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Archive for the ‘Industry’ Category

Leupold & Stevens, Inc., Announces Marketing Department Promotions

Wednesday, July 2nd, 2014

Consumer Product Services Team also Created to Serve Existing and Future Customers

BEAVERTON, Ore. — Leupold & Stevens, Inc. is pleased to announce several staff promotions within their Global Marketing department.

“These changes acknowledge the significant accomplishments of some key individuals on our marketing team. We are incredibly fortunate to have so many world-class marketing and brand experts in-house at Leupold & Stevens” said Rob Morrison, Vice President of Global Marketing.

Mike

Mike Slack has been promoted to the position of Brand Creative Director. Slack has played key roles in the leadership of marketing, communications and advertising throughout his 33 years of service at Leupold & Stevens. In his new role, he will be focused on leading all creative development, fostering key strategic industry partnerships and management of the overall brand experience at our US manufacturing facility in Beaverton, Oregon.

Pat

Pat Mundy has been promoted to the position of Director of Brand Communications. Mundy has been with Leupold & Stevens more than 10 years and has played a key leadership role in brand management, merchandising, marketing, communications and public relations. His new role will be focused on providing leadership in the areas of advertising, digital/web communications, show sponsorships, celebrity endorsements, media and industry relations, merchandising and marketing services.

Shane Meisel and Steve Krajczynski have been named Managers within the Marketing department with Meisel leading Trade Marketing programs and Krajczynski leading Consumer Marketing programs. Both were previously in Brand Management roles at the company and will report to Pat Mundy as part of the Brand Communications team. Prior to joining Leupold & Stevens in 2011, Meisel worked in various product and brand management positions at JELD-WEN Windows and Doors and The Stanley Works. Krajczynski joined the company in 2014 after spending nine years working for the Craft Brew Alliance marketing leading beer brands including Widmer Brothers and Kona Brewing.

Tim

Finally, a new team, Consumer Product Services, is being added to the Marketing department and will focus on the consumer-facing aspects of the business. The areas that will be consolidated within the new Consumer Product Services team are Technical Services, Product Services, the Leupold Custom Shop and Product Training. The Consumer Services group will be led by Tim O’Connor as Manager of Consumer Services. O’Connor has worked at Leupold & Stevens for almost 15 years and is considered an expert in optical products and solutions.

Slack, Mundy and O’Connor will all report to Morrison and make up the Global Marketing Leadership Team.

“Under Rob’s leadership, with support from Mike, Pat, Tim and their teams, we are positioning ourselves for aggressive future growth” said Bruce Pettet, President and CEO of Leupold & Stevens. “Their unique talents will allow us to build on our already strong bonds with consumers and craft programs that will drive our brand for years to come.”

www.leupold.com

Daniel Defense Sues Remington/DPMS For Trademark Infringement

Monday, June 30th, 2014

Georgia-based Daniel Defense has filed suit in US District Court against Remington Outdoor Company and DPMS for alleged trademark infringement and deceptive trade practices. DD seeks unspecified damages and recovery of legal costs as well as an injunction preventing Remington or DPMS from using the marks in the future and to destroy all materials bearing them.

Daniel Defense claims trademark of the term “Lighter. Stronger. Better.” which it has used since 1996. It has also trademarked the “>>” chevron, a V-shaped pattern in use since 2012.

DD Xray

Remington’s subsidiary DPMS has been using the term “Lighter, Stronger and even more badass” and “Lighter, Stronger and every bit as accurate as the original” which DD alleges confuses consumers due to the similarity of products.

DPMS GII AP4

(DPMS Advertising Brochure)

Garin Lee Promoted to Suppressor Sales and Marketing Manager at SureFire

Thursday, June 26th, 2014

SureFire has just announced that Suppressor Marketing Manager Garin Lee has been promoted to also encompass the sales aspect of the division. Garin’s new position is a well deserved, Suppressor Sales and Marketing Manager.

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Garin is an avid outdoorsman and shooter with many years of experience is both sales and marketing including previous experience if over a decade as the Outdoor Accounts Manager at Oakley.

Congratulations!

John Clements Joins PROOF Research

Wednesday, June 25th, 2014

As PROOF Research Director of Research/Development and Testing, Clements will support corporate mission to develop and provide highest quality carbon fiber barrels and weapons systems to military and civilian customers.

John Clements

COLUMBIA FALLS, MT (June 2014) – PROOF Research announced today that John Clements has joined the company as Director of Research/Development and Testing. John’s experience includes 31 years of government service, with the last 16 spent as the Weapons Program Manager at Naval Special Warfare Development Group, where he was responsible for weapon systems R&D supporting combat development, weapons maintenance, ammunition testing and application development.

John’s work with SOCOM weapons development and testing has included a vast array of contributions that have enhanced nonstandard and precision long-range weapons systems for various special operations requirements.

“We are pleased to welcome John as the newest member of our team,” said PROOF Research CEO, Larry Murphy. “John’s vast experience supporting the special operations community is an incredible asset to further advance our core mission to provide the highest quality carbon fiber barrels and weapon system components to both the U.S Military and our consumer market customers.”

