B5 Systems

Archive for the ‘Industry’ Category

ArmsPay – A Peer-to-Peer Payment System For The Firearms Industry

Thursday, November 8th, 2018

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We all know that many payment systems have refused to do business with law abiding businesses in the firearms industry as well as individuals making legal purchases. John Hwang, founder of Rainier Arms and TRIGRRCON, has been working on a peer to peer payment system for the firearms industry for nearly five years and feels they are getting closer and closer to the solution.

He says they tried partnering with payment provide Pistol Pay but the payment processor pulled the plug because they didn’t like the exposure. Consequently, they decided to build our own in order to fill this need.

www.armspay.com is the peer to peer payment solution.

www.revolvr.com will be the peer to peer market place.

Proforce Equipment, Inc. Signs Laura Burgess Marketing (LBM) to Grow Tasmanian Tiger Brand in US Market

Thursday, November 1st, 2018

As the exclusive US distributor for the global brand of high quality, professional tactical nylon products, Proforce Equipment will utilize LBM’s press and media relations services to introduce the American audience to an American-focused line of Tasmanian Tiger® gear.

Miramar, Fla. (October 2018) – Proforce Equipment, Inc., the exclusive distributor of several brands in North and South America, and the newly announced Tasmanian Tiger® tactical nylon line of products for the US market, has signed Laura Burgess Marketing (LBM) as their Public Relations firm.

LBM will be responsible for informing the American commercial, law enforcement and military markets of the Tasmanian Tiger products designed exclusively for an American audience through press releases, media outreach and writer relations. LBM will also develop the Tasmanian Tiger social media sites and branded newsletter in conjunction with the team at Proforce Equipment, Inc.

The Tasmanian Tiger brand of high quality, professional tactical nylon products for the military, special forces, SWAT and law enforcement, was established in 1999 and to date has been sold extensively within the European and Asian Markets. Tasmanian Tiger is a division of TATONKA GmbH.

“We will be officially introducing Tasmanian Tiger to the US Market during the 2019 SHOT Show,” said Richard Lewis, President & CEO of Proforce Equipment, Inc. “The brand has enjoyed a long, successful history around the world and we are excited to be bringing it to our American customers, specifically designed and manufactured in Tatonka facilities to meet the American requirements.”

“Tasmanian Tiger products have been extensively tested and used in practical and extreme combat situations around the globe, thus bringing to our US customers a deep knowledge of design and execution of nylon gear,” Laura Burgess, president of LBM, added. “We are thrilled to be part of the team to bring this new line to the US and help grow the brand.”

Tasmanian Tiger will have its official launch at the 2019 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, Jan. 22 – 25, 2019 at Booth #20663 on Level 2. The new website www.tasmaniantigerusa.com and social platforms will also launch during January. All sales inquiries can be directed to tt@tasmaniantigerusa.com and all media inquiries can be directed to laura@lauraburgess.com.

Century Arms Files Lawsuit In Arizona Against Xtech Tactical

Thursday, October 25th, 2018

DELRAY BEACH, Florida – (OCTOBER 25, 2018) – Century Arms, North America’s premier AK manufacturer, filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona against XTech Tactical, LLC (“XTECH”) and Jeremy Deadman alleging violations of Century’s trade dress rights under the Lanham Act and Arizona law concerning XTECH’s sale of  AK-47 magazines and grips.  Previously, Century filed a similar action in  the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, which it voluntarily dismissed prior to service of process.  XTECH is an Arizona based company and Jeremy Deadman is an Arizona resident who is XTECH’s Director of Sales and Marketing.

Industry Veteran Sam White Joins the Armor Express and KDH Defense Systems Board of Directors

Thursday, October 25th, 2018

CENTRAL LAKE, MI and EDEN, NC — October 25, 2018 — Armor Express and KDH Defense Systems (“KDH”), two leading manufacturers of high-performance protective solutions for the U.S. Armed Forces, Federal Government and Law Enforcement communities, are pleased to announce the latest addition to their Board of Directors with the appointment of industry-veteran, Sam White.

Matt Davis, Chairman of the Board of Praesidium, the holding company that owns both Armor Express and KDH stated, “Sam is a proven commodity in our industry and we are all excited to have him join our Board. The insight and experience he has gained over the past 20 years will be a tremendous benefit to our Company and all of our technology partners across the world. His understanding of ballistic science, both hard and soft armor technologies, and strong relationships within the supply chain will be leveraged for one common goal: improving our ability to advance science to save lives.”

