Agilite’s Head Designer gets Married
Agilite’s Head Designer Lev Friedman tied the knot with his Fiance Adi in Israel today. They celebrated in His and Her’s K Zero plate carriers, one of the iconic products he designed.
Congrats to the happy couple!
OTTAWA, September 18, 2023 – Today marks the official launch of a new Canadian-owned and operated enterprise, BLOCKHOUSE, a leading global provider of equipment for military, Special Forces and Law Enforcement end users.
BLOCKHOUSE’s objective is to acquire and accelerate innovative equipment manufacturers to help establish the future of military and Law Enforcement equipment.
BLOCKHOUSE provides prospective companies the resources and leadership to expand their market share and generate long-term growth. They offer access to international distributor partners, marketing and design services and operational expertise to help companies optimize and expand into the global market. With years of experience working with leading manufacturers, distributors, and end users worldwide, BLOCKHOUSE is equipped to drive success and is looking for opportunities to expand their portfolio of brands.
“BLOCKHOUSE is rooted in years of industry experience with one goal in mind; to bring innovative leading-edge products to Law Enforcement and military end users,” said Mike Klein, Chairman of BLOCKHOUSE, “We have a vast understanding of the marketplace and a global network to take companies to the next level.”
Founded in 2022, BLOCKHOUSE is comprised of exceptional brands renowned for their innovation and quality. BLOCKHOUSE currently holds two companies under its portfolio:
WARQ, a manufacturer of protective helmets for marking and force on force training ammunition designed to protect and enhance training capabilities for Law Enforcement and military end users. BLOCKHOUSE acquired WARQ in 2023 to scale operations and launch into the North American Market. Read the case study here.
DEFILADE Protection Systems, manufacturers of the Discreet Deployment System (DDS), the next generation in personal protective equipment for law enforcement was acquired by BLOCKHOUSE in 2022.
BLOCKHOUSE has more than 40 global partners in 20+ countries, making up a robust international network of dealers and distributors. Additionally, a strategic partnership in Canada and the United States with RAMPART Corporation, a major supplier of operational equipment to military, Law Enforcement and armed agency end users.
For more information about BLOCKHOUSE, visit our website: blockhousecorp.com
Boise, ID – PWS (Primary Weapons Systems), a renowned manufacturer of high-end long-stroke piston systems for the AR-15, and 3D printed Titanium Suppressors, along with Lone Wolf Arms, the industry leader in Glock parts and accessories, proudly welcomes Aristotle Bartolome as the Senior Director of Marketing, effective September 5th, 2023. In his new role, Aristotle will spearhead the strategic direction of marketing, partnerships, e-commerce, branding, events, and SEO development for both esteemed brands.
Ari, boasting an impressive 15-year tenure in the tactical firearms sphere, brings a wealth of expertise encompassing sales, marketing, corporate event management, and business development. Over the course of his illustrious career, Ari spent 13 years at Rainier Arms, where he served as the Director of Marketing and contributed significantly to their growth. During this time, he cultivated extensive experience in retail, sales, and marketing, collaborating with over 400 brands and building a formidable network of industry professionals.
His most recent role as the Director of Marketing Strategies for Aero Precision further enriched his understanding of marketing and sales operations within one of the nation’s leading AR15 manufacturers. Ari was instrumental in overseeing E-Commerce technology development, SEO optimization, messaging strategies, ambassador programs, corporate event management, digital and print procurement, and strategic partnerships.
Reflecting on his new role, Bartolome expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I’ve had the honor of witnessing the remarkable evolution of these brands, from a compensator manufacturer to the powerhouse they are today. Even from an external perspective, I’ve always been an admirer of their brand and products. Throughout the years, I’ve built strong friendships with their dedicated staff, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work alongside them”.
COO Jason Curns expressed his excitement about Ari’s addition to the team, saying, “The entire team, representing both PWS (Primary Weapons Systems) and LWA (Lone Wolf Arms), is thrilled to welcome Ari as our Senior Director of Marketing. Ari’s extensive track record in this industry is indisputable, and his ability to elevate brand awareness and excel in various domains is truly remarkable. Personally, I’m incredibly excited to have Ari on board. With a longstanding history both personally and professionally, I know precisely what he’s capable of, and I can’t wait to see his impact.”
