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TSSi Awarded New Interconnection Equipment Contract (IEC)

Thursday, January 9th, 2020

Harrisonburg, Virginia, January 8, 2020 – TSSi announces the award of the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Interconnection Equipment contract (IEC), a (10) year Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Multiple Award Contract (MAC), as the newest addition to the suite of contracting vehicles available to their customers. This $808 million contract aims to move the Government from decentralized procurement through a multitude of contract vehicles to a more holistic, all-encompassing long-term contract designed to support the constantly evolving requirements for interconnection products.

This intended purpose of the IEC is three-fold:

• Rapid Acquisition Capability

• Advance Planning

• Cooperation/Collaboration

Products included under the IEC are classified as any product and incidental service required by the DoD, or Federal Government at large, to connect weapons systems, computer systems and networks, global and tactical networks, radio networks, and more. Examples include, but are not limited to, cables, wiring, connectors, radios, and installation kits. TSSi anticipates its status as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business and their valuable supplier partner relationships to create a winning combination for contract customers.

TSSi is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business that has been providing specialized operational equipment and logistics support around the world since 1980. Our mission is to provide mission-focused, time-sensitive, value-added equipment and logistics services solutions, delivered with uncompromising integrity – anytime, anywhere

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Ocean State Innovations Acquires ColorWorks

Tuesday, January 7th, 2020

PORTSMOUTH, R.I. –- Ocean State Innovations, (a Brand & Oppenheimer Company), a leading textile solutions provider, announced its acquisition of ColorWorks. Founded in 1996, ColorWorks is a premier textile dyer and finisher located in Elizabethton, Tennessee.

The ColorWorks team will continue to service a broad array of customers with their commission textile dyeing and finishing needs.

The resources of Ocean State Innovations will add a unique capability to source a wider array of textile products and to provide a technical knowledge that will help to better serve customers’ needs. Under the direction of Edward Ricci (CEO), Ocean State has built an impressive organization of talented people and innovative products.

“We look forward to continuing our commitment to the ongoing operations at ColorWorks and the future innovation that the commission dyeing and finishing segment adds to Ocean State,” said Edward Ricci, Ocean State Innovations CEO.

Sam Buchanan, President of ColorWorks said; “We are extremely excited to join the Ocean State Innovations team. OSI’s expertise will open markets and help lead ColorWorks into the future.”

Ocean State Innovation’s continued strategic growth has received enthusiastic support from Praesidian Capital, which initially invested both first lien debt and equity in B&O / Ocean State.

“We are very pleased with Ocean State’s growth trajectory and with management’s continued commitment to innovation, customer service, and high-quality textile products,” said Jason Drattell, the founding partner of Praesidian. “We anticipate continued growth and success as management executes on their strategic vision.”

For more information, please visit www.osinnovate.com

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MMI Textiles Names Jeff Papalia Vice President

Monday, January 6th, 2020

WESTLAKE, OH – [01/06/2020] – MMI Textiles Inc., a global diversified supplier of industrial and custom fabrics and textile components with military and tactical, medical, commercial and apparel expertise, has named Jeff Papalia, Vice President for MMI Textiles. Jeff will be strategically located in North Carolina and will start with MMI on January 13, 2020.

Papalia was selected for this new position to help MMI Textiles excel operationally as the company continues its significant growth. Papalia will report directly to president Amy Bircher, and the company’s directors – Nick Rivera, Director of Operations, Shawn McCollum, Director of Sales, and Debbie Grant, Director of Marketing and Business Services – will report to Papalia.

His 30-year tenure in the apparel cut and sew textile industry includes overseeing military and government contracts produced by 30 National Industries for the Blind affiliated not-for-profit-agencies, as well as directing quality and sourcing for the Jones New York/Jones Apparel Group and served as Vice-President of Manufacturing for Jo-Ann Apparel. Papalia currently serves as the IFAI Military Board Vice Chair and served as a SEAMS Association Board of Director member from 2011-2018.

“Jeff’s exceptional experience and knowledge in the cut and sew textile industry, including the manufacturing and general management of retail and military apparel and gear makes him ideally suited to help us foster the mission we have to be the most solution-oriented textile supplier to our diverse customer base,” said Amy Bircher, President and Founder of MMI Textiles.