Mr. White will continue to serve as Vice President, Applied Science with FirstSpear®, a leading manufacturer of advanced load bearing equipment and armor platforms built for the warfighter and law enforcement professional. Prior to FirstSpear, he served as Senior Executive Vice President of Point Blank Enterprises, Inc., responsible for all facets of Research & Development (“R&D”), Design & Engineering and Business Development, with a focus on advancing supply chain and customer relationships. He also held various leadership positions with Point Blank Enterprises, including President of Point Blank Body Armor and Head of Global Sales. Earlier in his career, Mr. White held various leadership and R&D positions with Armor Holdings and Allied Signal.

“I am honored to become part of the Armor Express and KDH Defense Systems family and look forward to advancing their business in any way that I can,” stated Mr. White. “I have worked with many of their executives throughout my career, and we share the same passion for developing mission-critical, life-saving technologies. I hope to leverage my relationships and experience to support the Board’s vision, while continuing to build FirstSpear’s presence worldwide.”

HTC Open House – November 9th

Wednesday, October 24th, 2018

Martinson Files Suit Against North American Rescue for Patent Infringement

Sunday, October 21st, 2018

A lawsuit has been filed by in Delaware District Court Martinson, LLC vs. North American Rescue Holdings LLC and North American Rescue, LLC. alleging patent infringement. Case number 1:2018cv01358* was filed in Delaware District Court on August 31, 2018, with a jury requested by Martinson LLC (the plaintiff).

The lawsuit alleges that North American Rescue’s AGENT Ballistic Vest is a “stitch for stitch” copy of the Martinson ELSA (Emergency Life Saving Armor). Martinson holds two patents for the ELSA, to wit,

“As a result of Martinson’s efforts to protect its intellectual property in the ELSA product, Martinson is the owner of U.S. Patent Nos. 9,737,100 (“the ’100 Patent” [issued August 22, 2017]) and 9,861,145 (“the ’145 Patent” [issued January 9, 2018]), each entitled “Concealable Body Armor and Combination Bag/Vest.”

SSD had initially written about the ELSA during SHOT Show 2014.

The lawsuit reads thusly:

“Upon information and belief, NAR markets and sells a combination bag/vest called the AGENT Ballistic Vest in the United States.

Upon information and belief, the AGENT Ballistic Vest is a stitch-for-stitch copy of both the ’100 Patent and the ’145 Patent.”

The Martinson ELSA can be found online, but the “AGENT RTF Kit, formerly known as ELSA RTF Kit” now returns a 404 response on the NAR website despite being their immediately after the suit was filed.

NAR site on August 31, 2018.

NAR site on 20 October, 2018.

Items matching that description can be seen on retailer sites, however (see Bound Tree and Off Grid Warehouse).

The line of NAR vests as they are currently named and presented can be found here.

The most recent annotation in PACER reads,

SO ORDERED, re 8 STIPULATION TO EXTEND TIME in which defendants North American Rescue, LLC and North American Rescue Holdings, LLC have to answer the Complaint to November 8, 2018 filed by Martinson Industries, LLC, Set/Reset Answer Deadlines: North American Rescue Holdings, LLC answer due 11/8/2018; North American Rescue, LLC answer due 11/8/2018. Signed by Judge Colm F. Connolly on 10/4/2018. (fms) (Entered: 10/04/2018)

SSD reached out to NAR for comment but they politely declined, citing pending litigation. However, considering the same product was found on several sites, it is possible that a third-party vendor is the root cause of the issue.

*1:18-cv-01358-CFC Martinson Industries, LLC v. North American Rescue, LLC et al Colm F. Connolly, presiding

Breach Bang Clear contributed to this report.

Wounded Warrior Owned Valor Cycles to Bring Manufacturing and Tour Victory, Back to the US

Sunday, October 21st, 2018

San Antonio based Wounded Warrior, Adam Mattis, is bringing bicycle manufacturing back to the U.S., and aims to reclaim Tour de France glory for the USA.