CEO Nate Treadaway added, “We are absolutely delighted to have Ari join our expanding team of industry experts. His unwavering passion for brand building is truly infectious, and we eagerly anticipate supporting his endeavors.”
For media inquiries, please contact:
Ottawa, ON – 911 Supply is excited to announce the grand opening of its newest retail store, located at 2194 Robertson Road, Ottawa, ON. 911 Supply, invites the public to join in the celebration on September 22 and September 23, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The grand opening event features an array of exciting activities and offerings for attendees, including giveaways, food, raffles, training sessions, and product demonstrations. Shoppers will also have the opportunity to enjoy exclusive discounts on major brands throughout the event.
911 Supply specializes in providing the latest, most innovative, and highest-quality equipment and apparel designed specifically for first responders and military end-users. With a commitment to excellence and a deep understanding of the unique needs of frontline professionals, the new Ottawa location promises to be a one-stop destination.
The new store features an open and immersive shopping experience in a spacious showroom, showcasing a wide range of products tailored to the needs of first responders and military personnel. The expert staff at 911 Supply is readily available to provide guidance and assistance to customers, ensuring they find the perfect equipment and apparel to meet their requirements.
“We are thrilled to open our doors to the Nepean community and beyond,” said Chrystal Duperron, Store Manager of 911 Supply. “Our team is passionate about serving those who serve our communities and our country. We invite everyone to join us during our grand opening event to experience the 911 Supply difference.”
For more information about 911 Supply and the grand opening event, please contact Chrystal Duperron at 613-721-5715 (Ext. 321) or via email at chrystal.duperron@911supply.ca. Also visit the 911 Supply web site for more information…
Steve duMont, GM Defense president, and James Kempston, CEO, NP Aerospace, signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the 2023 Defense and Security Equipment International tradeshow.
The MOU will allow our companies to develop cooperative research and development, post-production support, and in areas such as global logistics and sustainment for integrated vehicles, fuel cell, power generation, system integration, platform integration, and beyond. Read more about this important collaboration at the link below, and if you’re at DSEI, come see the Infantry Squad Vehicle in the NP Aerospace booth, Booth 5.
Galvion, a world leader in innovative head protection systems and power and data management solutions, has announced the establishment of a European Production Hub in Poland. Driven by Galvion’s ongoing successes in NATO and the wider European regions, the new facility will be based in Gdansk is expected to be operational by Q1 of 2024.
Galvion’s Polish investment plan was announced at a lunchtime VIP briefing in Gdansk on Friday 8th September 2023. This announcement coincides with the DSEI exhibition taking place in London, 12-15 September, where Galvion are exhibiting at booth H4-711.
Following recent consecutive contract awards for key European nations, Galvion is expecting to have close to 1.5 million helmets in service across NATO and other European countries by 2025. Galvion’s new Gdansk facility will initially house helmet finishing and assembly capabilities, in addition to critical support, maintenance, refurbishment, upgrade and training operations. The Gdansk location was chosen following a comprehensive search and assessment period, and the functionality of the facility is expected to expand through 2026 and beyond in order to support Galvion’s full product and solutions portfolio. Galvion’s existing core facilities in Canada and the USA will continue to design, develop, manufacture and service domestic, regional, and key global programs, customers, production and support requirements.
Jonathan Blanshay, Executive Chairman of the Board at Galvion said: “Today’s announcement represents a bold but necessary next step forward for the company. It is indicative of our commitment to delivering value for our global partners and programs, with an emphasis on responsible regional operations, as well as diverse through-life management, service and support opportunities. Getting our best-in-class protective and performance-enhancing equipment out to those who need it is our priority. By expanding our footprint to the European continent, we will be able to sharpen the focus of our manufacturing and support facilities around the world to enhance delivery, responsiveness, and supportability for all of our customers.”
He added, “We have been impressed by the Polish authorities’ receptiveness and assistance in our search, and we would specifically like to thank the office of the Marshal of Pomerania, the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, the Pomeranian Development Agency, the Gdansk City Council and the Regional Development Agency, Invest in Pomerania, for their ongoing interest and support.”
Halo International Limited is set to acquire shares of tactical equipment provider, Helix Operations Limited, through an agreement with Excalibur Ltd, reinforcing its commitment to enhancing its product portfolio and market presence.
