For those of you that missed the 2012 Special Operations Forces Industry Conference, or, like us, spent the entire time covering the show floor, the briefing slide decks are available for your perusal.
www.dtic.mil/ndia/2012SOFIC/2012SOFIC
Archive for the ‘Industry’ Category
2012 SOFIC Proceedings
Wednesday, July 11th, 2012ADS Inc Announces Major Personnel Changes
Tuesday, July 10th, 2012Nothing shocking in this press release from Virginia Beach-based ADS Inc, but the moves are significant nonetheless. Congratulations to all!
ADS Tactical, Inc., a leading provider of value-added logistics and supply chain solutions specializing in tactical and operational equipment, announced executive management changes today that are designed to strengthen the company’s leadership team.
Jason Wallace has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer replacing Dan Clarkson. Mr. Wallace has served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for ADS since 2006 and was responsible for managing the entire ADS sales team. Prior to that, Mr. Wallace served as the Vice President of Inside Sales and Vendor Relations and Vice President of Operations.
“Along with attracting world-class talent from outside the company, one of our top priorities is growing the existing ADS leadership team,” said Luke Hillier, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ADS. “This promotion is well deserved and day-to-day operations will be in good hands with Jason at the helm. Jason has been a key contributor to our success and we look forward to his continued leadership.”
Brant Feldman has also been promoted to Vice President of Sales. Mr. Feldman was our Director of Business Development serving our Navy, Marine and Special Operations customers. Prior to that, Mr. Feldman managed our Navy Sales Team during which he oversaw tremendous growth. Mr. Wallace calls Mr. Feldman, “a smart, tenacious salesman who has been and will continue to be a tremendous asset to both our sales force and ADS as a whole.” “I will be relying on Brant to continue to drive sales and to identify and capture new opportunities for the company going forward,” said Mr. Wallace.
ADS also announced today the hiring of Karan Rai as Director of International and Strategic Business Development, effective July 31, 2012. Mr. Rai will spearhead our international business development strategy and will focus his efforts on reaching new customers and markets around the globe. Mr. Rai comes to ADS from JP Morgan, where he served as a Vice President in the Investment Bank.
“Karan brings energy and experience to our business, and we are thrilled to have him join the team,” said Luke Hillier. “Karan is an incredibly talented executive with broad industry experience. I look to Karan to create solid partnerships internationally and to bring great growth opportunities to ADS.”
ADS further announced today that William A. Roper, Jr., ADS’ President and Principal Financial Officer and a member of ADS’ Board of Directors, is retiring from ADS and will return to his home in La Jolla, California to manage his investments and other business interests.
“I have enjoyed my association with ADS tremendously,” said Mr. Roper. “Luke Hillier, Dan Clarkson, and the entire ADS team have created a powerful company with excellent products and services that assist the men and women in uniform completing their important mission each and every day. During my tenure, we added independent members to our Board of Directors, successfully established a ‘public company’ governance and financial reporting infrastructure, and created a new organizational structure to deal with the challenges and opportunities in the markets that we serve.”
“I want to warmly thank Bill for his commitment to ADS and his contributions to our success, including helping to significantly strengthen our financial reporting and internal controls,” said Luke Hillier. “Bill has gained the respect and appreciation of everyone here at ADS, and while we will miss his day-to-day contributions, we are pleased that he will continue to be a valued member of the ADS extended family.”
Dan Clarkson will replace Mr. Roper as the President of ADS. Mr. Clarkson has been the Chief Operating Officer of ADS since 2002. Mr. Clarkson is a member of the Board of Directors and a shareholder of the company.
Patricia Bohlen, ADS’ Chief Financial Officer since 2004, will assume Mr. Roper’s duties and responsibilities as Principal Financial Officer.
“Pat has been an outstanding leader within the finance organization for many years,” said Luke Hillier. “She has a great understanding of the financial drivers of our business and will continue to develop our financial infrastructure.”
Mr. Hillier will continue as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ADS.
Source: PR Newswire
Arc’teryx LEAF & Deliberate Dynamics Support 2012 24-Hour Sniper Adventure Challenge
Monday, July 9th, 2012The 2012 24-Hour Sniper Adventure Challenge is coming soon. It will be held 27-29 JULY 2012 at SniperCountry in Washakie, Box Elder, Utah. It’s a grueling two-day competition that challenges competitors through a series of physical, mental and tactical problems.
Arc’teryx LEAF has teamed up with Deliberate Dynamics as a Gold level sponsor in support of the event. Look for them onsite.
competition-dynamics.com/24-hour-sniper-adventure-challenge-2012
New Branding for Velocity Systems
Monday, July 9th, 2012
Velocity Systems has just released this new logo on Facebook. They’ve also announced that they are licensing the Helium Whisper technology from Blue Force Gear. We wonder what else they’ve got in store.
Dieter Rams’ 10 Principles of “Good Design”
Saturday, July 7th, 2012Good design:
Is innovative – The possibilities for innovation are not, by any means, exhausted. Technological development is always offering new opportunities for innovative design. But innovative design always develops in tandem with innovative technology, and can never be an end in itself.