Adam Mattis - Valor Cycles

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, October 17, 2018 –Strategy Consultant, and Wounded Warrior, Adam Mattis, has big goals. How big? Mattis not only intends to manufacture carbon fiber race bicycles in Texas, but he intends to put an American athlete on the podium of Tour de France in 2029, riding one of his bikes.

“We have so many amazing athletes, skilled people, and technological expertise in the US”, says Mattis, “it is borderline lazy to build anywhere else.”

Beyond the great people and knowledge, South Texas also has technological know-how: “..3D printing, small-batch manufacturing, direct-to-consumer customization: the customer has never seen anything like what we’re planning.”

Valor Cycles intends to apply the same skills and principles that Mattis has applied successfully within Fortune 100 companies and startups to the cycling company. In addition to his own knowledge, Mattis has enlisted an all-star cast of advisors to include Ben Verner of Marolina Outdoor, Nick Rowley of Idea Distribution, marketing guru Stef Peterson, innovation phenom Justin Klahn, design visionary Seth Archer, contracting expert Amy Hicks, and others to help keep Valor on track.

“It is all about fast, integrated learning cycles. We won’t get suckered into one design for years on end. We are reinventing the process around carbon manufacturing, we will build amazing product for our customers, and we will care for them like no other.”

Mattis and his team are first focused on reinvigorating America’s passion for road cycling, but they won’t stop there.

“The sky is the limit” says Mattis “I have learned hard lessons through my work as a consultant, and I will apply each one to Valor Cycles. We’re coming after the Tour de France. We are coming after the big, well-known brands, and after we win there, we are coming after full-suspension.”

After the exodus of cycle manufacturing to Asia, it will take impassioned innovators like Mattis and the Valor Cycles team to bring excitement, authenticity, and a competitive American edge back to cycling.

“Yea, it’s going to be hard, but that’s why we’re doing it. Those hard-fought victories are the sweetest of all.” To learn more please visit www.ValorCycles.com.
For investment inquiries, please email: info@valorcycles.com.

Revision Purchases Power Tech Company, Protonex

Thursday, October 18th, 2018

Essex Junction, Vermont (October 18, 2018) – Revision—a world leader in both soldier-worn and platform power solutions— has acquired Protonex Technology Corporation, a subsidiary of Ballard Power Systems. Protonex has deployed thousands of portable power solutions globally, and their products align well with Revision’s Nerv Centr® soldier power solutions.

The Revision® Nerv Centr® Power Management Systems are forward-thinking solutions for a wired battlefront, reducing weight burden and eliminating battery life uncertainty. At right is Nerv CentrSharePack™, an advanced lightweight, conformal lithium-ion power pack that integrates power provision and management into one unit. At left is the Nerv CentrSoloPack™, a rugged, high power density lithium-ionbattery offering high power density and state-of-charge display.

“In Protonex, Revision is acquiring an established player in the soldier power management solutions area. Their specialized product focus—particularly their power managers—perfectly complements Revision’s soldier power portfolio,” said Revision CEO Jonathan Blanshay. “With Protonex we are not simply acquiring their advanced technology, but also their talented workforce and engineering expertise. We will now be in an even better position to realize our vision of integrated power and data solutions to enhance warfighter survivability and lethality. Revision is a growth company that seeks complementary diversification; we’ve demonstrated this with expansion across every dimension of our business, but also through proactive acquisitions—including our purchase of MSA’s helmet business in 2012 and Panacis power systems in 2014. This is not just an opportunity to grow Revision’s power management capabilities; it’s also an ideal moment to invigorate Protonex’s established product lines.”

The Protonex® SPM-622 Squad Power Manager is a tough and compact device which weighs less than a pound and enables military units to optimize power for multiple electronic devices.  

In its history, Protonex has innovated in fuel cell design, invented the modern Intelligent Power Manager, and grown to become a leading provider of advanced power solutions for portable, remote, and mobile applications. Protonex’s commitment to providing solutions that overcome energy gaps for military, scientific, and commercial communities will continue.

For the immediate future, Protonex will operate under the Revision name as a stand-alone entity in Southborough, MA, under the continuing stewardship of David Long, General Manager. Current customer contracts and orders will be fulfilled as planned and Revision will take care to minimize disruption for customers and suppliers. Simultaneously, Revision will pursue business opportunities that leverage Protonex technology and know-how to provide increased capabilities and effectiveness to global warfighters.