“At MMI we take very seriously the core values and culture we have built over the past two decades; Jeff emulates all the traits and characteristics we look for in any new hire, assuring us that he is the right choice for this position,” said Bircher. “We look forward to his energy, his mindset and his leadership on the MMI team to achieve our immediate and long-term goals.”

“I am excited and inspired by MMI Textiles’ strong reputation as a premier supplier to the textile marketplace with a wide range of products for an equally wide range of industries and applications,” said Papalia. “And I am truly eager to be tasked with further growing the company’s capabilities, reputation and impact in the marketplace.”

Papalia most recently served with National Industries for the Blind (NIB). He joined NIB in 2006 as Senior Textile Engineer and was promoted in 2017 to Program Manager, Textiles. Previously, Papalia served as Director of Quality and Sourcing for the Jones New York/Jones Apparel Group Western Hemisphere locations. Papalia is Certified in Six Sigma Yellow Belt, Leading The Way Management Training, TruCost Engineering and Basics to Federal Contracting. Jeff holds his Bachelor of Science Degree in Apparel Management from the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science.

mmitextiles.com

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AirBoss Defense Group Launched to Support Defense and First Responder Markets

Monday, January 6th, 2020

AirBoss Defense and Critical Solutions International Complete Merger to Create Focused Survivability Solutions Company

LANDOVER, MD (January 6, 2020) – Effective January 1, 2020, AirBoss Defense and Critical Solutions International (CSI) have completed a merger to form a new corporate entity known as AirBoss Defense Group (ADG). This new business has been formed through the spin-off and merger of AirBoss of America Corp.’s AirBoss Defense business and Quebec Rubber Solutions operations with Critical Solutions International, Inc. (“CSI”). CSI is a privately-owned U.S. portfolio company of Sentinel Capital Partners (“Sentinel”).

With the close of this transaction, ADG is now the global leader in survivability for the assured mobility and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) communities. The new company will sustain and grow the overall business of ADG while maintaining the well-defined identities of AirBoss Defense and CSI. ADG is very well positioned for growth with existing customers as well as within prospective new markets.

The founding of ADG creates a new, dedicated survivability solutions company that is strongly positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities arising from the current geopolitical environment. By combining the historical engineering and manufacturing capability of AirBoss Defense with CSI’s proven expertise in global marketing and distribution, ADG is now able to support the global defense and first-responder markets with a powerful combination of excellence in product development, precision manufacturing, thoughtful business development, and focused customer support.

Patrick Callahan will serve as Chief Executive Officer of AirBoss Defense Group. Previously, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Critical Solutions International. Heather Miller, CSI’s Chief Strategy Officer, will continue in this capacity for AirBoss Defense Group. Chris Bitsakakis, the President and COO of AirBoss, will also be the COO of AirBoss Defense Group. ADG will be headquartered in Landover, Maryland. Manufacturing assets will remain in Acton Vale, Quebec and CSI will continue to operate in Charleston, South Carolina. In the coming weeks, the company will finalize a refreshed organizational chart that ensures a balanced transition and efficient future operations.

Patrick Callahan, CEO of AirBoss Defense Group said, “The close of this transaction creates an integrated, dedicated defense player that is well positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities arising from the current geopolitical environment. By combining AirBoss Defense’s strength in manufacturing and engineering design with CSI’s decades of expertise in global marketing and distribution of defense products, we have formed a powerful corporate entity that is well positioned to support our customers throughout the world.”

As a new company, ADG provides a robust platform to expand existing manufacturing capabilities and to diversify an already innovative product portfolio. ADG is committed to retaining and creating new manufacturing and management jobs and is actively seeking talented individuals to join the company.

For more information, please visit www.adg.com.

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Coming Soon – Mission Specific Solutions, LLC & Mission Profile Gear

Saturday, January 4th, 2020

Mission Specific Solutions, LLC just received their Certification as a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small business from the VA & SBA.

They are also launching a Commercial Outdoor & Overland product line, Mission Profile Gear in Q2.

www.ms2-group.com

Posted in Industry, Veterans | 1 Comment »

Blaser USA Transitions to Blaser Group

Thursday, January 2nd, 2020

San Antonio, Texas (January 2, 2020) – Blaser USA, the official U.S. importer for Blaser, Mauser, Sauer, Rigby and Minox, is now operating under the new name of Blaser Group. The name change is a key component in the global branding strategy of the portfolio of companies in the L&O Hunting Group.