Makes a product useful – A product is bought to be used. It has to satisfy certain criteria, not only functional, but also psychological and aesthetic. Good design emphasizes the usefulness of a product whilst disregarding anything that could possibly detract from it.
Is aesthetic – The aesthetic quality of a product is integral to its usefulness because products are used every day and have an effect on people and their well-being. Only well-executed objects can be beautiful.
Makes a product understandable – It clarifies the product’s structure. Better still, it can make the product clearly express its function by making use of the user’s intuition. At best, it is self-explanatory.
Is unobtrusive – Products fulfilling a purpose are like tools. They are neither decorative objects nor works of art. Their design should therefore be both neutral and restrained, to leave room for the user’s self-expression.
Is honest – It does not make a product more innovative, powerful or valuable than it really is. It does not attempt to manipulate the consumer with promises that cannot be kept.
Is long-lasting – It avoids being fashionable and therefore never appears antiquated. Unlike fashionable design, it lasts many years – even in today’s throwaway society.
Is thorough down to the last detail – Nothing must be arbitrary or left to chance. Care and accuracy in the design process show respect towards the consumer.
Is environmentally friendly – Design makes an important contribution to the preservation of the environment. It conserves resources and minimizes physical and visual pollution throughout the lifecycle of the product.
Is as little design as possible – Less, but better – because it concentrates on the essential aspects, and the products are not burdened with non-essentials. Back to purity, back to simplicity.
Good News for OP Tactical Customers
Thursday, July 5th, 2012News from OP Tactical –
OPT would like to announce a new shipping policy today that takes effect immediately:
$5 Shipping on all UPS Ground to the Lower 48 States.
THIS IS NOT A HOLIDAY PROMOTION, THIS IS A POLICY CHANGE.
Simple, and to the point. In Today’s economy, we find it necessary to pass on savings to the consumer in as many ways as possible. Many of our products have regulated pricing that we cannot sell below. We sell most items as inexpensively as possible, and now we are taking that one step further to decrease the pinch on your wallet.
Major Announcement Regarding A-TACS Camouflage Fabrics
Tuesday, July 3rd, 2012A-TACS Camo and Schott Performance Fabrics announce a virtual ONE STOP SHOP for A-TACS Camo fabrics and Trims; also expands A-TACS Camo fabric printing to Duro Textiles
Due to high demand and to assist smaller manufactures who do not require large quantities of production fabric, Schott Performance Fabrics is now set up to take orders and distribute less than Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) on all A-TACS AU and A-TACS FG Camo fabrics. For domestic and international manufacturers requiring larger quantities of fabric, the ordering process will remain the same, simply contact Denise Barrick by phone toll free at: 877-720-4545 or by e-mail at: dbarrick@schottfabrics.com
Manufacturers or individuals not requiring large amounts of fabric for their project, will be now able to order fabric directly from Schott fabrics in quantities as small as five yards.
As an added feature, Schott will also be including A-TACS AU and A-TACS FG printed webbing and A-TACS AU and A-TACS FG printed loop to their product offering creating a virtual ONE STOP SHOP for A-TACS Camo fabric and A-TACS Camo printed trims. When ordering fabrics, you will now be able to order printed webbing and loop at the same time.
The ordering system will be implemented in two phases. For phase one pricing and availability, simply contact Andy Raynor or Bryan Merrick at Schott Fabrics by phone toll free at 877-720-4545 or by e-mail at araynor@schottfabrics.com , or bmerrick@schottfabrics.com.
Phase two, which will follow shortly after phase one, will include an online ordering component designed to make fabric purchases simple and hassle free. The user will simply set up an account, provide appropriate shipping and billing information, make a fabric and/or trim selection and place the order.
Additionally, due to increasing demand for more options, Schott Fabrics announces that they have now enhanced their offering to include A-TACS Camo fabrics vat printed at DURO Textiles. Duro joins Hampton Textiles, who will also continue supplying quality A-TACS Camo Fabric.
For more information about Schott Fabrics please visit www.schottfabrics.com or, the manufacturers page at www.a-tacs.com.
Emergency Workers and Firefighters Battling Colorado Fires Receive Support from Outgo
Tuesday, July 3rd, 2012We want to salute our friends at Outgo for their support to emergency workers fighting the Colorado fires. Outgo shipped dozens of Ultra Compact Microfiber Towels and Waterless Wash to firefighters battling the wildfires. In addition, Outgo will also send emergency water filters from its sister brand, Aquamira.
“Outgo is committed to taking care of the people who serve the greater good and take care of us,” said David Wiggs, vice-president of marketing at Outgo. “As these heroes work around the clock to help save the citizens of Colorado, their homes and our wild places, it is only fitting that we support them as best we can.”
Outgo personal care products were developed for the military to keep users clean, rested and ready so that they could perform at their optimum level in any type of situation. The microfiber towels and Waterless Wash included in the Outgo line give emergency workers the opportunity to bathe with limited resources. Outgo has shipped over $3000 in towels and Waterless Wash to a local JRS Army and Air Force Exchange Service representative who will distribute the items to volunteer firefighters housed in a shelter at FT Carson.
“This is our way of helping keep some of those hard-working firefighters better rested and more refreshed,” said Wiggs.
