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Archive for the ‘Industry’ Category

AFMO Out on the Prowl

Tuesday, January 17th, 2012

AFMO owners Kirk and Rikki Rovinski were out and about at SHOT Show looking for the latest and greatest kit (after reading the news on SSD of course).

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www.afmo.com

Blue Force Gear Welcomes Dawn West

Tuesday, January 17th, 2012

Blue Force Gear, Inc. would like to welcome their recent hire, Dawn West. She will be working directly with President Ashley Burnsed on large projects including their new line of tactical nylon goods. She will also be assisting in overall business strategy.

Dawn comes from ADS, Inc. in Virginia Beach after joining them in March of 2005. She recently served for three and a half years under Amy Coyne as a Program Manager overseeing all commercial programs. She has worked extensively with the Natick SOF SSES group on one of the larger contracts she has managed. Prior to her Program Management position, she worked under Levi Wilson for three years in the Marine Corps Sales Division.

She has extensive knowledge regarding program management, supply chain management, military procurement processes and a proven ability to ensure contractual compliance and oversight.

Prior to working at ADS, Inc., Dawn worked in the commercial and residential real estate industries as a Project Manager for many large developments. She also served as the Senior Corporate Accountant for the New York Times Company.

Dawn is a graduate of Old Dominion University and has degrees in Accounting and Finance.

www.blueforcegear.com

GSS Launches New Site

Tuesday, January 17th, 2012

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www.GSSgear.com

Whiskey 5 – Kryptek

Sunday, January 15th, 2012

WHO
Kryptek Outdoor Group…A.K.A. “Kryptek, Kryptek Apparel, Kryptek Camo Technologies, Kryptek L.E.A.F, and Kryptek Adventures”…These are more of focus areas then they are stand alone entities. There are actually two legal entities within the Kryptek family of focuses; Kryptek L.E.A.F., and Kryptek Outdoor Group.

WHAT
Kryptek products are born from battlefield knowledge, focusing on what works in combat and honing it for other outdoor adventure use. Founded by a highly-decorated and vastly experienced group of men with first-hand knowledge of everything from air, land and sea combat to high tech camouflage development, Kryptek translates their military experience into product features to meet the needs of soldiers, first responders, civilian hunters and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Kryptek Outdoor Group manufactures high-end hunting clothing; designs specialized products for law enforcement and armed forces; and develops high tech camouflage patterns. Its products designed for extreme conditions and seeks to push the boundaries of what is possible. More than just clothing, the company integrates tactical gear concepts and evolves this technology into technical outdoor adventure/hunting apparel and other top-of-the-line clothing that is comfortable, functional and durable.

Bringing “Battlefield to Backcountry” Kryptek looks to outdo expectations and deliver serious hunters and outdoorsmen with superior products modeled after what is used by our nation’s elite. In order to achieve this Kryptek counts on its pro-staff, a cadre of men involved in special ops to help test and give feedback and help create the most functional gear on the planet.

Kryptek’s Law Enforcement and Armed Forces (L.E.A.F.) subsidiary is driven to do what no other company does – provide customized, performance-based apparel that is specific and unique. It is focused on serving law enforcement, armed forces, first responders, homeland defense and other government agencies. Preconceived notions of what customers want do not drive the company. Instead, Kryptek is dedicated to creating preeminent apparel based on field-input and customer feedback. This group depends on their gear, period. Kryptek understands this and joins with its customers to design and manufacture apparel that will work for them.

Kryptek also creates technologically advanced camouflage patterns. The goal is simple: enhance survivability and mission success. Users are consistently looking for more effective camouflage for these two reasons. Using field knowledge and advanced technology, Kryptek creates anything but generic patterns. The company utilizes the teams’ nearly decade worth of experience designing the leading hunting camouflage patterns in the industry and combines it with battlefield experience and the foremost innovative scientific techniques available in order to generate the most effective patterns possible.

WHEN
Kryptek products are currently carried exclusively by Cabela’s as well as their online store. They have several new camouflage patterns they will be releasing in the days to come that are simply cutting edge, and extremely effective on the battlefield, and in the backcountry.

WHERE
Kryptek is based out of Fairbanks Alaska, with key personnel throughout the U.S., as well as a vast group of Pro staff that are serving in various parts of the world.

WHY
Tactical application has enormous cross over into the outdoor adventure world, and vice verse. Many U.S. operators use high end mountaineering apparel and gear. In light of recent world events, the employment of Conventional, Special Operations Forces and other Government Agencies focused on protecting our freedom by fighting and winning our nations battles has been at an all time high. From battlefield experience, new technologies, equipment, and apparel have emerged. The concept of the Kryptek Outdoor Group also emerged on the battlefield, through actual combat experience. The idea of tailoring specifically to our Nations clandestine warriors, and spiraling this kit and garb into the hunting and outdoor adventure markets was birthed by a clandestine warrior, executing covert operations, in combat.

