Archive for the ‘Industry’ Category
How They Roll at Tactical Tailor
Thursday, July 18th, 2013Gunter’s List Of US Made Products
Thursday, July 18th, 2013
‘Gunter’s List of US Made Products’ is a list of 3300 companies that make products in the USA. For each entry there is an indicator stating if all or some of their product line is made in the USA, whether they’re domestic or foreign owned, and a link to their website. A content bar lists all the available categories and subcategories making navigation simple. Understandably, there’s a fair number of tactical gear, clothing, and firearms companies on the list, although the hundreds of other companies offering US-made products are also worth a look.
The State of the Union at Raven Concealment Systems
Friday, July 12th, 2013We received this status update from our friends Raven Concealment Systems and thought it would be worth sharing with our readers.
July marks the culmination of many months of continuous improvements in our manufacturing processes, as well as the addition of new tooling and technology to our production facility.
The result of these improvements is something we are very proud and excited to announce: Starting in July, the lead time for ALL CUSTOM ORDERS has been reduced by 40%. In addition to this reduction, we have continued to add to our “Quick Ship” Program. Holsters for these items are available with 3-5 day shipping:
-All Glocks
-All S&W M&P Semi Auto’s
-All Non-Railed 1911’s
-HK P30, 45, and 45 Compact
-Sig P239, P229R
-Glocks and M&P’s with X300, X300 -Ultra, and TLR-1 Lights
-Magazine carriers for almost every model of defensive handgun
-Magazine carriers for all models of M4/AR-15 pattern rifles
Finally, RCS has also introduced a number of new products that are in stock and available for immediate shipment:
-Glock and M&P VanGuard 2’s
-ModuLoader Frames to belt mount many MOLLE pouches
-A sturdy pocket clip for the Surefire G, P, and Fury series lights
As always, RCS liked to “under-promise and over-deliver.” We will remain dedicated to quality products, service, and unmatched lifetime warranty. All of our products will continue to be made in the USA.
Hiller Ignite Presents 2013 Ignite Awards to The Travis Manion Foundation and InfraScan
Thursday, July 11th, 2013VIRGINIA BEACH, VA July 11, 2013 Hillier Ignite, an organization dedicated to promoting democracy and freedom by creating economic opportunity, today announced the recipients of the Ignite Warrior for Warriors Award and the Ignite Lifesaving Innovation Award for 2013.
The Ignite award annually recognizes and rewards outstanding achievements tied to each of Hillier Ignite’s core focus areas: entrepreneurs/innovation, youth, and active duty military and their families. The Ignite Lifesaving Innovation Award recognizes the company responsible for creating and introducing a product that Hillier Ignite has judged to be the year’s most significant lifesaving innovation; the Ignite Youth Award recognizes a person or organization that has taught and inspired disadvantaged youth; and the Ignite Warrior for Warriors Award recognizes a person or organization that has provided significant support to veterans in overcoming the challenges related to the transition to civilian life or the challenges faced by military families. The Ignite Warrior for Warriors Award and Ignite Youth Award both include an unrestricted grant of $25,000. The Ignite Youth Award will be presented later in 2013.
An important goal of Hillier Ignite is to encourage greater entrepreneurship and innovation towards initiatives that can save lives – particularly those of our warfighters. The Ignite Lifesaving Innovation Award is part of the organization’s effort to ignite this movement, by recognizing an outstanding product and the people behind it. The inaugural Hillier Ignite Lifesaving Innovation award was presented to InfraScan, for its Infrascanner 2000, a portable screening device that uses Near-Infrared (NIR) technology to screen patients for intracranial bleeding.
“Traumatic brain injury touches many veterans and military families. For those injured far from the diagnostic machines available in hospitals, fast and accurate assessment of the impact of head trauma can be the difference between life and death, said Luke Hillier, Founder and President of Hillier Ignite. “The Infrascanner 2000 is the lifesaving innovation that makes this possible, within minutes, and as with many great innovations, it has both military and civilian applications.”
“InfraScan is honored to receive the Ignite Lifesaving Innovation Award for the Infrascanner Model 2000,” said Dr. Baruch Ben Dor, Chief Executive Officer of InfraScan. “The Infrascanner is a result of a hard work of a team of entrepreneurs in collaboration with local universities, the state of Pennsylvania and the US Navy and Marines. Entrepreneurship is not only driving the economy and creating businesses, but it is also the means to move lifesaving innovations from laboratory bench to patient bedside.”
What I’ve Been Doing All Morning
Wednesday, July 10th, 2013Thanks to FirstSpear, Oakley, SIG Sauer, Zero Point and Wilcox Industries…look for a full report soon.
NSSF Chooses ConvExx as SHOT Show Management Partner
Monday, July 8th, 2013The National Shooting Sports Foundation has issued this press release announcing their new SHOT Show management partner, ConvExx. Earlier this year, NSSF ended its three decades long relationship with UK-based Reed Exhibitions after they restricted the sale of Modern Sporting Rifles at a large industry show unrelated to SHOT Show.
NEWTOWN, Conn. — After an extensive national search involving the trade show industry’s top management companies, the National Shooting Sports Foundation® (NSSF®) has selected ConvExx as its new SHOT Show® management partner. ConvExx replaces longtime NSSF partner Reed Exhibitions.
