GORE-TEX Professional - AWICS

Archive for the ‘Industry’ Category

Numrich Arms Purchases Charles Daly

Sunday, March 21st, 2010

According to information from Numrich Arms, they have purchased KBI lock, stock, and barrel and should have a handle on inventory by May. Unfortunately, KBI closed its doors in January after, shall we say, having been over come by events. They always held a great reputation, importing numerous firearms from a variety of manufacturers. Their latest coup was to have been the Tavor. Unfortunately, if it is the object of your desire you are going to have to wait a bit longer while someone else finalizes a deal to sell the rifle.


www.gunpartscorp.com

Integral Designs Sold

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Canadian-based Integral Designs has been purchased by Equip Outdoor Technologies Ltd. the parent company of Rab USA. Integral Designs is a manufacturer of technical outerwear and equipment and is well known in the outdoor industry and has some niche followers in the military mainly concentrated in the SOF community under the Integral Tactical brand. Integral Designs will remain an independent brand under Equip Outdoor Technologies while sales support, warehousing, marketing direction and other administrative functions relating will be transferred to Louisville, Colorado. The Calgary-based plant will continue to manufacture Integral Designs products until mid-2011.

Evan Jones and the current team at Integral Designs will continue to own and operate the Calgary-based manufacturing center where they will manufacture specialized non-consumer products for government and institutional accounts under the Integral Tactical brand.

So the commercial side of ID was sold and the tactical brand will remain.

McDonald v. City of Chicago

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

Below is a transcript of arguments in Supreme Court case McDonald v. City of Chicago. The decision in this case is likely to affect the US firearms industry and by extension, the US small arms industry and is presented purely for informational purposes.

McDonald v. City of Chicago Transcript 030210

BAA for Warfighter Developmental Protective Clothing and Devices

Monday, March 1st, 2010

If you’ve got a great new widget that fits any one of the categories below then Naval Air Systems Command at Pax River wants to hear about it. What’s great about a Broad Agency Announcement is that they last all year so it’s easy to make the deadline and are intended to cast a wide net in search of solutions for issues facing a command. There aren’t any pesky requirements that you have to meet. They want to hear about your good ideas and see if they fill any of their capability gaps.

(1) protection against G-induced loss of consciousness, loss of situational awareness, spatial disorientation, and high altitude hypoxia; (2) micro / nanotechnology applicable to life support and protective devices; (3) protection against hypothermia / hyperthermia; (4) auxiliary or integrated human cooling and heating systems; (5) integrated helmet mounted displays, multi-mode helmet vision system technology; (6) advanced filter / device development for eye and / or sensor protection; (7) warfighter / equipment compatibility; (8) breathing systems and advanced concept approaches for current and future applications; (9) crash protection, advanced restraint systems (all axes of restraint), accelerative loads reduction and seating concepts; (10) emergency egress / escape concepts such as but not limited to improved signaling / locating, thermal signature reduction, and day / night cloaking technologies (11) integrated communications systems; (12) hearing protection and communication capabilities in high noise environments (13) integrated floatation systems; (14) human strength enhancement technologies; (15) garment textiles / materials, flame resistant / melt-proof fibers, webbings, water-proof, high-stretch, breathable fabrics, durable, malleable, lightweight conductive-network fabrics, low-bulk / high flexibility vascular compression mechanisms for acceleration protection, fast-response cooling / heating textiles; (16) crew / workstation design; (17) lightweight, portable power sources, recharging and scavenging technologies, and (18) other personal protective technologies.

As you can see this pretty much runs the gamut of Soldier Systems as well as some aviation technologies. If you think you’ve got what they need you will need to submit a white paper. Check out the entire solicitation at www.fbo.gov for further guidance.

