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Archive for the ‘Industry’ Category

ESS Offices Threatened By Wildfires

Tuesday, August 20th, 2013

Wildfires are threatening several counties in Idaho including the home of ESS. In spite of an evacuation notice, ESS will continue to support their customers as much as possible. If you try to contact the company’s main phone number you may get this message. However, employees may reach out via email or cell phones as possible.

Thank you for calling ESS. Our office is currently closed due to local Idaho wildfires burning near Sun Valley. Evacuation notices have affected our location, and we will re-open the office once those notices allow for our employees’ safe return to work. Thank you for your patience, and please check our web site www.esseyepro.com for status updates about our office closure.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the ESS family and all of the residents of Idaho affected by these fires. Additionally, we hope that no firemen or other responders are injured while dealing with this crisis.

SOTech Staff Innovation Day

Sunday, August 18th, 2013

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As part of SOTech’s Innovation Development Program, CEO Jim Cragg had the entire office staff learn to design, pattern, cut, sew, and assemble some basic standard SOTech designs, and then each team member was encouraged to create their own design. Designers and sewing managers Veronica Areola, Brian Hilory and Juan Miranda led the class. More than 15 book keepers, shippers, graphic artists and customer service staff created their own dog harnesses, designer belts, pouches and day packs. Managers and instructors from SOTech’s sponsored Veterans work therapy program, Vets Corps (formerly VIPER), also attended. SOTech was recently approached as a model for a course on industrial innovation by California Manufacturing Training Corp, and SOTech holds 11 patents covering innovations in load carriage equipment. According to Jim Cragg, “Not only does this training involve our office staff in the creative mindset, but it also gives them an appreciation for the hard work that we ask our sewers to do on a daily basis.”

www.sotechtactical.com

Bulldog Equipment Statement Regarding Jason Simione

Thursday, August 15th, 2013

Industry Friends & Colleagues,

We’re saddened to read the recent news reports about Jason D Simione, President of Bulldog Equipment. As a company, Bulldog does not have any information on this case and does not wish to answer any questions related to Jason’s personal issues at this time. Thank you for your understanding.

Bulldog will run normally throughout this process and will continue to manufacture top rate products for our customers.

We appreciate your support through this and are keeping Jason and his family in our thoughts and prayers.

Very Respectfully,

Bulldog Equipment

Tom Kellim to Step Down from Top Post at Propper – Amy Coyne to Take Reins

Thursday, August 15th, 2013

This is some interesting news from Propper International. Tom has been the driving force there but I know that Amy is a great choice as successor. Congrats!

Effective September 30th, Tom Kellim has decided to step down from his position as President and CEO of PII Inc. Tom will transition into an Advisory role to the Chairman and will continue to support Propper in its key initiatives. We thank Tom for his dedicated service to Propper. His invaluable contributions have led the company toward growth and diversification.

I am pleased to announce that Amy Coyne will assume the role of President and CEO of PII Inc. Amy has acted as VP Global Supply Chain since starting with the company in February, 2012. Based on Amy’s contributions to Propper thus far, and her strong industry knowledge and experience, her leadership will help the Company maintain its reputation as a successful DOD Prime Contractor as well as diversify and expand into new product areas and markets.

We pride ourselves on providing our Customers and our Vendors with the highest degree of quality and service and this will remain our focus as we move forward. We thank you for your continued support as our business partners.

-Earl Weinman
Chairman of the Board
PII Inc.

www.propper.com

Bulldog Tactical CEO Jason Simione Arrested – Held Pending $5 Million Bond

Tuesday, August 13th, 2013

Right up front, you should know, Bulldog Tactical is a long advertiser on SSD. Bulldog Tactical CEO Jason Simione appeared in bond court Tuessday morning charged with three counts of attempted solicitation to commit murder, threatening to place an explosive device and child abuse. According to Fort Lauderdale’s Channel 7 news, he is being held pending a $5 Million bond.

The charges are pretty heinous against Mr Simione but I know he is going through a very contentious divorce. This may play heavily on what is transpiring. Regardless, I can assure you, this isn’t something I ever want to have to write about. As additional information is available, we will share it.

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.

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

Tuesday, August 13th, 2013

Dan GaddisABERDEEN, 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/

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.

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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.