ABOUT US

Our military and manufacturing history dates back to the Vietnam era with the production of the M-65 field jacket in East Tennessee during the 1960’s. Despite the offshore trends of that time, the company continued to grow and prosper.

Nearly five decades later, Protective Apparel formerly Short Bark Industries has continuously grown with a track record for technical proficiency and quality-centric manufacturing processes – producing armor, apparel and accessories for the U.S. Military, Governmental agencies and law enforcement.

Today, Protective Apparel maintains its long-standing heritage by delivering innovative solutions for virtually any opportunity requiring leading edge, high capacity manufacturing capabilities. We have over 78,000+ square feet of manufacturing capacity with operations in Puerto Rico.

Equipped with the tools and skill-sets for industry-leading innovation, quality, durability and performance, Protective Apparel is committed to exceeding all expectations for consistent quality, service and on-time delivery.

ISO 9001:2008 Registered
ISO 9001:2008 specifies requirements for a quality management system where an organization needs to demonstrate its ability to consistently provide product that meets customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, and aims to enhance customer satisfaction through the effective application of the system, including processes for continual improvement of the system and the assurance of conformity to customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. All requirements of ISO 9001:2008 are generic and are intended to be applicable to all organizations, regardless of type, size and product provided.

Certified Berry Amendment Compliant
The Berry Amendment (USC, Title 10, Section 2533a), requires the Department of Defense to give preference in procurement to domestically produced, manufactured, or home grown products, most notably food, clothing, fabrics, and specialty metals. Congress originally passed domestic source restrictions as part of the 1941 Fifth Supplemental DOD Appropriations Act in order to protect the domestic industrial base in the time of war. The Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) was amended to include exceptions for the acquisition of food, specialty metals, and hand or measuring tools when needed to support contingency operations or when the use of other-than-competitive procedures is based on an unusual and compelling urgency.

On-Premises DOD Offices
The Department of Defense has an office in our facility for more efficient communications and project coordination.

UNIQUE POSITION
Not only are we certified Berry Amendment and ISO 9001:2015 compliant, we also hold dear our mission to provide a rich customer experience that exceeds all expectations for consistent quality, service and on-time delivery.

MILITARY PEDIGREE
Building to precise specifications with the latest, most durable materials for the protective tactical clothing, gear and accessories of today’s modern WARFIGHTER, we are equipped with the tools and skill-sets for industry-leading innovation, quality, durability and performance.

REPUTATION
A longstanding reputation for outstanding performance, technical proficiency, and quality-centric manufacturing approach.

RELATIONSHIPS
Unique and highly favorable relationships with key members of the value/supply chain give us favorable economies of scale and highly competitive price advantages.

LEADERSHIP TEAM
Highly flexible and knowledgeable leadership team with decades of combined experience in dynamic and flexible manufacturing environments, featuring the unique capability to readily scale manufacturing requirements.

CUTTING EDGE
In the "cut and sew" category, if a needle and thread are involved we can do it. We have complete automation capability where appropriate, hands on customizing when needed and quality control that cannot be beat. We have had only one warranty action in our over 25 years of business.

VERTICAL INTEGRATION
Our well-oiled vertical integration offers cradle-to-grave project/program development, management, execution and closeout services.

DOMESTIC BASE
On shore design, CAD (pattern, grading and marker making) and detailed fit engineering allow for extreme nimbleness and dynamic response when changes or requests come late in the pre-production process.

EXTENSIVE MIL SPEC EXPERIENCE
Deep experience in building to precise mil specs for hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts guides all that we do for the military, governmental agency, law enforcement, industry or for the consumer.

OFFSHORE WHEN NEEDED
We have all the offshore relationships necessary to bring cost advantages to any project allowing or requiring us to do so.

WE KNOW TRENDS
Our ear is to the track in all facets of head and body protection, even adventure/action wear for civilian use. As we move into consumer and personal use applications, we are perfectly positioned to understand the burgeoning military and tactical aesthetic that speaks to the adventurer/performance wear enthusiast whether close to skin, outerwear, accessories or anything in between.

