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Posts Tagged ‘Blackhawk’

Blackhawk! at SHOT Show

Friday, January 14th, 2011

We received Blackhawk!’s 2011 catalog a couple of weeks ago and to be honest, we are impressed. It’s hard to believe that they are able to introduce as many products as they do, year after year.

One of the products we are happy to see hitting the streets this time around is the High Performance Fighting Uniform (HPFUâ„¢). BLACKHAWK! is now offering a version of it without their patented I.T.S. â„¢ (Integrated Tourniquet System) called the HPFU Slick. This woks out great for those who don’t need the added security of tourniquets day-to-day.

Additionally, they are offering an updated version of the standard HPFU with a more streamlined I.T.S. ™. A single tourniquet is pre-positioned in the axillary area of each arm and the apex of the thigh of each leg for immediate activation by self or buddy-aid to stem blood loss in an emergency. Both are available in Black, Olive Drab, Desert Digital, and MultiCam® (yep, Blachawk is on the MultiCam wagon big time).

In addition to the HPFUs look for new athletic wear, station house uniforms for fire and EMS, clothing, updated versions of popular clothing designs and a whole slew of nylon gear.

Visit BLACKHAWK! at SHOT Show in booth #11971/12271 Level 2

Hot Off the Press: Extreme Outfitters First in US to Offer Blackhawk Gear in MultiCam

Friday, December 3rd, 2010

We just heard about this this morning and it’s pretty exciting news for Blackhawk! fans. BPG introduced a range of products in MultiCam in Europe earlier this year. In the interim, the Army adopted the pattern as the operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern. Consequently, Extreme Outfitters politiced to bring those products here in the US as well. In stock now.

THE ONLY PLACE IN THE COUNTRY
BY ERIC STEINKOPFF
EXTREME OUTFITTERS STAFF
JACKSONVILLE, NC – All eyes are on the Brynn Marr Shopping Center on Western Boulevard this week as hundreds of the latest Blackhawk! MultiCam items arrived.
“We’re the first ones to get it – the only place in the country,” said Extreme Outfitters store manager Marion Plocica. “There are 2600 items – between 50 to 100 of each of a select group of products.”
The shipment includes pouches, packs, patrol belts, drop-leg platforms, medical bags, sniper drag bags and shooting mats – just to name a few. The gear in the new MultiCam camouflage pattern is so fresh from the factory that there aren’t many photographs of the original items available.
“It’s so new the manufacturer doesn’t even have pictures yet,” said Extreme Outfitters marketing director Chris Evans.
These are all in such high demand with a rapid military deployment schedule due to all the action in Afghanistan, that VIP customers can use their traditional 10 percent discount alone, but not in conjunction with any other specials.

According to Plocica, the gear is fresh for the holidays and in keeping with the spirit of Christmas, as U.S. troops keep American interests safe miles away from home and far from their families.

For more information on the latest gear for the military, law enforcement, search and rescue personnel or for the hiking and camping enthusiast, visit www.tacticaledge.com.

Blackhawk Founder Mike Noell Announces Retirement

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

Blackhawk Products Group founder Mike Noell recently announced his retirement as President of Blackhawk Products Group. Based on his experience in the first Iraq war with gear that gave out, Mike decided to start a business that would design and manufacture reliable individual equipment. Soldier Systems Daily has known Mike since he founded the Hampton Roads-based Blackhawk almost 20 years ago and we cannot think of anyone else who has been as successful at developing as enterprising a marketing schema nor widespread brand recognition. In fact, he parlayed that success into Blackhawk’s recent acquisition by ATK. While we are sorry to see him go, Mike has always been a builder and an innovator so we don’t expect him to stay idle for long. We look forward to seeing where he directs his energy in the future. Congratulations Mike and family!

ATK Industry Days

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

Wow, now this I file under interesting, the first Official Open Invitation event since ATK purchased Blackhawk is fast approaching. They have scheduled an Open house on board the US Training Center, (formerly Blackwater) bringing ATK, Blackhawk, and Eagle out for all to see, touch, and talk about. This not just about nylon. ATK is a huge ammunition conglomerate and they will offer ballistic gel shoots as well as Force on Force demos. Naturally, the latest Blackhawk and Eagle gear on hand with 8 ATK personnel to answer questions. SSD will be on hand so stay tuned for our follow up report for those who can’t attend.

ATK Industry Days

Blackhawk Ergonomic Duty Belt Harness

Friday, June 11th, 2010

Designed to answer a Department of Justice requirement for a load carrying solution to help alleviate the large numbers of lumbar injuries suffered by law enforcement officer, Blackhawk developed the Ergonomic Duty Belt Harness. Designed to transfer the duty belt’s burden from the hips to the shoulder, it is also compatible with body armor. The idea is to share the load balancing it more between the hips and shoulders. In order to take full advantage of the harness, the duty shirt will need to be slightly modified with small buttonholes on the sides to accommodate the straps. The ergonomic duty belt harness is available in two sizes; small/medium and large/x-large.

www.Blackhawk.com

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.

Blackhawk for Sale

Sunday, February 7th, 2010

Rumors have swirled for some time that Blackhawk Products Group has been for sale. A recent article by “The Deal Pipeline” confirms this. Brazos Private Equity Partners LLC was seeking to purchase the company but Blackhawk withdrew from negotiations over pricing issues last Thursday. The deal was to be financed with an estimated $80 million debt package provided by GE Capital Corp and Chicago’s Madison Capital Funding LLC, with a $20 million mezzanine debt piece from Golub Capital. Wachovia Securities (owned by Wells Fargo) has been serving as Blackhawk’s financial adviser and seeking buyers for the company.

This indicates two things about Blackhawk; how much the market feels the company is worth and the fact that Blackhawk doesn’t agree with this assessment. Over the last year the soldier systems industry has experienced numerous buyouts with manufacturers such as Eagle Industries, Tactical Assault Gear, and OTB Boots going to larger companies who are using the purchases to foray into this market.

Top 3 Soldier Systems Shockers – 2009

Thursday, December 31st, 2009

There were three major shockers this year and all happened over the last few months.

1. Blackhawk’s Serpa is New SOCOM Holster – After a Natick sponsored shoot off at the US Training Center in Moyock, NC, the Blackhawk Serpa was chosen as the new holster component for SOCOM’s series of Load Carrying System (LCS) Kits.

2. Army Adopts KDH Plate Carrier – In fact, KDH wins every major armor contract in the latter half of 2009. After a GSA-based solicitation KDH was chosen to provide the US Army with 57000 Soldier Plate Carriers the first of which are to be fielded in January for use in Afghanistan.

3. UK Releases Multi Terrain Pattern – With a little help from Crye Precision the MoD adopted a new pattern blending the color scheme of MultiCam with the feel of DPM.