Bates Footwear has just launched a new website specifically for the UK.
Archive for the ‘Industry’ Category
Bates Invades Britain
Tuesday, June 7th, 2011The Race to the Bottom
Tuesday, June 7th, 2011Every once in awhile we write about concerns with ways the Government is purchasing products and services from industry. Our latest issue is with the reverse auction craze, or as we like to call it, “The Race to the Bottom”.
It’s simple really. An Army unit wants to purchase 860 triple mag pouches. But…instead of just buying them, they decide to use a reverse auction. What’s that you might ask? Quite simply, a service provider makes money to run a sort of bizarro world version of eBay. Instead of vendors offering products and customers upping the bid in order to win the prize, a client posts a requirement and businesses try to underbid each other in order to “win”. It’s kind of like, “Name That Tune”, as in “I can make that at a profit of 3%”. A legitimate business can’t keep the lights on at that rate. Investment in R&D as well as using Berry compliant, Mil-Spec materials is too costly. Consequently, those who win may have problems delivering on time if at all, or building to spec. When this happens, Service members lose and so does the taxpayer.
Sure, it sounds great from the tax payers point of view, when it works. Pay less right? Well, maybe. The problem is that when a vendor under delivers, the equipment has to be purchased again. This wastes time and money.
What’s more, there’s no requirement to have a business history to win a reverse auction, nor is someone going to check and make sure the product delivered is actually what the customer ordered. They aren’t going to make sure it was Berry compliant or Made in USA either.
Is it possible for an unscrupulous vendor to win a reverse auction? Absolutely.
Is it possible for a unit to NOT get what they were looking for in the first place? Absolutely.
Does this practice hurt legitimate businesses who invest in R&D and follow the rules? Absolutely.
Should reverse auctions be abolished? You tell us.
One Week Til Blade Show
Saturday, June 4th, 2011Blade Show kicks off next Friday, 10 June with an early bird opening. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for me and Tactical Fanboy as we attempt to take it all in including the new Tactical Gear Expo that runs concurrently with Blade Show.
Held at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, Georgia June 10th to 12th, Blade Show will host more than 700 tables and around 175 factory booths and products.
Visit bladeshow.com for more information on the upcoming expos, including the event schedule and list of exhibitors.
Crye Precision is Hiring
Friday, June 3rd, 2011If you’ve dreamed of working for Crye Precision, then you just might be in luck. They’re hiring; hiring an Industrial Designer with at least 8 years of experience in product design and development, that is.
This is a full time salaried position in Brooklyn, New York and the duties include:
•Development, from concept through production, of high performance, highly innovative gear, clothing and protective equipment for the warfighter
•Design direction of multiple projects, which may be in-house efforts or government R&D programs
•Project management tasks include:
1) proposal development and report writing
2) project planning, including setting, meeting and evaluating milestones
3) labor and expense tracking
4) scheduling
5) preparing presentations and attending meetings
6) travel as required (<15%)
If you think you have what it takes, visit www.coroflot.com.
Blackheart International Celebrates Grand Opening of Phillipi Store
Thursday, June 2nd, 2011West Virginia Governor Early Ray Tomblin will be on-hand for Blackheart International’s Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony in Philippi, WV. The new retail outlet store is located three miles north of the historic Philippi covered bridge on Rt. 250/119 with the ceremony on Friday, June 3 between 12:00 and 1:00.
If you can make it, this is a great weekend for such an event. The grand opening coincides with the Annual Blue & Gray Reunion in scenic Philippi. The first land battle of the Civil War took place at Philippi on June 3, 1861 so this year’s reunion marks the 150th Anniversary of the Start of the Civil War.
Store hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. As a GSA Contract holder, Federal organizations able to purchase from the GSA schedule can do so at both the retail store or online.
Wild Things Announces Jordanian Contract and Partnership
Thursday, June 2nd, 2011Wild Things, LLC, a manufacturer of technical outerwear and tactical gear for both men and women, will design uniforms for the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) and enter the footwear business through a licensing agreement with the Jordanian Company for Manufacturing Special Boots.
