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Gentex Corporation – California Facility Receives Silver Boeing Performance Excellence Award

Tuesday, August 13th, 2013

Carbondale, Pennsylvania, August 13, 2013 – Gentex Corporation, a leading global provider of personal protection and situational awareness products and systems for defense and security personnel announced today that it has received a 2012 Boeing Performance Excellence Award. The Boeing Company issues the award annually to recognize suppliers who have achieved superior performance. Gentex’s California facility maintained a Silver composite performance rating for each month of the 12-month performance period, from Oct. 1, 2011, to Sept. 30, 2012.

This year, Boeing recognized 594 suppliers who achieved either a Gold or Silver level Boeing Performance Excellence Award. Gentex is one of only 441 suppliers to receive the Silver level of recognition.

“We’re proud to be recognized by Boeing as a valued supplier,” said L.P. Frieder III, president of Gentex Corporation. “Our commitment to quality and on-time delivery performance is reflected in recent achievements such as the Boeing Performance Excellence Award and our company’s continued growth.”

As part of their comprehensive portfolio of personal protection and situational awareness solutions, Gentex currently supplies vest valve assemblies to Boeing for the F-22 Vest Valve Improvement program and a number of aircrew life support items.

Gentex has been a supplier to The Boeing Company for over 23 years.

For more information on the Boeing Performance Excellence Award, visit www.boeingsuppliers.com/recognition/

www.gentexcorp.com.

Tags: Boeing, Gentex
Posted in Industry | Comments Off on Gentex Corporation – California Facility Receives Silver Boeing Performance Excellence Award

Quantico Tactical Hires Dan Gaddis As Vice President Of Marketing And Merchandising

Tuesday, August 13th, 2013

ABERDEEN, NC (August 2013) –Quantico Tactical, a leader in sourcing and supplying performance-proven apparel, equipment and firearms to law enforcement, government agencies, military and private citizens, announces the new position of Vice President of Marketing and Merchandising to be held by Dan Gaddis, a highly skilled marketing and merchandising executive.

Gaddis will spearhead the new Marketing and Merchandising division of Quantico Tactical, providing expertise in direct marketing, branding, product development, product management, vendor relations and retail strategies. Gaddis has held executive positions where he successfully led teams to complete company initiatives, increased sales and cut excess waste. He has demonstrated leadership and resourcefulness and has earned a solid reputation in the Military, Law Enforcement, Outdoor and Automotive Aftermarket industries. Gaddis has held various executive positions; including Vice President of Merchandising at U.S. Cavalry and Director of Merchandising at the Eastwood Company. Gaddis served as a Combat Arms Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve and has served as a Police Reserve Officer, Volunteer Fire Police Captain and is currently a Volunteer Fire Fighter for the Puppy Creek Fire Department in Raeford, NC.

“Dan brings so much to the table for Quantico Tactical. Not only is his reputation sterling , but the skills he brings for merchandising, vendor relations, catalog, direct marketing, product development and brand management will greatly enhance our current and future strategies.” David Hensley, CEO of Quantico Tactical added. “Dan is also an avid firearms enthusiast with a personal working knowledge of our military, police and fire markets. He brings not only his incredible skill set to Quantico Tactical but an understanding and respect for our industry and customers.”

“I am looking forward to working closely with David in maximizing his company’s growth potential in an industry that I am familiar with and fully support,” Dan Gaddis, Quantico Tactical’s new Vice President of Marketing and Merchandising. “Quantico Tactical has always taken pride in the brands they represent and the clients they serve. Our goal now is to drive that commitment and expand upon it.”

quanticotactical.com/

Tags: Quantico Tactical
Posted in Industry | 2 Comments »

Contour Apparently Closes Doors

Tuesday, August 13th, 2013

Brier Dudley’s Blog at the Seattle Times website reported last week that camera maker Contour has closed its doors.

Geekwire added, “As of Friday Contour is CLOSED,” wrote Jacob Hase, the company’s former social media manager, in a public post on his personal Facebook page this week. ”Ya, it shocked all the employees even more. Incredibly hard to just walk away from something you put so much energy into.”

Attempts to purchase products are met with “temporarily out of stock” notices.

Guess I won’t be getting that sample of the latest model to try out after all. I gave the first one they sent to me to a tactical trainer. Hopefully, we’ll see some good footage from him in the future. This closure is unfortunate for the shooting sports and training community as the Contour’s shape is well suited to use mounted coaxially to firearms and helmets.

Tags: Contour
Posted in Industry | 14 Comments »

McMillan Merchant Solutions Update

Friday, August 9th, 2013

This is so significant, I’ve posted it under Disruptive Tech. We’ve been mentioning McMillan’s move to create a merchant solutions firm after their run in with Bank of America. It’s now one step closer to reality with the launch of their website and a Facebook page.

The site remains under construction www.mmsllc.com but follow www.facebook.com/mmsllc2A to stay abreast of their latest updates.

They also posted this:

Firearms Industry Merchants – Your Current Credit Card Processing is at Risk.
August 8, 2013 at 8:37pm
Some might say the title of this Post/Note is premature and alarmist in nature. We don’t think so and here’s proof. Can you buy/sell online? Click on the link after each choice below:

eBay – http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/firearms-weapons-knives.html
Craigslist – http://www.craigslist.org/about/prohibited.items
PayPal – https://www.paypal.com/webapps/helpcenter/article/?solutionId=38957
Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200277700

Do all Merchant Gateways accept transactions from within the Firearms industry…or should I say YOUR BUSINESS?

Square – https://squareup.com/help/en-us/article/5089-prohibited-goods-and-services
Authorize.net – http://www.authorize.net/company/terms/

So what do we do about it?