John has also held a senior engineering technician position at NSWC Crane, a shore command of the U.S. Navy, where he was responsible for multiple weapon and testing design efforts directly supporting Naval Special Warfare tactical and long-range precision weapons programs.

www.proofresearch.com

Ops-Core Visit – A Trip Down Memory Lane

Tuesday, June 24th, 2014

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Yesterday, I had an opportunity to visit Ops-Core’s new factory in Boston for a personal tour by founder David Rogers. I saw a whole slew of cool things but first, I thought you’d enjoy a glimpse at some of the items in their library.

The shelves in the lobby contain a variety of head protection items from a variety of sources, but the developmental Artisent and Ops- Core artifacts in particular, are awesome. In addition to a couple of OFW/FFW models there are also technology demonstrators with early versions of features that are now standard in Ops-Core helmets.

Look for additional coverage later this week.

www.Ops-Core.com

Kevlar Inventor Stephanie L Kwolek Passes Away

Sunday, June 22nd, 2014

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We all have much to owe Stephanie L Kwolek, who invented the basic Kevlar compound while working for DuPont in 1964. Amazingly, she was attempting to develop a material to replace steel radial belts in tires when a polymer she was working didn’t quite come out right. On a hunch, she had it spun into fiber that turned out to be five times as strong as steel as well fire resistant. Further development resulted in the Kevlar family of aramids we know today, although it took a decade for the material to be introduced into soft body armor. Eventually, Ms Kwolek was honored with a National Medal of Technology in 1996 for her work that has resulted in countless lives saved.

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DuPont continues to develop the material discovered by Ms Kwolek. Just last week, they announced that the millionth vest made from Kevlar XP had been manufactured and they recently launched DuPont Kevlar AS450X, specifically engineered for greater comfort to the body armour wearer while protecting against multiple threats including bullets, knives, spikes, bullets and blunt objects as well as DuPont Kevlar XP S104, a water repellent fabric that offers enhanced bullet stopping power and reduced back face deformation, even in hot and humid climates and wet conditions.

Born on July 31, 1923, in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, Stephanie L Kwolek passed away in Wilmington, Delaware, on 18 June, 2014 at the age of 90.

Thank you for your hard work. Rest In Peace.

Vertx Signs Former Army SGT. And UFC Welterwight Fighter, Neil Magny, To Pro Staff Team

Tuesday, June 17th, 2014

Cincinnati, OH 17 JUNE-2014 – Vertx® Apparel is proud to announce the newest UFC Welterweight fighter, former competitor of The Ultimate Fighter: Team Carwin vs. Team Nelson, and former Army Sgt., Neil Magny, to the Vertx Pro Staff team.

Ginger Rohlfs, Director of Marketing for Vertx® noted, “Neil is an all-around competitor both in and out of the ring. As a former Army Sergeant, Neil’s background and experience align perfectly with the Vertx® brand. We are excited to have Neil as a member of our Pro Staff and look forward to celebrating his successes.”

With a high school wrestling background, Magny decided to join the US Army immediately after graduation in 2006. While serving two tours as a part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Magny learned kickboxing and jiu jitsu from the California Guardsmen and his passion for fighting took hold. Upon returning home to the States in 2010, Neil joined the Illinois Combatives Team, Illinois National Guard and decided to pursue a career in professional MMA.

Two years later and after six consecutive wins defeating MMA competitors, Magny tried out for Season 15 of The Ultimate Fighter: Team Carwin vs. Team Nelson, landing himself a spot on Shane Carwin’s team. After the show ended, Magny was rewarded a UFC contract in 2013. Since his debut in the UFC, he has become well known for his relentless work ethic, reach advantage and his Army combative skills.

“Being able to partner with a tactical brand is something I would have never imagined. I was happy that a company like Vertx® is even around to provide such quality products. Before Vertx®, I was never able to find gear that I was truly 100% satisfied to fit my lifestyle….with its functionality, now I can,” said Magny. “To be selected as a brand ambassador for the company is amazing and a true honor. The product is great for former military, like myself, and an everyday Joe who appreciates tactical gear.”

On top of fighting professionally, Mangy is working on receiving his Masters Degree, volunteering time to teach children jiu jitsu and supporting the Wounded Warrior Project. Be sure to check out Neil Magny take on Rodrigo Goiana de Lima on June 28, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 43 in Auckland, New Zealand.

www.wearvertx.com

As A Reminder – Tactical Tailor Factory Tour And Manufacturer Show

Monday, June 16th, 2014

As a reminder, Tactical Tailor is holding their second Factory Tour and Manufacturer Show for 2014 this Wednesday, June 18th. The event is being held at the Tactical Tailor factory in Lakewood, Washington. The original post is below.

June 2014 tour

Tactical Tailor is hosting an upcoming Tactical Tailor Factory Tour and Manufacturer Show. The event is being held June 18th, 2014 from 1200-1600 at the Tactical Tailor factory in Lakewood, Washington. Open to CAC card holders and LEO with credentials only.

For more information on the event, contact Nate Smith at nate@tacticaltailor.com.

www.tacticaltailor.com