This time, we find the KCRF patch at the grand opening of MD-Textil, a belt factory located in Southern Germany. SPARTANAT wrote up coverage of the belt produced by the company.
Keep ’em coming!
You Never Know Where They’ll Show Up
July 29th, 2015Tactical Intent – Mykel Hawke Arrowhead Set
July 28th, 2015
The Mykel Hawke Arrowhead Set is composed of five unique hunting tool accessories inspired by the cultures Mykel Hawke encountered during his service with the Armed Forces. The tools are made of black oxide coated stainless steel, featuring hollow ground edges for sustained sharpness, and can be used for numerous hunting techniques including spear hunting, trapping, and fishing. Additionally, the set comes with a small storage pouch.
tacticalintent.com/mykel-hawke-arrowhead-set
Bravo Company – BCM KeyMod Rail Panels
July 28th, 2015
BCM KeyMod Rail Panels are ultra-slim surfaces with aggressive non-slip and non-reflective texturing. Ventilated for cooling, each panel is radiused to create a continuous “tube” surface when run on an octagonal profile handguard such as the BCM KMR.
Made in the U.S.A. of a high-strength polymer material, BCM KeyMod Rail Panels are designed to fit ALL KeyMod mounting surfaces with seven (7) consecutive KeyMod slots. However, the panels can also be cut to any length, as needed by an end user. Finally, the panels are bi-directional with locking tabs on either end.
Each Kit contains five (5) matching color KeyMod Panels, and are available in Black, Flat Dark Earth, Wolf Grey and Foliage Green.
Beyond Clothing – A5 Rig Jacket Light
July 28th, 2015
The A5 Rig Jacket Light is a new product in the Beyond Clothing line, a lightweight alternative to the standard Rig Jacket. Designed for active use in warmer weather, the Rig Jacket Light is composed of Tweave Durastretch with DWR, which makes it breathable yet water and wind resistant.
Features
The A5 Rig Jacket Light is available in Coyote and MultiCam, sizes SM – 2XL.
www.beyondclothing.com/a5-rig-light-jacket
Vista Outdoors Has Agreed To Acquire CamelBak Brand
July 28th, 2015Vista Outdoors has agreed to acquire the CamelBak brand from Compass Diversified Holdings for $412.5 million. The full release can be read below:
CLEARFIELD, Utah, July 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Vista Outdoor Inc. (NYSE: VSTO), a leading global designer, manufacturer and marketer in the growing outdoor sports and recreation markets, announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire CamelBak Products, LLC. CamelBak is the leading provider of personal hydration solutions for outdoor, recreation and military use. The company’s products include hydration packs, reusable bottles and individual purification and filtration systems.
The CamelBak acquisition will strengthen and expand Vista Outdoor’s presence in outdoor sports and recreation, with products that complement every outdoor activity where Vista Outdoor’s products are used. The acquisition will provide Vista Outdoor with another highly recognized and well-respected brand that is a preferred partner to leading retailers. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Vista Outdoor anticipates closing the transaction within the next month.
“The acquisition of CamelBak greatly advances Vista Outdoor’s strategy to grow and strengthen our leading position in the outdoor recreation industry,” said Mark DeYoung, Vista Outdoor Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “CamelBak fortifies our presence in the mainstream individual outdoor recreation market, creating an opportunity to increase the scale, reach and growth of several current offerings through an expanded global sourcing capability and a broadened retail distribution network. With limited overlap between our key customers, this acquisition creates significant cross-selling opportunities, increased channel presence and access into expanded domestic and international markets. As a market leader and preferred partner, Vista Outdoor can leverage the technical expertise of CamelBak to deliver innovative solutions and quality product offerings that will create value for our shareholders and customers.”
Under the terms of the transaction, Vista Outdoor will purchase CamelBak for $412.5 million, subject to a customary working capital adjustment, utilizing cash on hand and borrowings under its existing credit facilities. Management expects calendar year 2015 net sales for CamelBak of approximately $160 million. The purchase price includes an approximate net present value of $35 million in future tax benefits associated with the deductibility of intangibles from a prior acquisition of CamelBak. The purchase price, net of the previously mentioned tax asset, represents a resulting effective multiple of approximately 11x CamelBak’s expected calendar year 2015 EBITDA. Vista Outdoor intends to refinance the expected borrowings under its credit facilities with long-term debt financing. Pending such financing, Vista Outdoor has received a commitment to provide $50 million of secured debt financing from Morgan Stanley, which the company does not at this time intend to draw upon, but which provides additional flexibility pending completion of long-term financing. Absent transaction and transition costs, Vista Outdoor expects the acquisition to be accretive to Fiscal Year 2016 (FY16) earnings per share (EPS). Vista Outdoor will provide information relating to CamelBak’s impact on FY16 financial results as part of its first quarter earnings press release and webcast on August 13, 2015.
“CamelBak is enthusiastic about the opportunity to join the Vista Outdoor family of brands,” said Sally McCoy, CamelBak CEO. “Their successful platform will accelerate CamelBak’s growth as a global brand. Vista Outdoor supports our mission to continue to reinvent the way people hydrate and perform through innovative hydration products.”
Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Petaluma, California, CamelBak is the category creator for hands-free hydration and meets the needs of diverse consumers with a comprehensive product portfolio. CamelBak has an expansive network of marquee customers ranging from REI to Target. CamelBak has approximately 300 employees and will be integrated into the Outdoor Products segment of Vista Outdoor, increasing the scale of the business and reinforcing a culture focused on delivering high-quality, technologically advanced products.
CamelBak is a subsidiary company of Compass Diversified Holdings (NYSE: CODI), an owner of leading middle market businesses headquartered in Connecticut.
Morgan Stanley serves as transaction and financial advisor and Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP serves as legal advisor to Vista Outdoor in connection with the transaction.
TacJobs – SilencerCo – Graphic Designer
July 28th, 2015
Job Description
SilencerCo has an immediate opening for a graphic designer. We offer a “work hard, play hard” environment full of perks that are unique to the firearms industry. You must be comfortable handling and being around firearms on a regular basis. Knowledge of firearms and suppressors is a plus but not required.
Our designers work on a variety of in-house design collateral across all mediums including print, web, and interactive design. Designers will produce material that is consistent with our company’s brand and support the goals of the marketing department.
Daily Responsibilities
Requirements
Must have current portfolio.
Compensation: Salaried DOE, full benefits, 401K
Employment Type: Full time, 40+ hours per week
Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
Experience: 1-2 Years
Interested parties may contact jsmith@silencerco.com.
Marines Choose Kestrel as Scout Sniper Ballistic Computer
July 28th, 2015Kestrel Weather & Environmental Meters has been selected by Marine Corps System Command to provide the material solution for the Scout Sniper Ballistic Computers (SSBC) program.
“Kestrel has proudly supported Marine Corps Scout Snipers with rugged environmental meters for more than 15 years, starting with the original Kestrel 4000 Weather Tracker, through to the Kestrel 4500 with Applied Ballistics selected on this contract,” said Nielsen-Kellerman (NK) CEO Alix James. “We are constantly working to develop solutions that make our warfighters more effective without weighing them down with unnecessary gear. We are honored that this selection confirms that we’re building what our soldiers need.” NK is the manufacturer of the Kestrel Weather & Environmental Meters.
U.S. Representative Patrick Meehan (PA, 7th District) said, “The Marine Corps’ decision is great news for our warfighters. And ?having visited the Nielsen-Kellerman facilities in Boothwyn, Pennsylvania, and met the hard-working men and women who create this innovative product, the Marine Corps announcement is good for jobs and growth in Pennsylvania as well.”
The Kestrel 4500 with Applied Ballistics is a 4-ounce, hand-held meter that combines accurate wind, direction, temperature, pressure and humidity readings with a built-in advanced ballistics calculator and bullet performance database. The Kestrel outputs elevation and wind holds calculated for the precise weapon, round and target characteristics, allowing snipers to put first shots on target at 1000 yards and beyond.
The 887 Kestrel meters purchased will be supplied in a complete field support kit containing the following:
• Desert Tan Kestrel Applied Ballistic ITAR Tactical Unit
• Screen Protection Kit
• Pelican 1015 Black Case
• Mystery Ranch Molle Soft Case
All Kestrel Weather Meters are designed and built in Pennsylvania, and the Kestrel Kit selected for this contract award is fully Berry Amendment and BUY American Act compliant. Broader adoption of the Kestrel with Applied Ballistics is anticipated as other services are presently evaluating its performance and capabilities.
This contract award will be supplied by long-time authorized Kestrel resale partner, ADS, Inc., a primary vendor under the Defense Supply Center Special Operations Tailored Logistics Support (TLS) Program.
Reminder – Obama Administration Moves To Restrict ITAR Related Free Speech
July 28th, 2015Back in June, we reported on a recent proposed rule change to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) which, according to the Federal Register website would:
…amend the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to update the definitions of “defense article,” “defense services,” “technical data,” “public domain,” “export,” and “reexport or retransfer” in order to clarify the scope of activities and information that are covered within these definitions and harmonize the definitions with the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), to the extent appropriate.
This rule change would expand the definition of what digital information could be classified as ITAR restricted, including but certainty not limited to the firearms industry.
One aspect of these proposed changes that was implied but not blatantly addressed is the restriction it could place on 3D printed firearms and components. Technical data including “blueprints, drawings, photographs, plans, instructions or documentation.” would become restricted from “export”, or being published on the internet, which includes 3D printer files for firearms and components. We’ve already seen a restriction on 3D firearms plans when Defense Distributed was told to remove the plans for the Liberator Pistol from their website.
But what can I do?
You can comment. This rule change hasn’t taken effect yet and you can let the Federal Government know how you feel about this proposal by providing feedback.
If you are going to do so, we suggest these pointers:
We suggest you use your own voice, keep it civil, direct and to the point, and use proper grammar to be most effective. Do not use a form letter. They carry less weight than individualized comments.