WT Tactical will sell and market its own brand of tactical boots internationally. WT Tactical CEO, Ed Schmults, signed these two agreements Wednesday in front of HM King Abdullah of Jordan at the Jordan – U.S. Business Forum in Amman.
“This is a key part of our business strategy to expand in the international marketplace,†said Schmults. “It makes strong business sense for a number of reasons — the Jordanian government is stable, there is a high quality, low cost apparel manufacturing infrastructure, and finally, these new partnerships enable us to expand outside of Jordan into the region and more broadly around the world.â€
Utilizing WT Tactical’s extensive military apparel expertise, the Jordanian uniforms will feature enhanced fit and functionality, advanced fabric to enhance comfort across a broad range of temperatures and will provide a range of product options to meet the needs of the JAF. In addition, WT Tactical will begin production of a portion of its current military product line in Jordan for export to the international military community.
In addition, WT Tactical will begin to design, market and sell footwear for the international military and law enforcement community via a licensing agreement with The Jordanian Company for Manufacturing Special Boots at its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Jordan. WT Tactical has begun discussions with boot designers to begin work on a next generation boot that will include new phase-change impact absorbing foams and other technical design features.
The first apparel lines will be ready by late 2011 with the footwear following later in 2012.
5.11 Comes to the Tidewater
Thursday, June 2nd, 2011A new 5.11 Signature Store celebrates its grand opening this Saturday in Virginia Beach. The second of its kind in the nation and the first on the east coast, it is owned and operated by Tidewater Tactical. Think of it as a franchise. The store is locally owned and operated but all of the content is 5.11.
Truly a catalog come to life, you could walk into the store naked and walk out, equipped head to toe to perform most LE or associated tactical functions. Not to mention, they make a great pair of pants that are well suited for use by those in construction, utilities, and transportation. In fact, if you are hard on your clothes while at work or play, 5.11 is a good choice. Additionally, 5.11 offers a great deal of product for use by military personnel in addition to their new Fire/EMS line. What’s more, they are constantly expanding their product offerings.
Everything you see in their catalog will be available in the store and it is exclusively 5.11. In fact, it’s 2000 square feet of 5.11. The big plus here is that it is in stock; all sizes, all colors and you aren’t going to see any other brands mixed in there.
Nobody what they do for a living, everybody wears shoes or boots. 5.11 has a great cross section of footwear choices that will fit most any need: casual, steel toe, or duty.
What I’ve said here isn’t just some ad. I mean what I say. I remember about seven years ago sitting down with Bob Denny to take a look at what 5.11 was up to. I was already familiar with the pants as I owned a pair or two that were made by Royal Robbins. What impressed me at the time was what this new 5.11 brand was doing to spearhead the development of what eventually became the tactical clothing market. Today, 5.11 continues to impress me as they refine their current of products and delve into new areas, always mindful of how the products will complement one another. They’ve put a lot into this industry and for that they have earned my respect. There are a lot of folks wearing 5.11 and that certainly says something.
The new store is centrally located at 375 Independence Blvd near Virginia Beach’s City Center district. It lies across the street from Pembroke Mall and is right down Independence from Little Creek NAB. Visitors will find easy access from the Independence exit from 264 which also makes it convenient for many local LE agencies.
5.11 Tactical is interested in opening stores in other areas. To learn more talk to your POC at 5.11.
Stop in for their grand opening this Saturday, 4 June and mention that you read about the store on SSD and you will receive a 10% discount. LE and Military receive a regular 5% discount which essentially pays the tax on your purchase.
Milap – The New Indian Carbine
Monday, May 30th, 2011
In our article on the Indian Army’s Futuristic Infantry Soldier As a System (F-INSAS) we mentioned a new carbine that was on its way. It’s called Milap and according to a recent article in the Times of India, it should begin field trials soon. Named after the joint venture that developed it, the carbine comes from a collaboration between the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) and Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). There are reportedly 20 variants of the carbine with Defence sources claim the Milap will run about R50,000 per copy which is half of what an earlier consortium had quoted. We’re not too sure what is meant by 20 variants but we find it very interesting that the Indian Army is more interested in a carbine, more suited for CQB scenarios such as the Mumbai attacks rather than full length heavy caliber rifles for potential operations along the border with Pakistan.
