Point Blank Enterprises ("PBE"), known for its body armor and related protective solutions, has entered into a joint venture in Mexico with Protactic, a 100% owned Mexican company, specializing in the development, manufacture, and commercialization of a wide range of garments and accessories. Protactic is a proven leader in the Mexican market, providing equipment to the law enforcement and military sectors.
This joint venture brings together two industry leaders with complementary strengths in manufacturing, product development, sales, and marketing, and will immediately provide Mexico and Latin American markets with access to the best and safest body armor solutions available today, according to the companies. With combined industry experience of more than 130 years, the companies will share resources, best practices, and R&D initiatives, to bring to market the latest generation of ballistic carriers, soft armor, and hard armor systems.
Protactic by Point Blank has created a best-in-class manufacturing facility in Mexico and will produce products for military, law enforcement, and other sectors of the security industry at this new site. The plant will operate with 100 employees in its first year, with aggressive plans to expand to up to 500 employees over the next four years, based on customer requirements and industry needs. Products currently manufactured in the United States by Point Blank Enterprises can also be purchased through Protactic by Point Blank with the same quality, certifications, and advanced technology, since items will no longer have to be imported. Furthermore, this facility is believed to be the only manufacturing plant in Latin America that complies with worldwide standards.
"This is a major development for our Company and an even bigger one for military and law enforcement agencies throughout Mexico and the Latin American markets," said Michael Foreman, Executive Vice President of International Business Development, Federal Sales and Marketing at Point Blank Enterprises. "While we sell into these international markets today, we will now have the manufacturing wherewithal to produce in-country, which will in turn lower both production and shipping costs. The end-customer is ultimately the one who will benefit the most, as they will have access to the most innovative ballistic, hard and soft systems we sell."
Mr. Foreman continued, "In Protactic, we have a partner we know and trust as we've enjoyed a strong working relationship for the past two years. They will provide the skilled workforce, specialized machinery and infrastructure needed to ramp up production, and will ensure the same commitment to quality assurance and on-time delivery that Point Blank is known for, is adhered to. We look forward to working with them over the coming years and meeting the requirements of a large and growing market."
Luis Paramo, head of New Business Development for Protactic added, "With the manufacturing capabilities we now possess, Protactic by Point Blank will have an installed capacity that can fulfill all of the Mexican market needs for ballistics. As we ramp up production, add to our workforce and continue to jointly expand our customer base, we believe this facility can be the chosen production site for many of Latin America's markets, such as Colombia, Chile, Peru, and Brazil, among others. Point Blank is a proven leader in protective solutions and the largest provider of body armor systems in the U.S. and supplies its solutions to many of our customers as well. Together, we have an opportunity to equip Latin America's Armed Forces and Police with the very best life-saving solutions. This is a win for us all."
About Point Blank Enterprises, Inc.
Point Blank Enterprises, Inc. ("PBEI") is a provider of high performance protective solutions, including bullet, fragmentation and stab resistant apparel, and related accessories. Through its key brands, Point Blank Body Armor, Protective Apparel Corporation of America (PACA), Protective Products, and PARACLETE, the Company's ballistic solutions have been credited with saving countless lives for the most important customers in the world, including the U.S. Armed Forces, Department of Defense, Federal Government and law enforcement, corrections and security personnel, both domestically and abroad. For more information, visit www.pointblankenterprises.com.
About Protactic
Protactic is a 100% Mexican Company, known for its development, manufacture, and commercialization of garments, uniforms, badges, shoes, and accessories with an integrated solution and traceability technology in all of its products. For more information, visit www.protacticsecurity.com.