Halo, owner of Brigantes Consulting Ltd, has recently confirmed an agreement for the acquisition of shares of Helix.
Halo is the parent company of on-the-soldier equipment provider, Brigantes Consulting Ltd. Combining decades of military experience with keen technical expertise and advanced industry awareness, Brigantes are the go-to specialist for on-the-soldier equipment. With a product range that spans apparel, footwear, vertical movement, signature management, technology, mobility, and sustainment. Founded in 2014 by ex-military personnel, Brigantes unites decades of military experience with advanced technical expertise, cementing itself as a trusted international supplier to NATO military, government, and elite police units. Through unique alliances with world-leading brands, Brigantes pioneers the latest, bleeding-edge equipment solutions in state-of-the-art soldier systems for every conceivable operational environment.
Tactical equipment and training provider, Helix is a Wales-based company that specialises in the provision of tactical mountaineering and climbing equipment. Helix provides the complete capability for vertical access and rescue in mountain, maritime and urban environments. With headquarters in the north Welsh mountains, Helix has over 30 years of experience in the supply of tactical climbing solutions. Their customer base includes the UK MOD and several NATO forces. In addition to the provision of expert equipment, Helix also provides externally accredited training programmes that incorporate best practices from industry and operational environments. Helix cooperates closely with teams to develop bespoke systems that are fit for purpose for tactical use – deploying quickly and discreetly and can work with incumbent military equipment.
Having worked together for several years, Brigantes and Helix are closely aligned in terms of product focus and customer base. This latest development represents a natural continuation of the longstanding partnership and a significant opportunity for expansion into global markets. Brigantes’ first-hand experience of military operations and on-the-soldier equipment solutions unite seamlessly with Helix’s acute understanding of tactical mobility systems, particularly in the context of vertical movement, rescue and mountaineering equipment.
Matt Williams, Halo International CEO, commented:
“Brigantes has worked very closely with Helix for many years on the provision of tactical equipment solutions and training for mountaineering and vertical access. Their expertise in this realm is unparalleled and so this agreement made complete sense and will enable us to move up a gear, enhancing our existing specialisms with even more bespoke knowledge and expanding our offering to worldwide markets.”
This acquisition represents a continuation of Halo’s strategic vision. By leveraging the international potential and unique tactical equipment and training expertise supplied by Helix, Halo will drive innovation and value for Brigantes’ military customers, further solidifying its position as an industry leader in the provision of on-the-soldier equipment.
The combined strengths of the Halo Group and Helix will result in a stronger, more diversified market presence, delivering exceptional procurement knowledge, robust testing capabilities and quality training opportunities for their customer base. This acquisition sparks huge potential for further growth and development for both entities, uniting specialised expertise and industry experience across adjacent sectors to deliver an enhanced offering for military customers across the globe.
Visitors to the Wyndham Weaponry site are met with this message:
It is with deep regret that we announce the closing of Windham Weaponry. Our website/online retail ordering system will remain active through Tuesday night, Sept 12. We will do our best to ship all orders this week and early next week. No credit card will be charged until the order is shipped.
Twelve years ago, when we started Windham Weaponry, our shareholders and longtime employees were excited to continue the traditions and spirit of Bushmaster Firearms, after the new owners decided to leave Maine.
We built WW into a company we could be proud of providing outstanding customer service, high quality products, as well as a great place for our dedicated employees to work.
The last few years have been a very challenging time for the firearms industry, and we have struggled to keep the WW dream alive for as long as possible. Unfortunately, we have not been able to meet our loan obligations with the bank after they worked with us as much as they could.
There was a glimmer of hope when we were negotiating with an investor to help keep WW alive and healthy, but that just fell through.
We have begun discussions with Keenan Auction Company to determine the best course of action for a full liquidation which should happen within the next month or so.
Our shareholders and employees truly appreciate your loyal support all of these years.
The company was created in 2012 using the old Bushmaster factory in Wyndham, Maine. Bushmaster was sold to Freedom Group (Cerberus Capital Management) in 2006 and had closed the plant a few years later. Bushmaster Firearms Industries, Inc is currently in business, headquartered in Carson City, Nevada.
