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Federal Court Affirms Hydrapak Victory Over Source Vagabond

Monday, February 4th, 2013

Hydrapak issued this press release regarding the United States Federal Appellate Court affirmation of the dismissal of a law suit brought by Source Vagabond in 2011 alleging patent infringement by Hydrapak.

Hydrapak, a leading global supplier of active-lifestyle hydration equipment, announced that the United States Federal Appellate Court affirmed its victory over Source Vagabond Systems in a 2011 patent-infringement lawsuit.

In a one-word ruling, the court “affirmed” the decision made in April 2012 by the U.S. District Court Judge Colleen McMahon, which dismissed Source Vagabond’s claims of patent infringement.

In a related decision, the Hon. Judge James L. Cott recommended a sanction amount of $187,000 in the favor of Hydrapak for the frivolous filing of the lower court case. This recommendation now goes to Judge McMahon for her ruling.

“Once again, the courts have validated the integrity of our work,” said Matt Lyon, President of Hydrapak. “We are thrilled to move forward from this chapter and continue to create superior hydration systems.”

Hydrapak, which has steadily gained market share in the military, industrial and law enforcement categories, recently announced two separate partnerships with top military designer and manufacturer, London Bridge Trading, and leading distributor and U.S. Prime Vendor Source One Distributors.

“By mirroring our successful recreation business model of partnering with industry and worldwide brands, Hydrapak continues to gain market share in the hydration category on the Military, LE and Industrial fronts,” Lyon added.

Source Vagabond’s 2011 lawsuit contended that the top closure system used in Hydrapak’s Reversible Reservoir II infringed upon Source Vagabond’s patent.

Even before the suit was dismissed last April, Hydrapak was awarded its own patent on its unique and novel closure method – a tacit acknowledgment of the company’s pioneering design and intellectual property.

www.hydrapak.com

Tags: Hydrapak, Source Hydration
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Thales Appoints Todd Borkey as Chief Technology Officer and Strategic Initiatives Lead for US Communications Business

Friday, February 1st, 2013

Thales has announced that Todd Borkey is now on board as their CTO and Strategic Initiatives Lead. Congratulations!

Thales Communications, Inc., a global leader in the development, manufacture, and support of tactical communications products for warfighters and first responders, has appointed Todd Borkey as the company’s Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Strategic Initiatives. Mr. Borkey is responsible for leading the management of a diverse portfolio of businesses and products, including Sonars, Ship Combat Management Systems, Helmet Mounted Displays, Cyber Security, Training and Simulation, and Radars. This includes identifying additional business areas for company expansion in the U.S. defense and security market and leading the company’s initiatives to extend the scope and reach within U.S. markets for the products and systems of the global Thales organization.

Mr. Borkey is a proven business leader with extensive experience in general management, programs, and business development. He comes to Thales from DRS Defense Solutions, where, as Chief Technology Officer since 2007, he led the strategic planning, innovation, and IR&D process for its diverse $1.3 billion defense business. Prior to DRS, Mr. Borkey served as Director of Business Development for Northrop Grumman’s Government Systems Division. Earlier in his career, he held a range of engineering assignments at AT&T Bell Labs and Sandia Labs.

“Todd’s expertise and leadership will be instrumental in the continued growth of our company,” said Michael Sheehan, President and CEO of Thales Communications, Inc. “With the expansion of our capabilities and our product portfolio, we are well positioned to significantly increase our offerings, and our value, to our customers.”

Mr. Borkey received a Master of Science degree in Engineering Management from the Stevens Institute of Technology and an undergraduate degree in Applied Mathematics.

www.thalescomminc.com

Tags: Thales
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HELIKON-TEX Adds PenCott to its Camouflage Line-up

Thursday, January 31st, 2013

Hyde Definition, developers of the PenCott family of camouflage patterns has announced that European tactical clothing brand HELIKON-TEX is adding the GreenZone, Badlands and Snowdrift variants to its line-up.

