Safariland
| Founded | Sierra Madre, California, United States |
|---|---|
| Founder | Neale Perkins |
| Headquarters | Jacksonville, Florida |
| Website | https://www.safariland.com/ |
Safariland, LLC is a United-States-based major designer and manufacturer of equipment for sporting, military, law enforcement, investigation and public safety personnel, formerly a division of BAE Systems, Inc. a subsidiary of the United Kingdom-based defence and aerospace company BAE Systems PLC.
History
The company was founded in Sierra Madre, California in 1964 by Neale Perkins, following his father's request for a custom holster. He named his new company after the African safaris he and his father took together.[1]
In 1996, American Body Armor and its shareholders joined forces to form Armor Holdings, a diversified holding company with three manufacturing sites. Over 11 years, Armor Holdings acquired various brands in the law enforcement industry, including Safariland.[2]
In July 2007, BAE Systems acquired Armor Holdings, forming the BAE Systems Products Group of which Safariland was a part. In August 2008, its products were launched under the name Safariland.[3]
In May 2012, BAE Systems announced that Safariland would be sold to an acquisition vehicle affiliated with Kanders & Co., Inc.; sale was finalized at the end of July 2012 for US$124 million.[4]
In December 2015, Safariland acquired Lawmen's Safety Supply Inc., which is distributor of law enforcement equipment and uniforms, started out of Raleigh, North Carolina.[5]
Products
Safariland manufacturers a wide array of products in the law enforcement space, but only markets a small number of them under the Safariland brand name. The majority of products are sold under other brand names that were acquired when the company became a part of Armor Holdings.
Products includes holsters, duty gear and restraints under the Safariland and Bianchi brands. Body armor is sold under the American Body Armor, Second Chance, SAVVY and PROTECH brands. Brands of firearms accessories and cleaning kits are B-Square, SpeedFeed, Kleen-Bore and BreakFree. Protective gear, such as riot helmets, shields and protective police gloves, and sold under the Hatch and Monadnock brands.[6]
Less lethal munitions and chemical OC, CN and CS sprays and foams are sold under the Defense Technology brand. A field narcotics testing line of products is produced under the NIK Public Safety and ODV brands, as well as consumable supplies for forensics and investigation personnel under the Forensics Source and Projectina brands.[7]
References
- ↑ Smith, K. (1966). "Safariland Holsters". American Rifleman. National Rifle Association: 101.
- ↑ Barnett, Cynthia (October 1, 2012). "Safariland". Florida Trend – via HighBeam Research (subscription required) .
- ↑ "Warren Kanders to Buy Safariland from BAE Systems". Manufacturing Close Up – via HighBeam Research (subscription required) . August 2, 2012.
- ↑ Clinton, Michael (July 30, 2012). "Safariland sale finalized for $124 million"". Jacksonville Business Journal. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
- ↑ "Safariland makes major East Coast acquisition". Biz Journal. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ Wagner, Scott W. (22 October 2009). Own the Night: Selection and Use of Tactical Lights and Laser Sights. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. p. 97. ISBN 1-4402-0371-7.
- ↑ Laska, Paul (April 1, 2008). "Shot Show 2008: a report for the forensic and technical investigator". Law Enforcement Technology – via HighBeam Research (subscription required) .