PROPPER GOOD!
Founded by William S. Propper in 1967, Propper
International is a manufacturer of the American Army
Combat Uniform, Propper Battle Dress Uniform and
iconic white Navy “Dixie Cup” hats. Their line of products
includes high-quality tactical apparel and uniforms, military
footwear and combat accessories for Military and law
enforcement, service personnel, firefighting professionals,
public safety and outdoor enthusiasts. This year, they
proudly celebrate 50 years of providing outstanding
military, law enforcement and tactical apparel and gear
to folks like us who understand what it takes to get the
job done right.
And these already impressive numbers don’t even take
into account things like gloves, sleeping systems, webbing,
nylon gear, and even GORE-TEX rain suits (they’ve supplied
over a million GORE-TEX suits to the US military and
coastguard since 2004!) so you might say that this is a
company that know more than a little about making good,
solid, durable, and above all reliable clothing and gear!
UP TO THE MINUTE
You might think with all of this going on that Propper would
be pretty comfortable to rest on the laurels and just keep
cracking on with those military contracts, but that’s far from
the truth of the matter. Like any company worth their salt
they’re always looking at new fabrics, new technologies
and new methods of garment construction so that they
can offer the user the very best they can!
Whilst they do still manufacture both the classic
BDU and the more modern ACU in a massive array of
camouflage patterns (and yes, you can still buy M81!) it’s
in some of their latest directions that they’ve completely
re-kindled my interest. To go back to an earlier comment
KER
The 4,000-square-foot Propper “think tank” is dedicated to
the research, development and design of new products. It’s
where Propper transform gear concept sketches to finished
prototypes that feel as authentic and durable as the real
thing. From there, their product development and global
sourcing departments work hand-in-hand to bring their
biggest and best ideas to life.
Propper cut and sew their clothing and gear in their
very own 9001-2008 ISO-Certified production facilities in
Haiti and Dominican Republic. Propper’s Berry-Compliant
production facility in Puerto Rico handles additional cutting
and sewing, in addition to pattern-grading, permanent
press, permethrin treatments, stone washing, enzyme and
garment dying, and certified GORE-TEX seam sealing.
Their 200,000-square-foot distribution center in Dickson,
Tennessee is EDI capable, RFID capable, and government
bill and hold capable, helping them deliver everything
users need on time, and on spec. Propper’s website tells
me that their core values are:
• Authentic - From design to delivery, we’re driven by
good people making really good gear. If it’s anything else,
it isn’t ours.
• Deliberate - We’re calculated when it comes to what
we make, how we make it and who we make it for – a
difference you can feel in every stitch, every seam and
every pocket.
• Responsive - Like our gear, our flexible service, fast
shipping and product customization are designed to bring
you more than you’d ever expect.
• Proven - We’re the leading gear and apparel supplier for
the U.S. Department of Defense, having met their evolving
needs for 50 years.
To put this last point in perspective for you in that 50 years
Propper has a hugely impressive track record, and the
numbers, whilst staggering, speak plainly for themselves;
• 120,000,000 GARMENTS produced for the US military.
• 30,000,000 MILITARY PERSONNEL have worn Propper
garments.
• 8,100,000 TOPS to the US Military.
• 11,800,000 TROUSERS to the US Military.
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