At the upcoming IWA & Outdoor Classics 2013 trade show in March, HELIKON-TEX will initially debut PenCott versions of their Combat Patrol Uniform followed by their Combat Shirt, Boonie Hat and Combat Cap models.

In the second half of 2013 HELIKON-TEX will also roll-out the PenCott patterns on a new Parka design.

Tags: HELIKON-TEX, Hyde Definition, PenCott
Posted in Camo, Clothing, Industry | 11 Comments »

Edgar Brothers’ Tim Hill Appointed Bushnell Optics Product Manager

Thursday, January 31st, 2013

We received this press release from the Shooting Sports side of Edgar Brothers.

Bushnell’s UK distributor, Edgar Brothers has appointed Tim Hill as Bushnell Optics Product Manager for the brand’s range of hunting and shooting sports optics.

Wiltshire-based Tim has worked as Edgar Brothers’ Area Sales Manager for the South of England for the past two years, and this exciting new role will be an additional responsibility. An optics specialist, Tim said he has always been very keen on Bushnell products: “Their range of riflescopes, trail cameras, laser range finders and binoculars are true market leaders. I am thrilled to be the brand representative and will liaise directly with Bushnell, Edgar Brothers internal personnel and retailers on technical data, sales and marketing initiatives.”

Bushnell has been the industry leader in high-performance optics for more than 60 years. Their guiding principle is to provide the highest quality, most reliable and affordable sports optics products on the market.

shootingsports.edgarbrothers.com

Tags: Bushnell Optics, Edgar Bothers, UK
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TacJobs – Bates Military Sales Manager

Wednesday, January 30th, 2013

Bates, a division of Wolverine Worldwide Inc. and a global leader in military and public safety footwear, seeks a Military Sales Manager with the defined leadership skills and a measurable track record of success to lead our military sales team. The qualified candidate must have a thorough understanding of the US military market in terms of product procurement, logistics, and government contracting across all armed service categories.

Responsibilities:
•Will be a key member of the Bates team contributing to the development of military sales strategy, forecasts, and growth plans
•Will expand and/or develop strong relationships with key US military decision makers
•Create revenue growth with US military units via troop level product procurement
•Identify military footwear product trends and proactively create product solutions for all military branches
•Effectively work in conjunction with Natick Labs, NEXCOM, and MARCOSYSCOM and establish Bates proprietary footwear technology as spec
•Supports US DOD contract administration team to efficiently execute contract solicitations
•Manage and grow Bates commercial military business at the exchange level for AAFES, NEXCOM, and USMC
•Direct and lead the Bates military sales force (15 employees and agents) to develop strong relationships with key influencers, end users, supply officers, and KO’s
•Will enhance and diversify the Bates revenue stream to encompass all TLS suppliers via marketing , product development, and sales force alignment
•Performs duties consistent with the company’s AAP/EEO goals and policies.
•Performs other duties as required/assigned by manager.

Qualifications:
•Demonstrable understanding of the sales process (prospecting, qualifying, demonstrating, influencing, closing) and military management experience
• 5-7 years direct Business-to-Business sales or contract-based sales experience
•Strong customer-centric, relationship, and retention ability
•Proficient in use of computers and software (Excel, Word, Microsoft Office, CRM Software, etc.)
•Applicable Bachelors degree plus seven-ten (7-10) years successful sales experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience
•Requires strong verbal and written communication skills

Apply to Link below:
https://careers-wolverineworldwide.icims.com/jobs/3178/job

Tags: Bates Footwear
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Source One CEO & President Mark Llano Joins Veterans’ Pathway Board of Directors

Friday, January 25th, 2013

Veterans’ Pathway to Business Success is a non-profit, entrepreneurial grant program for Florida’s Veterans who have served in Afghanistan or Iraq. They announced recently that highly decorated Marine veteran Mark Llano, President and CEO of Source One Distributors, has joined its Board of Directors. Mark served in the Gulf War and has been presented with many entrepreneurial awards during his time at Source One, including the National Veteran Owned Business Association’s Vetrepreneur® of the Year Award, the United States Small Business Administration’s Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year Award (Florida) and the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2011 Florida Award (Distribution & Manufacturing). According to Ernst & Young LLP, the award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.

