Grey Ghost Gear has updated the look of their website. I like the new look and it seems easier to navigate. They’ve also included an online digital catalog.
Archive for the ‘Industry’ Category
VELCRO Launches New Website
Thursday, April 5th, 2012VELCRO has completely revamped their web presence with a new, more intuitive site. Right off the bat, you are immersed in a new homepage that stimulates exploration of VELCRO product uses through a series of interactive scenes including:
• Home
• Office
• Classroom
• Outdoor settings
As you can see above, the content is organized by type and you are only a click or two away from the information you are looking for. Jurjen Jacobs, Vice President of Global Marketing gave this statement in a press release, “Global consumer research was conducted and management teams in every area of the business were consulted to develop sweeping improvements to the user experience. The site is one of the first showcases for the clean, modern visual style that is being implemented across all brand communications from digital media to packaging.”
While it’s not optimized for the tactical user, you might just end up finding a more appropriate product for your application than you used in the past so surf a round a little and see what they have to offer.
Source One CEO & President Mark Llano Attends White House Forum
Thursday, April 5th, 2012Source One Distributors, Inc CEO & President Mark Llano attended a half day forum on jobs and the south Florida economy co-hosted by the White House Business Council and Business Forward.
The forum featured high level discussions between senior White House and Administration officials and successful local area entrepreneurs focusing on national resources needed to grow the economy and create jobs in local markets. Nominated by the Small Business Administration to attend, Mr Llano joined other prominent south Florida business leaders at the United States Treasury Department to discuss what’s working in the Miami area and how the private sector and government can collaborate more effectively to foster greater opportunity, innovation, job creation, and, as the President said in his State of the Union address, “create an American economy that’s built to last.”
“I was honored to have had the opportunity to represent the state of Florida in our nation’s capital and meet with senior White House and Administration officials as well as my peers to discuss how to help the American economy grow,” said Source One President & CEO Mark Llano. “The entrepreneurial talent at this forum was very impressive; the state of Florida was well represented as the destination for small businesses in the United States!”
DSM Dyneema Appoint Atkins & Pearce Premium Distribution Partner
Thursday, April 5th, 2012DSM Dyneema has appointed Atkins & Pearce, Inc, a US-based supplier to the technical textile industry, as a Premium Distribution Partner for North and Central America and Mexico, effective immediately. Atkins & Pearce will market and distribute ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber manufactured by DSM Dyneema and provide customers in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Central America with application engineering expertise and technical services, including fiber enhancement capabilities. The company will play an active role in developing new markets for UHMWPE fiber and servicing existing markets, including a select number of customers currently supplied by DSM Dyneema. A similar distribution agreement in Europe was announced by DSM Dyneema in 2011.
“This strategic partnership with Atkins & Pearce marks the next step in DSM Dyneema’s efforts to supply and service the North American and Central American textile industries with sustainable and high-performance fiber solutions,” said Jeff Brule, regional manager, Americas, DSM Dyneema. “Customers will benefit from shorter lead times, value-added application development and technical services, and a higher level of collaboration that can help drive business growth.”
“We look forward to working closely with DSM Dyneema to meet the strong and growing demand for its high-performance UHMWPE fiber among customers in this region,” says Jeb Head, owner of Atkins & Pearce. “Our long history of expertise in textile braiding and other fiber technology, our customization capabilities and our proactive approach to service will help current and new customers leverage DSM Dyneema’s products to achieve a clear competitive advantage.”
This announcement is interesting news as the demand for PE products continues to rise. DSM has invested a great deal in increasing their domestic capacity to produce Dyneema. This looks to be a move to diversify their risk as military demand for Dyneema decreases. Although, Dyneema is the critical component in the Army and Marine Corps’ new Enhanced Combat Helmet.
UAW and Colt Agree to New Contract
Wednesday, April 4th, 2012According toe Colt Defense LLC press release, Local 376 of the United Auto Workers and Colt management have come to an agreement on a new labor contract with a two-year term. This new contract will replace one that expired on March 31, 2012 and which was in place for five years. Terms of the new contract were not disclosed.
The parties have been meeting since February to negotiate the new contract terms. The management negotiating committee presented their last, best and final offer to the union shortly before midnight on Saturday, just before an existing contract covering Local 376 workers expired. At a meeting with its membership at 10:00 on April1st the union negotiating committee recommended the contract’s ratification and approval and the membership affirmed it.
These measures averted the possibility of labor action at the Colt Defense manufacturing facility on New Park Avenue and allowed over 250 workers to return to work yesterday after a weekend of uncertainty. Management believes that the terms of the new contract will help make Colt Defense more competitive in the market while continuing to ensure high quality jobs for our employees.
Mike Mers Promoted to Sales Manager at AAC
Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012In a press release earlier today, Advanced Armament Corp., LLC (“AAC”), manufacturers of suppressors and developers of the 300 Blackout cartridge, announced that Mike Mers has been promoted to sales manager after having served since 2009 as inside sales representative.
In his new role as sales manager, Mers will be responsible for development and implementation of a strategic sales plan and overseeing key account managers, business development representatives and customer service representatives.
“Mike has been a key component of the sales department of AAC over the last three years and is an essential part of the company’s growth,” said Jay Bunting, vice president, distributor sales of Freedom Group. “His experience and in-depth knowledge of the product will help continue the rapid growth of AAC’s business in the future.”
If the firearms industry had a snappy dresser award, Mike would be a repeat winner.
Open Range Service Group Military Mountain and Cold Weather Workshop
Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012
In late January, Open Range Service Group coordinated the Military Mountain and Cold Weather Workshop, a two day round table workshop designed to bring together Military and DoD personnel with industry leaders in the area of military equipment for cold weather and mountainous operations. Held in Essex, Vermont the location is well known to those in military mountaineering circles. The forum of discussions provided insight on operational requirements based of lessons learned, current technology and future developments to support mission requirements and future needs. Topics covered ranged from advanced fiber technology and materials used for insulation in cold weather protection garments, individual mountain equipment to include stoves, sleep systems and lighting. A third day was dedicated to actual ice climbing training that utilized products discussed in the workshop briefings.
Denali Climb for the Fallen, 2nd Ranger BTN, Open Range Service Group from Marc Womack on Vimeo.
The conference kicked off with a presentation on the Denali Climb for the Fallen by members of the 2nd Ranger Bn and led by Open Range Service Group. This video is a synopsis of the ascent. The group summited Denali on Memorial Day of 2011. This key presentation really set off the tone of the entire event and while the climb was completed under training conditions, the environmental challenges faced by the crew were the same as in combat. This led to excellent observations on kit, nutrition, health and techniques. In later presentations, I was able to make direct correlations back to the initial address which was very helpful considering I had never undertaken a climbing expedition.
I attend a lot of seminars and trade shows and I have to say that this event was well worth my time. The subject matter was poignant and the speakers and attendees were a great mix. There was heavy attendance by military and industry personnel involved in mountain and cold weather ops. I was really impressed with the backgrounds of military and civilians alike and everyone added to the discussion but from different perspectives. While ultimately, everything is based on civilian climbing, different units adopt different techniques and gear at different speeds.
If you have the opportunity to attend one of ORSG’s events in the future, make sure you do it. I can’t think of many conferences where you can talk about new techniques and technologies and then try them out. If it’s even half as good as this one, you won’t be disappointed.
I want to give out a special thanks to my hosts Open Range Service Group and in particular, sponsor Primaloft.
Also, be sure to ask ORSG about their excellent performance t-shirts from New Balance commemorating the Denali Climb for the Fallen. Proceeds from sales of the shirts go to the Pointe du Hoc Foundation.
