INVISTA, TAC WEAR AND RANGER JOE'S COLLABORATE TO LAUNCH
CORDURA® BRAND BASELAYER T-SHIRT
Defend Your Base™ Event Salutes the Wounded Warrior Project
Columbus, Ga. (June 21, 2008) - INVISTA, Tac Wear and Ranger Joe's
came together this weekend to unveil a new innovation - the CORDURA® brand
Baselayer t-shirt that was created to defend the base of today's warfighter. The
Tac Wear t-shirt made with INVISTA's CORDURA® brand Baselayer fabric is
being touted for its next-to-skin performance properties when exposed to heat in
flash fire situations, such as Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
Sergeant Josh Olson, spokesperson for the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP),
was the honored guest of the day. "It was great to help support today's launch
at Ranger Joe's - it's more than a store - it helps take care of us [soldiers] while
overseas by providing tools like this new no melt, no drip Tac Wear t-shirt made
with CORDURA® brand Baselayer fabric," said Olson. "And in case something
does happen, Wounded Warriors Project helps pick you up and take care of your
needs - together it's a family network that takes you through every step."
During the event, INVISTA, Tac Wear and Ranger Joe's presented the WWP
with a $10,000 donation that will help to support programs and services offered
to wounded warriors.
"We are pleased to be recognized today by three groups that are dedicated to
providing our soldiers on the front-line with attire that provides confidence and
protection," said Catherine Pillsburry, community participation manager, WWP.
"In the unfortunate event that they are, however, injured while overseas our
organization is here to honor and empower our wounded warriors by providing
them with needed services to help them cope and rebuild their lives."
Paul Voorhees, owner of Ranger Joe's and local hero, is a long-time supporter of
the country's troops. "Our wounded warriors are one of our most valuable assets
in this country," said Voorhees. "The CORDURA® brand Baselayer has an
immeasurable amount of value in comfort and performance and is designed to
lessen the severity of the injuries that our soldiers encounter on the battlefield. I
truly believe this is a product that I can brag about."
The event, which took place at Ranger Joe's on Victory Drive from 9 a.m. to 3
p.m., featured product demonstrations, education, entertainment and hourly
giveaways for soldiers and families. In addition, barbeque and refreshments
were served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Customer Robin McCandless who purchased a shirt for her son who will soon
graduate from basic training at Fort Benning commented, "Wow, it's so soft!"
She continued by saying, "I think that the no melt, no drip feature will offer him
better protection than the cotton t-shirt that soldiers are currently issued and
those that he's been buying. He's going on an overnight hike this week and I
think it will help to keep him dry." McCandless plans to send him more Baselayer
t-shirts after graduation.
"With the potential dangers surrounding use of polyester based undergarments,
in flash fires, there's a need for the CORDURA® brand Baselayer," said Jon
Heard, global business director of INVISTA nylon staple and government
business. "In fact, the army has heard of the new moisture-wicking t-shirt. Over
the summer soldiers at the Joint Readiness and Training Center at Fort Polk, La.,
will test the Tac Wear shirts made with INVISTA's CORDURA® Baselayer
fabric."
The Baselayer t-shirt boasts the legendary qualities of CORDURA® fabric that
customers have come to know and trust, such as Exceptional Abrasion
Resistance and Unbeatable Durability. In addition, the new CORDURA® brand
Baselayer fabric offers Excellent Moisture Management Performance and
Enhanced Comfort and Breathability.
"This is an important product for the armed forces, law enforcement and even
outdoor enthusiasts can benefit," said Ty Manns, director of U.S sales and
marketing for Tac Wear. "We look forward to a long-lasting relationship that will
allow us to launch some very impressive products that protect the warfighter. We
chose INVISTA fiber made materials for this product because they work."
These Tac Wear undergarments made with CORDURA® brand Baselayer fabric
are being touted for their next-to-skin performance when exposed to heat in flash
fire situations such as Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Constructed with a
unique blend of INVISTA T420 nylon 6,6 fiber and cotton, the fabric insulates the
body under heat threat. When exposed to these high temperatures, the fabric
forms gels and chars around the cotton creating an entirely new fabric structure
with a higher ignition resistance that does not drip or melt onto the skin under the
polyester.
In addition to the t-shirt (long and short sleeve), other products in the line include
balaclavas, skullcaps, boxer briefs.
About Wounded Warrior Project
Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is a non-profit organization aimed at assisting those men and
women of the United States armed forces who have been severely injured during the war on
terrorism in Iraq, Afghanistan and other hot spots around the world. Beginning at the bedside of
the severely wounded, WWP provides programs and services designated to ease the burdens of
these heroes and their families, aid in the recovery process and smooth the transition back to
civilian life. For more information, please call (904) 296-7350 or visit
www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
About Ranger Joe's
In 1963, in response to a growing number of soldiers being sent to Southeast Asia, the legend
known as Ranger Joe was born. Since then Ranger Joe's has grown to be more than another
military or cop-shop. Ranger Joe's is a LANDMARK. Ask anyone stationed at Fort Benning and
they'll tell you Ranger Joe's is the HOOAH place to go! Ranger Joe's International Web Site
provides those same products online. For more information, visit: www.rangerjoes.com
About Tac Wear
Tac Wear is a leading designer, marketer and distributor of branded performance apparel. Tac
Wear's performance garments are designed from real-world experience, with input from some of
the world's most demanding customers. Tac Wear uses only the most advanced, best performing
technical fabrics to manufacture garments, at an ISO 9001 certified facility, that are tested and
proven to perform for athletes, soldiers, officers or the weekend warrior. Our industry leading
products keep the wearers cooler in the summer, warmer in the winter and fresher no matter the
season. Tac Wear clothing fits. It performs. And it lasts. It does its job and helps you do yours.
For further information, please visit the Company's website at www.tacwear.com.
About CORDURA® BRAND
The CORDURA® brand is the registered trademark of INVISTA for durable fabrics. Known for its resistance to abrasions, tears and scuffs, CORDURA® fabric is used in a wide range of products, including luggage, backpacks, boots, military wear and performance apparel. For more information, visit www.cordura.com.