U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has selected HESCO Hard Armor plates for equipping and protecting their officer’s to meet their unique operational requirements.
The five-year, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract with a value of US $20M, was awarded to a Hesco distributor, Armor Express, the 2017 Platinum ‘ASTORS’ Award Winner for Best Personal/Protective Equipment Product.
Armor Express, based in Central Lake, MI, is a leading U.S. manufacturer and distributor of high-performance body armor solutions.
Hesco will manufacture torso and side plates of various threat profiles, each model specifically engineered by Hesco.
CBP is the largest civilian law enforcement agency of the Department of Homeland Security charged with border management and security, and was recognized by American Security Today for Excellence in Homeland Security in the 2017 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards at ISC East.
(See HESCO’s American-made, thinner, lighter and concealable ballistic resistant body plates put to the test. Courtesy of HESCO and YouTube)
As the United States’ first unified border entity, CBP takes a comprehensive approach to border management and control, combining customs, immigration, border security, and agricultural protection into one coordinated and supportive activity.
The men and women of CBP are responsible for enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws and regulations.
(Learn More about the critical role CBP plays in our nation’s physical and economic security. It also underscores our employees’ unwavering commitment to that mission. Courtesy of CBP and YouTube)
On a typical day, CBP welcomes nearly one million visitors, screens more than 67,000 cargo containers, arrests more than 1,100 individuals, and seizes nearly 6 tons of illicit drugs.
It is anticipated that CBP’s primary demand will be for the ultralight weight model BI 3800C, a NIJ Certified Level III plate providing exceptional ease of mobility and durability.
Annually, CBP facilitates an average of more than $3 trillion in legitimate trade while enforcing U.S. trade laws.
This plate was engineered by Hesco using the latest generation of Honeywell Spectra Shield® composite materials and is currently the lightest highest performance Level III plate on the market.
Stephanie Victory, Chief Executive Officer Hesco Armor, Inc. is incredibly proud of the team’s newest achievement.
“We pride ourselves on our ability to form partnerships that best work towards providing a high level of protection to the end-user,” said Victory.
“By working alongside distributors like Armor Express we are sharing our strengths and assets and together we will better serve our customers.”
“This latest purchase order for Customs and Border Protection is testament to DHS’ continued trust in our field-tested and industry-proven solutions,” said Scott Wyatt, Vice President of Sales for Armor Express.
“We look forward to greater collaboration with the department as our success is only possible by the input received from actual end-users.”
“We will continue to drive innovation to safeguard the life of every officer who wears our body armor.”
Beginning in early 2018 these custom HESCO plates will be available to other qualified parties through HESCO Armor’s commercial distribution channels.
Hesco Armor is proud to manufacture lightweight ballistic resistant inserts for the brave servicemen and women of the US Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, law enforcement and private security.
To Learn More, see Hesco Armor representatives at SHOT Show 2018, January 23 – 26, Las Vegas.
The 2017 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program
American Security Today’s 2017 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Awards Presentation Luncheon at ISC East was an overwhelming success, with distinguished guests from National, State and Local Governments, and Industry Leading Corporate Executives from companies allied to Government.
Over 100 professionals gathered from across North America and the Middle East to be honored from disciplines across the Security Industry in their respective fields which included:
- The Department of Homeland Security
- The Department of Justice
- The Security Exchange Commission
- State and Municipal Law Enforcement Agencies, and
- Leaders in Private Security
Recognized for their Innovative Training and Education Programs, Outstanding Product Development Achievements and Exciting New Technologies to address the growing Homeland Security Threats our Nation is facing.
American Security Today was formed after careful reflection of 9/11 and its aftermath when the Department of Homeland Security was established and there was an immediate explosion of new products and solutions for what was perceived as an imminent second attack on primary targets in the United States.
As time moved forward from 9/11 itself and in recent years, the threats to our nation have evolved from a large scale 9/11 type attack to:
- Domestic and International Terrorist Attacks carried out by ‘lone wolves’ and coordinated individuals
- Cybersecurity breach attacks against our government agencies, financial institutions and critical infrastructure facilities
- Unprecedented urban violence
- Cultural shifts and societal media bias, which make it increasingly difficult to secure our nation in this constantly evolving threat environment.
These current circumstances have put forward another rapid expansion of new ideas, products and solutions to combat these ever changing challenges.
These changes have called for a new generation of security experts in the Homeland Security and Public Safety fields who need real time knowledge of our ever growing threats.
These experts include the Government at the Federal, State and Local levels as well as from Private Firms specializing in Physical Security, Port Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military and Private Security responsible for implementing coordinated security measures to ensure our Nation’s Security and improve Public Safety.
Together, each of these entities work together seamlessly on the front lines of protecting our communities, to ‘Keep our Nation Secure, One City at a Time.’
