JACKSONVILLE, FL – January 20, 2015 – The Safariland Group (“Safariland”) is pleased to announce the acquisition of Atlantic Tactical, Inc. (“Atlantic Tactical”), a leading distributor of equipment and uniforms for public safety professionals.
Acquired in 1987 by John and Karen Conville and headquartered in New Cumberland, PA, Atlantic Tactical outfits law enforcement and public safety officers with life-saving equipment and apparel via its five retail stores in the north eastern U.S. as well as direct and e-commerce sales. Atlantic Tactical began doing business with Safariland in 1989 and became an exclusive Safariland armor distributor in 1995.
Scott O’Brien, Safariland’s President, commented: “Safariland’s long-term strategy is underscored by our product-driven orientation: we believe in the power of brands and innovation. We believe equally in the power of distribution to communicate with and serve our valued agencies and end-users. Safariland strives to foster a culture of teamwork and partnership with all of our stakeholders, including our associates, our vendors, and our customers.”
Mr. O’Brien continued, “Our approach has always been, and will continue to be, to support distribution in each local market. Our preferred marketing areas, dealer of record programs, and exclusive arrangements are all designed to ensure that, at a local level, the partners doing the work with the agencies will perform the business. The future of our business will be characterized by an omni-channel approach through which we invest in our brands to support our independent distribution partners as well as our own distribution.”
Sean Conville, President of Atlantic Tactical, along with his management and sales teams, will continue to run Atlantic Tactical and day-to-day operations will remain unchanged. As President of Atlantic Tactical, Mr. Conville will report to Sean McCarthy, Vice President of Strategy at Safariland. Meanwhile, Safariland will continue to maintain its other operations in the northeast, including its regional sales team dedicated to supporting other distribution partners in that area of the country.
“I’ve worked with Safariland for a long time and this transaction is an excellent outcome for Atlantic Tactical’s stakeholders and provides a compelling strategic fit for our future,” said Sean Conville, who also previously served as President of the Distributor Advisory Council for Armor Holdings, Inc. Safariland’s former parent company. “We are excited to have Safariland’s financial and strategic support to help Atlantic Tactical continue to grow and expand as we have for the last several years.”
Adding Atlantic Tactical to its portfolio furthers Safariland’s effort to continually grow relationships with distribution partners and pursue acquisitions aligned with its mission of “Together, We Save Lives.”