The concept of Kryptek is one driven by passion. Seeing a need and niche in the market, a window of opportunity, and an overwhelming desire to do what no other company has done; provide customized, performance based apparel that is specific and unique, that meets or exceeds the expectations of the user, and consistently obtains the desired results. Kryptek is not driven by a preconceived notion of what the customer should want. Through experimentation and customer feedback, we will incorporate product features that meet the customer’s wants for functionality, durability, appeal and overall results.

The Kryptek Outdoor Group concept allows for the founders to fuse their combat experience and connection to the military with their love for the outdoors. By using the U.S. Military Special Operation Forces market as a focus group for research and development, the image of these warriors becomes woven into the fabric of the Kryptek brand. It becomes inherent to the image of the organization, and as these items are offered to the civilian hunter and outdoor adventure seeker, not only will the civilian customer be using s superior product, but one that is being used by our Nation’s elite.

“We come from a background where performance matters and results are expected,” said CEO Butch Whiting, an 11-year veteran of the U.S. Army who served in Afghanistan and Iraq and received two Bronze Stars among other recognitions. “The same principals of aiming for accomplishment and victory, of no compromises, of leaving nothing to chance, especially your gear – these all apply not only to tactical communities, but to hunting and outdoor adventure seekers as well, which is why we are fusing battlefield and backcountry experience to develop ultra high end apparel that has application and function in both arena’s.”

www.Kryptek.com

ITW Military Products / AustriAlpin Teaming Up for a Project

Friday, January 13th, 2012

ITW Nexus/ Military Products has announced that they have teamed up with AustriAlpin to introduce a new innovative joint venture at SHOT Show that aligns the best of both company’s capabilities.

ITW Nexus/Military Products Business Unit Manager Craig Ernst indicated that while they are letting us in on it early, the product is currently in its infancy stage with release industry wide later this year.

Keep an eye out for the upcoming pictures and an interview with ITW and AustriAlpin during the show.

ITW Military Products is exhibiting in booth #10479.

Hyde Definition Responds to Army Camo Improvement Effort Downselect Announcement

Friday, January 13th, 2012

Hyde Definition asked us to publish this response to the Army Camouflage Improvement Effort downselect announcement…

You will have noticed that Hyde Definition was not included among the list of those awarded development contracts in the PEO Soldier / US Army Camouflage Improvement Initiative. We were in fact notified in advance of the contracts announcement that we had been disqualified because our PenCott pattern was already available commercially.

We’d like to point out that we found no notice in the RFP that the submitted pattern could NOT be one that was commercially available. Indeed, the PenCott patterns that we submitted were altered sufficiently from our commercially available versions as to be distinctly for the Army’s useage; furthermore, one of the patterns submitted was a new one developed expressly for the purposes of the competition.

We were also disqualified becuase we didn’t supply a letter from a second printer attesting to the manufacturability of our patterns. Somehow the fact that we’ve been selling fabric in these patterns for several months (hence the first reason for disqualification!), and the physical samples of Berry-compliant, vat-printed, mil-spec 50/50 NyCo (with nIR and durability test results!) wasn’t enough evidence to show the viability of our patterns…

Regardless of whether the Army ultimately fields a new family of camouflage patterns for uniforms and clothing, Hyde Definition’s PenCott pattern will continue to be appreciated by users who understand that good camouflage is about effective concealment – not about popularity, fashion or inter-service branding. We at Hyde Definition are also looking forward to great year in 2012 as we expand our portfolio of patterns, partners and solutions for military and law enforcement professionals, armed citizens and action sports enthusiasts.

On that note, drop by to see us at the SHOT Show with our friends from SOD Gear and TangoDown at booth # 27303 – featuring the world premiere of our new “Snowdrift” pattern, and Propel’s Quiet Loop product printed in PenCott-GreenZone, PenCott-Badlands and PenCott-Sandstorm!

Announcing Insight Racing

Thursday, January 12th, 2012

An exciting new partnership has been brewing in late 2011 and we are happy to announce that in 2012, Jeff Westphal Racing and Tactical Night Vision Company will be working together during Jeff’s Grand Am Continental Sports Car campaign with Insight Racing in the #19 BMW M3.