In April of 2012, Bank of America asked Kelly McMillan to find another bank simply because he manufactured firearms. Conversations with Firearms Industry partners and customers show this is a growing problem. The Firearms industry is under enormous pressure, with many financial vendors covertly AND OVERTLY discriminating against Firearms manufacturers and retailers. Companies are being deprived of the ability to process debit and credit card transactions, often with no notice, simply because they sell firearms, ammunition, or related products and services.

To combat this trend, Kelly McMillan formed McMillan Merchant Solutions (MMS) and our mission is to help strengthen the firearms industry while supporting those organizations that are fighting for our 2nd Amendment rights. We can now provide financial stability for those who accept credit cards as payment and also provide short-term loans to qualified customers.

Let’s be proactive before we have to be reactive! Please help support our collective cause by Like’ing this Page. For more information on our services, and how you can SAVE money while SUPPORTING our Industry, email me at zev@mmsllc.com or call me at our toll free number 855-431-4979.

Tags: McMillan Merchant Solutions
Posted in 2A, Disruptive Tech, Industry | 6 Comments »

Kryptek Announces Jim Erwin As Newest Pro Staff Member

Tuesday, August 6th, 2013

Jim “The Kraken” Erwin is the latest member of Kryptek’s Pro Staff. Man, I knew Jim before he was “The Kraken”.

Jim spent 12 years in the US Army including service with 1st SFOD-D and has an extensive background in industry where he is well known. Congrats Jim and Kryptek!

Tags: Kryptek
Posted in Camo, Industry | 3 Comments »

Katylist Launches

Tuesday, August 6th, 2013

Katylist offers direct-to-customer armor products as well as exclusive items produced by Shellback Tactical.

Katylist is a forward thinking defense product and outdoor gear website. Katylist is comprised of dedicated professionals that have a history in the defense industry. We have developed and launched proven products with other brands and continue to create new ones. Katylist is not only a new site but a new brand to watch. As we grow, expect to see new unique and exclusive products only available at Katylist. We will also offer a full line of Hard Armor products and be adding the best proven unique new products and brands over time. At Katylist you can expect more.

And now, for a limited time, Katylist has Level IV Brand New Victory Tactical Gear rifle plates on Sale for $169.95!

www.katylist.com

Tags: KATYLIST
Posted in Industry | Comments Off on Katylist Launches

5.11 Tactical Now Available in Realtree Xtra

Sunday, August 4th, 2013

5.11 Tactical has made a significant foray into the hunting world with the introduction of their new color option, Realtree Xtra. SGM Kyle E. Lamb (USA, Ret) of Viking Tactics and Robb Wiley from Non-Typical Outfitters are featured in this video which gives you a glimpse of hunting in 5.11.

Offered in limited styles including the Taclite Pro Pant as well as Taclite Pro Shirt in short and long sleeves. There is also the Rush72 Pack and two models of caps. With 5.11’s foothold in several big box hunting and fishing specialty stores, this looks to be a savvy move.

www.511tactical.com/realtree

Tags: 5.11 Tactical, Realtree
Posted in Camo, Clothing, Industry | 1 Comment »

Grey Ghost Gear Announces New Director of Business Development

Thursday, August 1st, 2013

Dalton Gardens, ID —31 JUL 13— Grey Ghost Gear is pleased to announce the selection of Ms. Lindsey Lea as the GGG Director of Business Development. Lea transitions to Grey Ghost Gear after four years with Tactical Tailor.

In her capacity as the Director of Business Development Ms. Lea will be handling OEM matters, new product launches and overall direction of the development team.She will be supervising new product launches as well as internal procedures, but most importantly will be the liaison between the individuals actually testing GGG’s new products in combat and the development team, integrating the two and ensuring a flawless execution of the changes and evolutions the guys on the sharp end require prior to finalization and commercial manufacture.

“Though Lindsey has been the new Grey Ghost HMFIC only a short time she has already had tremendous impact within the organization,” says Grey Ghost Gear CEO Casey Ingels. “That’s not a
big surprise of course. Harnessing her business sense, rapport with industry partners and work ethic on Grey Ghost’s behalf was a no-brainer.”

Lea actually started working for Tactical Tailor in 2008, where she was initially in customer service. She quickly established herself as The Indispensible Girl however and—in a classic example of “there’s the man in charge and the woman who knows what’s going on” rose to the position of Contract Administration/Government Procurement Executive (or, in insider terms, the XO for JTF GW).

“I’ll just say it is a huge force multiplier to have someone this reliable on hand,” GW Ayers (CC/JTFGW) said. “There’s no substitute for someone you can send forth to conquer without constant supervision and follow-up. Grey Ghost is lucky to have her.” Lindsey enjoys shooting and the occasional bar fight. She is currently awaiting a new Primary Weapon Systems .308, frequently spends quality time with a Knight’s Armament AR15 and has carried on a love affair with a handsome Noveske rifle for almost as long as she was with Tactical tailor. An accomplished equestrienne, she is currently training an American Quarterhorse appropriately named Danger. She advises it was touch and go for a while whether she was going to be showing him or sending him off to the arts & crafts community in the form of glue but thankfully his behavior has improved.

Lindsey will be wandering Outdoor Retail (with a Yeti on her back) if you want to link up. Send her an e-mail at ll@greyghostgear.com to schedule it. Be sure to address her as “Most Imminent Despotrix” or “High Gynarch of Grey Ghost” if you would. Media/industry folks, those who won’t be at OR, please contact her at that same e-mail address if you need anything. For articles and blog posts please direct readers and prospective end users to sales@greyghostgear.com.

Thank you!
The GGG Team

www.greyghostgear.com/

Tags: Grey Ghost Gear
Posted in Industry | 6 Comments »