Recipients of grants from Veterans’ Pathway are Veteran entrepreneurs who are hoping to start their own business or who have an established business and are seeking funding for expansion. The main requirements for receiving funding are for Veterans who:

• have served in Afghanistan or Iraq after September 11, 2001;
• have, or are eligible for, an honorable discharge;
• reside in Florida and can provide proof of residency; and
• present a detailed business plan for eventual approval by the Veterans’ Pathway Board of Directors.

Major General Joe Taluto, US Army Retired and Vice President of the Veterans Pathway Board of Directors commented, “We believe Mark Llano will bring immense value to Veterans’ Pathway mission. Not only is he a highly respected and decorated Marine, he has achieved great professional success as an entrepreneur following his military service. Mark exemplifies the business leader we want our Veterans to become: Entrepreneurs with the vision, determination and leadership skills to succeed.” Major General Taluto went on to say that “I am greatly impressed by Mark’s life story, the adversity he overcame and the courage and skill it took to build a successful business. I have met many great leaders over my 44 years of military service. Mark’s character and integrity ranks with some of the best I have known.”

Tags: Mark Llano, Source One
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The Premier of the New Beyond Approach

Thursday, January 24th, 2013

Outdoor Retailer Winter Market is the first emergence of a rebranded Beyond Clothing. From the get go, you can’t think of this new brand in terms of the old Beyond Clothing and Beyond Tactical lines. Rather, they have postured themselves as simply Beyond. I was so blown away with what they showed me that I had to think about how to share it with you. We didn’t even talk product. It was all about how Beyond is going to interact with its customers rather than what they are going to see them.

This is Beyond’s booth. The centerpiece is a four-armed, eight foot tall man. They took the measurements of the manikin before it was shipped to OR from the vendor and then custom tailored the clothing in their shop in Seattle over a two day period. It indicates what they can make but he individual 1:1 size manikins along the edge of the booth show customized clothing solutions for a variety of climate challenges. Those displays show what Beyond can do.

They are turning traditional outdoor on its head by focusing on customization for the individual. In the Beyond model the customer is the pro athlete, regardless of his background, requirements or goals. The customer is the participant in the process, a partner if you will, and his needs are the focus of the solution provided by Beyond. For SSD readers that may well be what we consider tactical. But it could just as easily be a hardcore outdoor garment or more of a lifestyle piece. Regardless of the clothing solution, it will be tailored in form, fit and function.

One of the things I like about what I am hearing is that Beyond is transforming to become more than just a site to purchase cool gear. Although in its infancy Beyond is building a community where customers become members and can interact with one another. Granted, Beyond will still have a bench of pros to go to for inspiration and to help answer those interesting questions that pop up. These men and women will be called Guides and will be a part of the community, there to help their fellow travelers.

They’ve already launched their new ecommerce site, but that’s just phase 1. We’ll see more and more content added over the next few months. It’s important to start at their site to see what’s going on.

www.beyondclothing.com

Tags: Beyond
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SHOT Show – Vertx Working with Industrial Alchemy to Produce Packs and Bags

Wednesday, January 16th, 2013

SHOT Show 2013 marks Vertx’s move into packs and bags. They’ve teamed with design house Industrial Alchemy. Industrial Alchemy has been around for about 10 years and does a lot of work in the core outdoor industry. In fact, they worked on the old SDS commercial line. That means you are going to see some cross over of outdoor into tactical designs.

Colors are both earth tones as well as Kryptek patterns. While final color decisions remain, you can be assured that their will be great options for blending in.

These are design concepts that will give you an idea of what they will be offering. They are concentrating on a smooth, no obtrusive exterior with a ton of features built in. Sure, there’s PALS webbing behind the flaps of this sling bag. But what you won’t see here is the secret sauce behind the PALS behind the flaps. We’ll leave that for a later time.