.
Branson owned a tract of land in Wadeville and decide to put it to good use by providing housing for his new employees. He added 20 mobile homes on one-and two-acre lots on a hillside near the plant, offering each Lao and Hmong family a lease-to-own contract. Soon dotted with chicken farms and vegetable gardens, the community was christened Samthong Village. Translation: “Pot of Gold.” The development was within walking distance of the McRae factories and community schools.
Today, Samthong Village is home to 30 Lao and Hmong families. Geu and his wife, MayKao, who have six children and seven grandchildren, continue to be cornerstones of the community. Along with his liaison work, Geu teaches a Laotian Sunday School class at Mt. Gilead First Baptist Church and serves on the Board of Deacons.
Building community: Laotian culture is preserved for the Lao and Hmong living in the Mount Gilead area.
Lao and Hmong employees currently make up about 15 percent of McRae’s workforce.
“The company gives its workers many incentives for productivity, ” Geu says. “The more boots produced, the more the take-home pay. McRae also provides generous health insurance and a partial match on a 401K plan.”
“Branson had a huge vision for our community, and he listened to our needs. He gave us a new start. He helped us to become independent. And he continues to inspire each new generation.”
A generous heart: Branson McRae is remembered as a benevolent employer and engaging mentor to the Lao and Hmong community.
Schmidt & Bender GmbH & Co. KG of Biebertal, Germany and EuroOptic, LTD of Montoursville, Pennsylvania are proud to announce that EuroOptic will assume commercial distribution of Schmidt Bender product in the United States and territories. Schmidt Bender’s long history and reputation for demanding perfection mesh perfectly with EuroOptic’s pride in quality products and presence in the precision shooting and hunting world – making for an exciting and synergistic partnership.
In addition to assisting in streamlining Schmidt Bender’s extensive catalog for the smoothest possible presentation into the US market, this opportunity also offers EuroOptic and Schmidt Bender the chance to drive momentum for the latest technologies that Schmidt Bender has introduced, including the DT II+ locking double-turn turret with configurable MTC (“More Tactile Clicks”) functionality, the Multi-Turn 2 (MT2) 39.3 milradian .5cm turret, and the LRR-Mil and GR2ID long-range reticles, all of which represent substantial contributions to the long-range and precision/tactical shooting community.
For additional information regarding Schmidt Bender products, please visit the links below or contact Schmidt Bender Inc or EuroOptic via email.
EuroOptic, LTD
www.eurooptic.com/schmidt-bender-riflescopes
sales@eurooptic.com | 570.369.3920
Schmidt Bender, Inc
l.welch@schmidt-bender-us.com | 540-450-8132