Based in Las Vegas, ConvExx is privately held and has produced more than 200 shows and events, working with more than a million exhibitors and attendees. ConvExx produces the annual Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show, which at nearly 1 million net square feet and 135,000 attendees is ranked as the fourth largest trade show in America by Trade Show Executive magazine (SHOT Show is ranked 16th).
“We’re excited to have ConvExx on board as our new management partner,” said Chris Dolnack, NSSF senior vice president and chief marketing officer. “ConvExx offers a unique combination of extensive large-show and Las Vegas experience, which will serve our exhibitors and attendees well.”
“We’re thrilled to be selected to help NSSF manage the SHOT Show,” said ConvExx Chairman Chuck Schwartz. “The SHOT Show is one of the premier trade show events, and we are proud to be associated with NSSF and the shooting sports industry.”
The SHOT Show — the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show — is owned and sponsored by NSSF. It is the largest and most comprehensive trade show for all professionals involved with the shooting sports, hunting and law enforcement industries. The 2014 SHOT Show will be held Jan. 14-17 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas.
RockTape Partners With 5.11 to Launch New Tactical Line
Friday, July 5th, 2013Not that long ago we told you that kinesiology tape makes RockTape had brought Chris Costa on board as spokesman. The tape is used to treat a wide variety of sports injuries or increase performance by increasing blood flow to applies areas.
Things certainly seem to be looking up for the brand as they’ve just announced the launch of a new line with 5.11 Tactical. For 5.11 it seems like a great natural progression following their new 5.11 Recon line of training products that include shirts, shorts and footwear.
Costa certainly has a lot of great things to say about RockTape saying in a recent press release, “Pain is a distraction, and you absolutely can’t allow it to affect your focus. You can apply RockTape yourself and it stays on through intense physical activity. You’re not bothered by muscle pain or soreness — you don’t even think about it anymore.”
RockTape weighed in on the deal as well. “We’re committed to helping tactical athletes and first responders with a product that solves the pain problem and a means to improve their performance. RockTape is effective, versatile and affordable. It’s the perfect product to fit in a rucksack or go-bag, which is why we’ve partnered with 5.11 tactical,” said Greg van den dries, CEO of RockTape. “We both believe in providing customers with high quality, effective product that stands up to the requirements of field work.”
And naturally, 5.11 shared their thoughts. “We are like-minded in how we serve this industry says Guy Burgstahler, CMO of 5.11 Tactical. “No doubt, reliable gear and a pain-free experience helps performance which is why we’re glad to partner with RockTape. We know we’re providing customers with the best, most-reliable, useful product that enables them to have a safe, effective outcome.”
This looks to be a pretty big deal for Tony Blauer, RockTape consultant, renowned hand to hand trainer, CEO of BTS Inc and founder of The S.P.E.A.R. System. He commented, “I don’t know of any serious combative athlete that is free of pain. We train hard and our bodies pay the price. RockTape offers structural or muscle support when applied correctly and this can help alleviate many distractions during training — and while training without distractions is vital for every athlete, it’s especially important for an individual in the tactical community.”
All in all, this sounds great, but I wonder how Costa or Blauer will fit into the deal with 5.11 Tactical as it would seem odd for RockTape to continue to market a tactical line concurrent with this new licensing deal.
Statement From “New” Ares Armor CEO
Thursday, July 4th, 2013Ares Armor posted this letter to their customers on their website earlier today. I’ve known Dmitri for several years now and he is one solid dude. I didn’t realize that for a time someone else was at the helm at Ares Armor but its good o see that he taken back the reins to assume position as CEO and that he is taking full responsibility for what is going on there regarding their 80% products. That is what I want to see in American business.
Ares Armor Customers,
For those of you who don’t know who I am. My name is Dimitri and as of about two weeks ago I took back my position as the CEO and am in full control of Ares Armor. I am going to start this letter off with a promise; I will take zero compensation in the form of a paycheck, bonus or any other workaround from Ares Armor until every single order for 80% products has been completed.
I would like to personally apologize for several things that we as a company have clearly done wrong.
Our communication with our customers has been atrocious and there is absolutely no excuse for that. Being busy is not a good reason to ignore the customers that support you. This is completely inexcusable behavior. We took in far too many orders than we were set up to handle. We have fallen far behind. Bill Gates once said, “Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.” I have spent the last few nights awake scouring the internet reading every negative review I could find. There was plenty to learn.
My focus and the foremost of my attention will be directed at cleaning up our customer service. We have been making some very serious changes in the way we operate.
1. We will no longer take back orders through our website for 80% products.
2. We have set up an online live inventory system for all products that are not made to order items such as Tactical Nylon and Custom Kydex.
3. We have launched a new customer support system that will allow us to organize and respond to inquiries in a timely manner. If you want to get a hold of us please send an email to support@aresarmor.com or go to support.aresarmor.com and submit a ticket directly into our customer support system.
4. We have hired additional staff to ensure that we have someone answering the phones and returning calls.
In life, a man is judged by not only his own words and actions but by the company he keeps. Some of our partners that have acted as suppliers have been poor company indeed. We have received dates, times, quantities, and promises that have all been false. We are to blame for allowing this to happen.
We have secured alternate supply chains and will work nonstop to ensure that we fill orders as fast as we possibly can.
For those of you that have open orders with us. I will not rest until your order is filled.
Dimitri Karras, CEO