Submitted Without Comment

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

Wiggy's Newsletter

“In connection with Snugpak Limited Company’s defamation lawsuit against Wiggy’s Inc. and Jerry Wigutow, in Broward County Circuit Court, we are informing you that the matter has been amicably settled and we have withdrawn all references to Snugpak. Wiggy’s apologizes to Snugpak for any inaccurate information which appeared on the website or for any harm any such inaccurate information may have caused.”
Wiggy’s Newsletter Nov 2009

SOFEX Announced

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

Planning for SOFEX is in full swing. In its eighth year, SOFEX will be held at the King Abdullah I Airbase in Amman in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. SOFEX is held biennially under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II, the Chairmanship of HRH Prince Feisal Bin Al Hussein and with the full support of the Jordan Armed Forces (JAF).

SOFEX 2010 is a four-day event that kicks off with a one day conference that includes a series of comprehensive and topical seminars delivered by top military officials from around the world, tackling a wide range of issues pertinent to current counter terrorism and homeland security issues. It also features a great trade show. For more information visit www.sofexjordan.com

L-3 to Acquire Insight Technology

Saturday, February 20th, 2010

L-3 Communications announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Insight Technology Incorporated (Insight). Insight develops and manufactures night vision and laser aiming and illumination devices. Headquartered in Londonderry, New Hampshire, Insight employs approximately 1,100 people. The purchase price was not disclosed and will be funded with cash on hand. However, according to Business Wire, “Insight is expected to generate approximately $290 million of sales for the twelve months ending December 31, 2010. Before giving effect to the present value of tax related benefits of the transaction and expected synergies, the purchase price represents a multiple of approximately nine times estimated 2010 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA).”

It is anticipated that Ken Solinsky, Insight’s founder and president, will become president of L-3’s newly created Warrior Systems Sector. He will report to James W. Dunn, senior vice president and president of L-3’s Sensors and Simulation Group. The Warrior Systems Sector will include Insight as well as L-3’s existing electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) businesses currently addressing the warrior systems market and will be reported in L-3’s Electronic Systems segment. As you may remember, in 2007 L-3 purchased Eotech, producers of holograraphic gunsights. Based on this information it is a safe bet that the Eotech line will be moved into the Warrior Systems Sector. It will be interesting to see how this affects Insight’s line of Red Dot Sights.

www.L-3com.com
www.insightlights.com

DRIFIRE Donates FR Shirts and Blankets to Haiti

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

Responding to a call for aid to earthquake damaged Haiti from the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), DRIFIRE has assisted the Kids in Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.) organization by shipping approximately 1,650 comfortable FR shirts to be distributed to two orphanages.

“We’ve worked with the AAFA and K.I.D.S. in the past, donating more than 500 garments during the relief effort after Hurricane Katrina. We’re happy to join them in supporting orphans in Haiti with our products. Our donations may be a tiny piece of the overall relief effort, but we wanted to be involved and we’re excited for our chance to directly impact these orphanages,” says Kim Scarbrough, Executive Assistant at DRIFIRE, who is leading the company’s efforts in Haiti.

The flame retardant shirts sent in DRIFIRE’s first shipment feature moisture wicking and antimicrobial technology that is crucial for staying dry and comfortable in humid, warm climates. The second shipment will include rolls of raw fabric made of soft, comfortable material in response to the strong need for blankets. The fabric also features antimicrobial technology, cutting down on germs and odor. In addition to blankets, the fabric can be used to make clothes, tents and other garments to help keep the children protected and comfortable.

DRIFIRE isn’t stopping there. They plan to continue helping the orphanages on a long-term basis as more products become available for shipment in the coming weeks. Additional aid will be spread among the communities in Haiti as needed.

“Everyone at DRIFIRE is eager to contribute to helping the people in Haiti. From warehouse employees working overtime to get products shipped, to the executive team coordinating with AAFA and K.I.D.S. to make this all happen, we’re thankful and proud to be part of such a generous, hard-working company. Working together is crucial in these times of need, and we hope that our efforts will encourage and inspire others in the FR apparel and safety industry to donate high quality, life-saving products to those who need them,” says Scarbrough.