Boston, Dec. 17, 2009 – The leading companies in the Personal Protective Equipment industry
announced today the launch of the Warrior Protection & Readiness Coalition (WPRC), an
industry-led effort to ensure that US fighting forces are properly equipped and funded to execute
their missions. For the first time, the manufacturers of individual equipment and protective
clothing are combining their efforts to advocate for the resources needed to properly equip the US
warfighter. By advocating for fully funding an integrated set of clothing and equipment used by
soldiers, seamen, airmen and marines, the WPRC will work to make certain that our warfighters are
supplied with superior gear and equipment.
The WPRC will work to ensure that there continues to be a robust domestic industrial base in
place to support the permanent battlefield superiority of the US warfighter. By providing the
Personal Protective Equipment industry a unified voice, the WPRC will combine forces to raise
awareness about and address issues important to our deployed warfighters. The coalition will focus
on the legislative and policy development process, including advocating for adequate research and
development of and full funding for superior Personal Protective Equipment for US warfighters, as
well as supporting policy initiatives that affect domestic manufacturers. Members of the WPRC are
committed to working closely with the Program Managers of the Department of Defense to support
their efforts to increase warfighter effectiveness, survivability, mobility, sustainability and
situational awareness and will advocate for integrated programs like Soldier-As-A-System.
The founding members of the WPRC include ADS Tactical, Darn Tough, Insight Technology,
Integrated Wave Technologies, London Bridge Trading, New Balance, Otis, Pelican, Sperian, Surefire,
Wiley X and W. L. Gore. Additional leaders in the Personal Protective Equipment industry are
expected to join as this effort gains momentum.
Press release courtesy of the Warrior Protection & Readiness Coalition
Posted on December 29, 2009