Jeff Westphal was introduced to TNVC CEO, Victor Di Cosola at Infineon Raceway while attending Jim Russell Racing School (now Simraceway Performance Driving) where the two had a significant amount of business similarities, making it a wise choice for a technical partnership. “TNVC and Victor operate with a high level of precision, which helps give our military and law enforcement customers an advantage over the opposition, the same type of attention to detail and precision that I look for in a race team. I have been working with Insight Racing since mid 2011, and they are the perfect ally to have with the JWR and TNVC partnership as their endurance racing background is so detail dependent and oriented.” Explained Jeff “TNVC and I will be working together with Insight Racing to help bring awareness of tactical equipment for consumers around the globe, as well as expand business opportunities for industry related companies.”

TNVC is a California based company with operations based in Wisconsin and California.. They supply many branches of the US Government, and U.S. Law Enforcement with Night Vision products and training. Victor Di Cosola, The President/CEO was and is adamant about creating a knowledgeable company for people to learn about and purchase proper night vision equipment, the type and quality resource he would have loved during his early years. “I take much pride in being able to help save the lives of our boys overseas, anything I can do to give them a leg up on the opposition, TNVC is ready to support them. I have a great respect for what our troops go through, as well as any professional in their industry. To be at the top of your craft in anything it takes much dedication and skill, so I am confident TNVC has partnered with the right people in motorsports to help elevate the image of all the parties involved.” Said Victor.

You will be able to catch Jeff Westphal and TNVC in the 2012 Continental Tire Sports Car Series races with the Insight Racing #19 BMW M3, broadcast on Speed channel.

Come meet Jeff in person at the TNVC Booth at the 2012 SHOT Show: Booth #6502.

Gentex Announces Purchase of Ops-Core

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012

In a press release, Gentex has announced their purchase of Ops-Core, one of the most innovative tactical companies in the market. We have long been impressed with both their vision and execution of headborne armor systems. Recently, their designs have been selected to protect American as well as Allied personnel and with this they have grown in both size as well as importance. We are pleased to see that Gentex has chosen to expand their offerings with the acquisition of Ops-Core and we feel it will be not only a great fit, but also good for the personnel and units who rely on Ops-Core for their helmets. Congratulations!

Two companies, focused on serving the modern war fighter, have joined today to deliver sophisticated personal protective equipment for elite military units around the world. Ops-Core, Inc., located in Boston, MA, was acquired this week by Gentex Corporation, a long-standing global leader in personal protection and situation awareness products. This agreement reflects a passion to deliver industry-leading solutions shared by both firms.

“Foremost, Ops-Core customers will benefit from the strategic nature of this business transaction,” stated David Rogers, former Ops- Core Chief Executive Officer and new Vice President of Concept Development at Gentex. “Meeting the growing demand and supply of our products with shorter lead times will be supported by Gentex’s substantial manufacturing capabilities,” Rogers explained, “while delivering improved technology solutions for our existing customer base.”

“Accelerating our combined capabilities to successfully meet the increasing demands of the modern warfighter is essential to our business strategy in today’s competitive defense marketplace and is a true convergence of our business strengths,” said L. Peter Frieder, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of Gentex Corporation. “Ops-Core is already well known for producing the world’s first and only fully modular helmet platform for ground forces with the ability to meet the U.S. Army’s protective standards with excellent stability, low weight and comfort. Gentex has a proven and long-standing presence in aircrew helmet systems for high-speed jet and rotary wing customers who rely upon integrated night vision, communications and other situation awareness technologies; along with comprehensive skills in advanced materials science and engineering. Having access to such technologies and resulting capabilities will provide Ops-Core’s special operations customers with the ultimate choice of solutions for every mission scenario.”

“In the future, existing Ops-Core products fielded by elite warfighters could easily expand Gentex’s core offerings to more traditional ground forces,” added John Pullo, Vice President of Ground Systems, Gentex.

Gentex has been involved with every advance of Ground and Combat Vehicle Crew protection for the last 50 years, delivering over 1.5 million helmets to such programs as U.S. Army Advanced Combat Helmets (ACH), U.S. Marine Corps Lightweight Helmet, Combat Vehicle Crew (CVC) Helmet and Personnel Protective Armor System Ground Troops (PASGT) Helmet, as well as supplying eye and face protection, communications and other helmet accessories.

Ops-Core was founded in 2005 by David and Viktoria Rogers. David will lead the location and work closely with Gentex’s key business, operations and technical personnel, while Viktoria will remain in an active leadership role at Ops-Core to ensure a seamless transition for customers and employees. Ops-Core will remain at its current Boston location and retain its operations, vendors and employees.

Customers may visit with Ops-Core and Gentex personnel, by appointment only, at the upcoming SHOT Show in Las Vegas, NV, from January 17-20, 2012 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center, Booth #8111.

www.ops-core.com