Western Protective Solutions Compass: Leading the Charge in Emergency Response
1ST ED., VOL. 2
Has a recent emergency highlighted the need for better first responder protection? In this issue of the Western Protective Solutions Compass, we'll explore how our technological advancements are revolutionizing emergency response and firefighter safety. Discover how Western Protective Solutions is leading the charge in creating a safer world for firefighters, first responders, and communities everywhere. Dive deep with us as we explore the latest trends and challenges in these fields. We'll also unveil some exciting new product releases and share updates on our impactful partnership with Connected Lane County. Together, our brands work to create a safer world. Here's what we've done this quarter.
Western Shelter: Field Hospitals and FEMA Training
Western Shelter is a leading provider of customizable emergency response and disaster relief shelter solutions, dedicated to meeting the unique needs of its clients with a focus on quality and adaptability.
Quarterly Highlights
Our May deployment training for the UC Davis field hospital, a joint purchase with Travis Air Force Base, was a resounding success! Both customers were incredibly impressed with the functionality, durability, and ease of use of our shelters, support systems, and hygiene centers. They've planned a follow-up training in August at Travis AFB to showcase Western Shelter's solutions to other entities.
Our team proudly attended FEMA's USAR Logistics Course training on both the West and East Coasts. Training directors praised Western Shelter and expressed their eagerness to continue our collaborative partnership for years to come.
Industry and Market Insights
Customer conversations have revealed valuable insights. Many clients are expressing dissatisfaction with their current lightweight, rapid deployment shelters, yearning for a more durable option. The good news? They highly value Western Shelter's reputation for quality and standards. This opens an exciting door for us to develop a lighter-weight, dependable shelter that deploys quickly – under 6 minutes, to be exact!
Challenges Overcome
With a packed calendar of conferences, summits, and trade shows in Q2, the Western Shelter sales team had their hands full. However, through meticulous pre-planning and collaboration with the Marketing Department, we ensured a successful and impactful presence at each event.
CrewBoss: PFAS-Free Turnout Gear Gets UL Approval
CrewBoss is a leading provider of high-quality personal protective equipment (PPE) tailored for firefighters, specializing in Wildland, Structural, Tech Rescue, and Station wear firefighting gear.
Quarterly Highlights
We're thrilled to announce that our PFAS-Free Structural Turnout Ensemble has successfully passed all testing requirements at UL! Final data review is underway at UL, paving the way for an advancement in firefighter safety. CrewBoss is also honored to receive the Conservation PPE Program contract award. This program ensures firefighters have access to the most up-to-date equipment, further solidifying our commitment to keeping first responders safe.
Industry and Market Insights
Ongoing research into PFAS properties is leading to the development of alternative moisture barrier options for firefighter turnout gear. Due to this, there has been an emergence of PFAS-Free Moisture Barrier options. This advancement represents a critical step forward in firefighter safety, and CrewBoss is firmly committed to its exploration and integration. As several manufacturers are anticipated to enter this space by Q3 2024, with continued momentum projected into 2025, CrewBoss is actively evaluating these advancements. Our dedication remains the same: to provide the emergency responder community with the most effective solutions that prioritize both optimal performance and the well-being of firefighters. We look forward to collaborating with the industry as we navigate this new landscape.
Challenges Overcome
At CrewBoss, we're constantly striving for improvement. This quarter, we embarked on an initiative to enhance production efficiency. We're pleased to report an increase in production rates, allowing us to deliver life-saving PPE faster. This ensures you receive the equipment you need when you need it.
Air Rover: Introducing the Next-Gen XLP120
Air Rover specializes in designing and manufacturing advanced, durable climate control units, focusing on innovation, environmental compliance, and customer needs in challenging environments.
Quarterly Highlights
We're proud to unveil the all-new beltless XLP120! This new design streamlines efficiency and enhances reliability compared to its predecessor. The XLP120 delivers outstanding spot cooling in various environments, making it a versatile choice for your cooling needs. It offers optional electric heat for added comfort, and its portability is enhanced by easy transport wheels and remote control capability. Choose from various standard cooling configurations or customize the output and power to meet your requirements. The XLP120 is optimized for use with current and future refrigerants, ensuring long-term reliability.
Industry and Market Insights
While the global political climate can present challenges, Air Rover is actively monitoring potential impacts. Fortunately, none of our current projects are affected by geo-political conflicts around the world. However, we acknowledge the potential disruption some industries may face due to supply chain issues.
Challenges Overcome
Environmental stewardship is core to Air Rover's mission. As the industry transitions away from R-407C refrigerant, our dedicated research and development team is actively exploring new solutions. We're pleased to announce that several existing Air Rover designs can now be equipped with AIM Act-compliant refrigerants, ensuring continued performance and environmental responsibility.