“The transition from Blaser USA to Blaser Group reflects a significant milestone in establishing consistent branding around the world. In all key markets, Blaser Group will represent our fine German and English brands” said Jason Evans, CEO of Blaser Group (USA division). “All U.S. consumer brand strategies and business operations will remain unchanged.”

Blaser Group recently added the new Blaser R8 Ultimate and Ultimate Leather to its renowned line of bolt-action rifles. The R8 features a straight-pull action and is among the world’s fastest and most modular hunting rifles.

London gunmaker John Rigby & Company has released a new limited edition ‘W.D.M. Bell’ model of their Highland Stalker rifle, paying homage to adventurer Karamojo Bell. The African big game hunter is celebrated worldwide as an advocate for accurate shot placement using smaller caliber rifles, a technique he perfected by the dissection and study of the skulls of elephants he shot, namely with his .275 Rigby. This limited run of only 50 rifles is the first in Rigby’s new Heritage series and will be offered in .275 Rigby, like Bell’s original rifle.

www.blaser-group.com

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Federal Ammunition Launches “It’s Federal Season” Podcast

Sunday, December 29th, 2019

ANOKA, Minnesota – December 18, 2019 – Federal Ammunition is excited to announce the launching of “It’s Federal Season,” a podcast dedicated to everything ammunition. Federal is coming up on 100 years and there is a ton of information to share that is both entertaining and informational. The first episode will drop on December 19, 2019 and can be downloaded from federalpremium.com/podcast.

“This is an exciting launch and a new marketing tool for our leading ammunition brand,” says Jason Vanderbrink, President of Federal. “Our goal is to entertain, inform, and give insight into our new and existing products that you use in your practice, your hunts, and in your self-defense every day.”

Listeners can expect to learn about new products and promotions but also hear from our many partners in the hunting and shooting industry including conservation leaders, celebrities, competitive shooters, and prominent newsmakers. These conversations are going to be engaging and informative. The podcast will feature a TECH TALK segment where Federal’s engineers or product managers will go in-depth on design and performance of our category leading products and the key differentiators that separate us from the competition.

The initial podcast schedule will be dropping new content each month with the primary host being Jason Vanderbrink, President of Federal. The flexibility of the medium allows Federal to increase frequency when seasons heat up. Look for more information at www.federalpremium.com or where you find your favorite podcasts.

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DOJ Charges SEG Armor With Wirefraud In Armor Sales To Federal Agencies

Tuesday, December 24th, 2019

Last Friday, the US Department of Justice announced it had filed a federal criminal complaint in Maryland charging Arthur Morgan, age 67, of Lorton, Virginia, on a federal wire fraud charge, in connection with federal contracts to provide helmets, body armor, and other goods to military and other federal entities. The criminal complaint was filed on December 16, 2019 and was unsealed at his initial appearance following his arrest on December 17, 2019. He is the CEO of SEG Armor, who was also named in the charges. If convicted, Morgan faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for wire fraud.

The criminal complaint alleges that Morgan falsely certified that the ballistic vests, helmets, riot gear, and other items he offered for sale were from TAA compliant Hong Kong and the United States. The affidavit alleges that Morgan knew that the items were manufactured and purchased from China. From September 2015 to July 2019, the U.S. Navy and U.S. Department of State were two of at least five federal agencies that placed a total of nine orders with SEG for ballistic vests, helmets, or riot gear, valued at approximately $639,921.11.

Of note to SSD readers, he informed the US Navy that he was manufacturing armor and helmets at a factory here in Virginia. A Navy Acquisition professional at Indian Head ordered helmets from SEG. Naturally, the price was great and they looked just like actual Made in USA helmets. But instead, these counterfeits were made in China. Save a buck and put your troops at risk. Buy the genuine article.

A detention hearing was held last Thursday U.S. District Court in Greenbelt. U.S. Magistrate Judge Gina L. Simms ordered that Morgan be released to a third-party custodian on home confinement, with a special condition that he pay a $75,000 bond. He will be detained until a hearing at 3:30 p.m. today to confirm that Morgan has met his conditions of release.

Posted in Industry | 8 Comments »