What Do You Need? We Can Do It.
The following past performance examples are provided to feature our manufacturing capability as it pertains to a diverse and flexible manufacturing acumen, broad product portfolio, and the overall aptitude to successfully manage/execute simultaneous large scale customer demands:

Protective Undergarment (PUG)
We completed this contract with zero quality or delivery schedule deficiencies while manufacturing over 10,000 garments per week.

• Designed both the PUG garment as well as their removable ballistic inserts
• Awarded two separate contracts, one of which is a multi-year contract
• Added further value to another partner/competitor by offering our design within a subcontractor agreement

Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV) Soft Armor Inserts
Recently completed serving as a First-Tier subcontractor for an existing DLA body armor contract, implementing a manufacturing ramp schedule featuring the delivery requirement of over 1200 soft armor kits (front insert, rear insert, deltoids, groin, lower back) per week.

• Successfully attained First Article Testing (FAT) of a Generation II OTV Soft Armor solution at Aberdeen Testing Center (ATC)
• Internal/organic capabilities to develop, test, validate and manufacture US military-grade soft armor solutions are an immediate force multiplier for potential partnerships in a price-sensitive marketplace
• Optimal relationship with suppliers of soft armor insert raw materials enable us to be at the cutting edge of new generation IOTV solutions

Navy Security Forces Vest (NSFV):

• Awarded a multi-year contract with NAVSEA for the manufacture of NIJ 06, Level IIIA certified soft armor solutions
• Contract also includes the manufacture of tactical carriers to accompany the soft armor inserts
• Recently successfully passed FAT-evaluation; future delivery orders pending, once the NSFV program commences

Commercial and International Body Armor Requirements
With multiple NIJ 0101.06 Certifications, the proven ability to manufacture on time and with top-level quality, we have earned the trust of various customers & distributors for the sale of soft armor solutions (concealable and tactical vests) for the law enforcement and international community. We have the organic capability to manufacture soft armor solutions within the parameters of an OEM relationship, subcontractor relationship or as a direct / prime contractor.

Daniel Gaston
CEO
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Ivan Habibe
CFO
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Paulo Motoki
COO
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Michael Foreman
EVP Global Business Development
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Mark Edwards
EVP of Military Sales and Business Development
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Hoyt Schmidt
President of Commercial Business
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Scott Nelson
President of Gould & Goodrich
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Dan Costa
President of First Tactical
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Michael Archibald
President of The Protective Group
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Lisa Janke
President of Protective Apparel & Uniforms
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Shelby Carpenter
SVP Military Operations
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Daniel Gaston
CEO
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H. Hugh Shelton
Director General, USA (R)
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Brian L. Stafford
Director United States Secret Service (Ret)
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For over 43 years, Point Blank has been the industry’s leading innovator of advanced products and designs engineered to maximize ballistic protection. The Company has shipped millions of body armor solutions to America’s service men and women, law enforcement professionals, corrections officers, Federal agents, and other key national and international customers. These guardians of society require the finest in protective gear combined with the confidence that comes from knowing that Point Blank has never failed to protect.

Today, with an unparalleled record of success and service to its customers, Point Blank Enterprises has earned a global reputation in the development and deployment of the most advanced protective solutions. Point Blank’s values of integrity, teamwork and excellence are all focused on providing unmatched support and products to military, civilian, federal, and law enforcement professionals. More importantly, to those who wear Point Blank products while protecting society and our National Security, Point Blank means LIFE.

Point Blank Enterprises (PBE) has helped shape major developments in the body armor industry, spanning four decades. PBE has been the industry’s leading innovator of new products and designs engineered to maximize protection, becoming synonymous with superior technology, uncompromising quality and complete dedication to customer service. Our research and development efforts continue to produce lighter, thinner, more flexible, and higher performing ballistic packages while producing optimal standards for comfort and wearability.

Our unyielding commitment in delivering maximum-performance products which consistently exceed National Institute of Justice (NIJ), military, federal and international testing requirements is a testament to our superior quality standards. These standards transcend into every facet of our product evolution process, from the moment a new material is introduced to the rigorous testing procedures performed daily. At Point Blank, we never forget that our customers rely on us to protect their lives.