Robert Technologies: Leveraging Partnerships for Strategic Growth
Robert Technologies specializes in providing high-quality power distribution units and connectors, leveraging strategic manufacturing partnerships to meet the exacting needs of its end users.
Quarterly Highlights
RTI proudly unveiled its first-ever shelter panel Power Distribution Unit (PDU) and Spider Box for the shelter industry. This innovative launch reinforces our position as a leader in power solutions for deployable structures. Following a surge in demand from the defense electrical systems market, RTI is capitalizing on a key industry trend. With competitors shifting production overseas, RTI's commitment to US-based manufacturing offers a distinct advantage. Our rapid domestic production allows us to deliver products to customers significantly faster, exceeding their expectations.
Industry and Market Insights
The future looks bright for RTI as the markets we serve experience significant growth. The Commercial Power Connector Market boasts a projected Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 2.6% over the next five years, while the Defense Electrical Systems Market is expected to see a growth rate of 5.2% during the same period. We are strategically positioned to capitalize on these trends and deliver innovative solutions to meet the growing demand for reliable power distribution.
Challenges Overcome
At RTI, we have embraced the Growth Zone philosophy: setting ambitious goals, finding purpose in our work, conquering objectives, and achieving dreams. This approach fuels our constant improvement and drives us to overcome any challenge.
Serket: Adapting to Evolving Markets
Serket is a provider of tactical and protective gear for military and law enforcement, focused on delivering high-quality, adaptable solutions to meet the critical demands of frontline professionals.
Quarterly Highlights
Serket continues to forge strong relationships with new law enforcement all across the United States and foreign military clients. Expansion into diverse markets broadens our presence, mitigating dependence on a single sector and fostering revenue stream stability. This strategic approach strengthens Serket's position and allows us to share our expertise with a wider range of partners, ultimately contributing to a safer global environment.
Industry and Market Insights
While domestic labor shortages continue to impact production and material lead times, Serket sees an opportunity to strengthen our position on the market. We're focusing on the growing needs of law enforcement, unique first responders, and foreign military clients. Geopolitical instability drives the demand for near-shore production and sourcing in these sectors. This allows Serket to offer quicker, more predictable, and cost-effective solutions, removing barriers to entry in these exciting markets.
Challenges Overcome
The industry continues to face domestic production lead-time challenges due to labor constraints. Rising raw material costs and unreliable lead times further complicate cost of goods sold (COGS) calculations. To address this, Serket has successfully diversified its customer base. By strategically targeting clients eligible for Trade Agreements Act (TAA) compliant materials and production, Serket has effectively reduced costs and lead times for finished goods.
Western Design & Fabrication: Investing in Efficiency
Western Design & Fabrication is a dynamic company specializing in custom metal design and fabrication services, known for its adaptability, commitment to innovation, and dedication to Military & Defense and Commercial industries.
Quarterly Highlights
We're excited to announce the successful installation and training on our new deburring machine. This investment has already increased our deburring capacity by 50%, allowing us to expedite project timelines and meet customer needs more efficiently. We're happy to welcome a new, highly skilled machinist to the WDF team. Their expertise has already streamlined processes and boosted production, positioning us for even greater success in the coming months.
Industry and Market Insights
We're aware that the metal fabrication market has experienced a slowdown recently with a drop of 0.9 percent growth so far in 2024. By proactively addressing our own internal efficiency and acquiring top talent, WDF is in a strong position to weather any market fluctuations. We're confident that our commitment to quality, speed, and continuous improvement will allow us to not only meet customer needs but also exceed expectations.
Challenges Overcome
Like many in the metal fabrication industry, WDF faced a temporary hurdle this quarter due to personnel changes. To address this challenge, we outsourced machining tasks to four reliable vendors, ensuring project continuity.
Community and Social Impact
This quarter, we were excited to once again partner with Connected Lane County, a local nonprofit dedicated to empowering underserved youth. We had the privilege of hosting an intern who spent a week gaining valuable experience in our Western Shelter product development department. The intern then transitioned to the Western Shelter mobility team for two weeks to learn about our ongoing mobility initiatives.
The contributions in both departments were valuable. To further strengthen our partnership, we also hosted a tour for Connected Lane County in May, fostering deeper connections and opening doors for future collaboration. We look forward to continuing our work with the organization and exploring new opportunities to give back to our community.
Until Next Time
At Western Protective Solutions, we believe in the power of innovation to make a real difference. This quarter, we've seen countless examples of how our dedicated teams push boundaries and develop solutions that keep communities safe. We invite you to join us on this journey. Learn more about the WPS family of brands, and subscribe to our individual brand newsletters for exclusive industry insights and product updates. Together, let's build a safer future.