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Cerberus to Acquire DynCorp for $1 Billion Cash

Tuesday, April 13th, 2010

The ATK purchase of Blackhawk wasn’t the only merger in the news. According to an article by Nathan Becker in the Wall Street Journal, Cerberus Capital Management LLP is purchasing DynCorp International Inc. in a deal estimated at $1.5 Billion (yes, with a “B’). This includes a cash payment of $1 Billion and another $500 Million in debt assumption.

This is still not a done deal. DynCorp has 28 days to solicit alternative proposals from third parties, and the company said it “intends to consider any such proposals.” Additionally, it must be approved by shareholders who will receive $17.55 per share as well as federal regulators. Watchdog groups opposed to the merger claim that this move will bring the company private and less prone to oversight.

While DynCorp is not a manufacturer of Soldier Systems items they do provide a great deal of services to the US Government. You can hardly deploy to theater without running into them in one capacity or another. Of course Cerberus owns Tier 1 Group as well Freedom Group, a conglomeration of companies concentrating in the firearms and tactical business.

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ATK Purchases Blackhawk

Monday, April 12th, 2010

ATK has purchased Blackhawk Products Group for an undisclosed sum. (Whew, it’s nice to finally be able to say that after sitting on that story all weekend.) In a move that begs more questions than answers, ATK has purchased another of the major players in the tactical nylon industry. Almost a year ago they purchased Eagle Industries but with the purchase of BPG they also get a manufacturer of apparel, footwear, hydration, sleep systems, armor, and weapons accessories.

Cats and Dogs Living Together…while some might see Eagle and Blackhawk long rivals in the tactical industry, under the same corporate umbrella as a sign of the end times, it is not. Just interesting times.

So this obviously begs the question, will ATK consolidate these concerns or will they follow the lead of Armor Holdings, gobbling up companies and allowing them to continue to compete even under their umbrella?

In closing we would like to say, “Congratulations Mike!” and we look forward to seeing what this new future brings to ATK, BPG and the industry as a whole.

Tags: ATK, Blackhawk, Eagle Industries
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Army Seeks Small Business MOLLE Manufacturers

Thursday, April 1st, 2010

While the Sources Sought Notice came and went, the fact remains that the Army is considering seeking small businesses to manufacture MOLLE. Yes, businesses as they anticipate multiple awards. They are looking at a three year Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with one base year plus two option years. This means that the government will set minimums and maximums for a contract year and will place orders as they are needed and within those limits. Option years are awarded at the discretion of the government based upon need and performance.

For example, the government proposes a maximum base year consisting of production of 50,000 MOLLE Rifleman sets, 50,000 Tactical Assault Panels, 50,000 Medium Rucksacks, 50,000 Hydration Systems, 5000 Grenadier and SAW sets, 10,000 Pistol sets, and 2000 Medic Sets.

One issue that the Sources Sought puts to rest is whether we would see a new solicitation for the still under development Medium Rucksack which just recently finished phase I testing at Fort Knox. Medium Rucksack will become a component of MOLLE and produced under that contract. The Army hopes to begin fielding as early as July for use in Afghanistan.

The sources sought notice contains a great deal of info for those interested in MOLLE and is worth the read.

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SpecOps Warfighter Expo East 2010

Sunday, March 28th, 2010

We are only a few weeks out from the 2010 SpecOps Warfighter Expo East held at Fayetteville, NC’s Crown Expo Center April 13-16. Like last year it will be held in conjunction with the annual Special Forces Branch Symposium. The expo is open at no charge to all active duty, active reserve, law enforcement and government personnel. However, there is a fee for attendance by industry.

For more information or to register, visit DefenseTradeShows.com.

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Introducing NET TAC

Thursday, March 25th, 2010

Larry Vickers has long been interested in offering a one-stop resource for those who want to purchase is signature products as well as those that he uses himself. With his demanding training schedule it was a project that had to stay on the back burner. However, he recently teamed with Duke Creative, a company earning a well deserved reputation for excellence in developing e-commerce solutions for tactical companies.

“I’ve been wanting to start an e-commerce site for a while now and have never had the opportunity to do so. Now that I’ve partnered with a webmaster knowledgeable in tactical gear, he agreed to start and manage the store for me; a no-brainer situation considering the success he’s brought to other e-commerce websites,” said Larry Vickers, renowned tactical trainer.

Net Tac is up and running and featuring products from Blue Force Gear, Daniel Defense, EOTAC, and TangoDown.

www.NetTac.com

Tags: Larry Vickers
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Vltor Drops Magpul Suit

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010

Vltor Weapons Systems has announced that they have reached an amicable agreement with Magpul and are dropping the patent infringement suit filed last October according to an Vltor press release. Vltor went on to further state they are happy with the settlement that fully protects their interests but that further details would not be forthcoming.

Tags: Magpul, Vltor
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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

Posted in Industry, weapons | 1 Comment »

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.

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