When dealing with operational equipment two things are very clear; gear and technology run into maintenance and obsolescence challenges. For procurement officers a good strategy is to find smart products and tech that works well and reduces the need for continual upgrades while anticipating shortfalls in budgets.
Buying strategies typically include keeping costs low while procuring the necessary goods and products at the best quality. Whether used for training or real world deployment, products fall into every department’s rotational cycle. Buyers seeking equipment for a mission might face barriers such as timelines, insufficient funds, etc. However, buyers who diversify their “product portfolio” with a variety of products find they have more control over cost, quality, functionality and durability in the long run.
ADS, Inc., gave Spotterup.com a peek into this year’s Federal Range Day where 100+ vendors gathered to show off hundreds of products. If the scale of this even was any indication of what Warrior Expo East is going to be like, attendees can expect a massive show come July 2017. Federal Range Day clearly had the goods on display, and a wide selection of it. Here are a few vendors that caught our attention:
Matbock: Founded by Navy SEALs, Matbock provides novel military equipment including search and rescue (S&R) tools and equipment to serve our military not seen in other markets. We were most impressed with their Berserker Minimalist Carrier. It’s always good to see quality kit. This unique carrier is constructed out of their MATBOCK Ghost and Ghost Lite fabric, weighs in at a light 14 oz, and has pockets to hold a variety of plate cuts. There is simply nothing else like it out there.
London Bridge Trading (LBT): LBT continues their outside-the-box thinking when crafting nylon gear and the results is highly coveted products. The U.S. military and Federal, State and Local Law Enforcement agencies are just some of the groups they count as solid customers. The LBT representative stated to us they learned to keep the overall design of their bags the same for buyers who wanted different configurations. This is an interesting strategy in nylon development. It is sure to give users an ability to change out the panels and thereby give them a near custom product for each mission.
NOMAD: I was able to sit inside Nomad’s Tactical Command Vehicle (TCV). Their TCV is scalable, versatile and adaptable to C4ISR operations. Nomad Global Communication Solutions provides custom engineered specialty vehicles and communication platforms. They are designed and engineered to provide interoperable communications via mobile access to voice, video and data services over cellular, radio and satellite systems. The TCV has all-terrain capability, on the move workstations, unified command operations and much more. Vehicles interiors, like the interior I sat in, can be custom made for search and rescue (S&R) operations or SWAT command and coordination. Imagine how effective this vehicle would be for departments faced with another 9/11 or Hurricane Katrina.
Advanced Detection: While on the subject of vehicles it was interesting to observe the LowCam Under-Vehicle Inspection Solution (UVIS) from Advanced Detection. The LowCam and UVIS is simply a safer solution to doing perimeter security. Personnel should have the tools they need and the features and benefits of this system in foreign military installations, nuclear facilities and government buildings are just a few places they are located. It is an excellent tech-tool that will supplement simpler yet effective detection tools such as working dogs and under-vehicle inspection mirrors.
S&S Precision: S&S Precision continues to impress users by developing and manufacturing ingenious tactical gear. Their rigid, modular, minimalistic plate carrier is unlike any other on the market. Clearly the look, feel, and performance of these products were engineered smartly and required necessity to build a ‘better mousetrap”. Their Nav Boards for night time parachute operations are the best and allow users to carry their smartphone/tablet/GPS devices horizontally or vertically.
Atlantic Signal: Atlantic Signal has a long history of producing specialized communications devices. They offer custom, tactical headset systems for users to exchange information without losing signal strength. Their customizable configurations can be tailored for any condition whether the user is working under water or above ground.
Sorinex: Sorinex makes strength training equipment and weightlifting gear for professional athletes and top tier military operators. The Sorinex Ductile Iron Kettlebells are bells are made with a high-grade ductile iron that’s stronger than standard casting.
“Outside the Bell” thinking
Outdoor Research: Outdoor Research continues creating a robust lineup of fabric technologies that are water resistant, light-weight, durable, and effective in many climates and conditions. Their gear simply performs in extreme applications and daily rugged usage as evidenced by their Infiltrator Jacket. They create apparel that is highly breathable, strong and elastic so it works with your body.
ADS, Inc., continues to bring product diversity to the market place by seeking out the best suppliers that in turn gives buyers a great selection to choose from. Whatever your buying strategy is be sure to look into the alliances ADS builds with it key suppliers. It isn’t enough to just keep prices low.
Finding a wide range of products for your mission will bring you and your team success each time. We felt the show had an optimum mix of vendors with enough appealing products to ensure any team mission success. Be sure to check out ADS, Inc.’s massive show called Warrior Expo East. It takes place this July 13 and 14 in Virginia Beach, VA and will have much more products to see.
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