Last Wednesday, 11 January 2012, Gentex Corporation announced their acquisition of OPS-CORE Incorporated, leading to a consolidation in a fast improving field of helmet technology for military use. OPS-CORE, which is a relatively new company, as it was established in 2005, is well known for the series of helmets, called FAST, which are also modular that can provide an almost full head protection that covers the ears, mandible, and head strap system that will make wearing helmets bearable and comfortable.

Gentex Corportation is already an established company, tracing its roots in the 19th Century with a history of developing helmets, helmet accessories, eye protection, respiratory, and communications equipment for just almost any branch of the military. The combination of these companies provide a good list of clients for the OPS-CORE products, and cutting edge helmet design for Gentex. That is, if Gentex would allow the OPS-CORE team to continue with their innovative approach at enhancing head protection and tactical products.

In a crowding warfighter helmet market, as more competitors are jumping into next generation helmets for the going changes in the military needs and specifications, this combination would be a formidable one, as OPS-CORE products are now being used in the field, with operators preferring their FAST Helmet series. Other competitors are still at the testing and approval stages. Even in airsoft, the FAST Helmet series are being snapped up, whether in original form, or unlicensed replicas.

Press release below and looking forward to more improvement in OPS-CORE products with the resources of Gentex Corporation. They'll be also showing up for the Shot Show 2012.

Gentex Corporation Acquires Ops-Core, Inc.; Together Companies to Meet Needs of Modern War Fighters

Wednesday, January 11, 2012 | CARBONDALE, PA

Two companies, focused on serving the modern war fighter, have joined today to deliver sophisticated personal protective equipment for elite military units around the world. Ops-Core, Inc., located in Boston, MA, was acquired this week by Gentex Corporation, a long-standing global leader in personal protection and situation awareness products. This agreement reflects a passion to deliver industry-leading solutions shared by both firms.

“Foremost, Ops-Core customers will benefit from the strategic nature of this business transaction,” stated David Rogers, former Ops-Core Chief Executive Officer and new Vice President of Concept Development at Gentex. “Meeting the growing demand and supply of our products with shorter lead times will be supported by Gentex’s substantial manufacturing capabilities,” Rogers explained, “while delivering improved technology solutions for our existing customer base.”

“Accelerating our combined capabilities to successfully meet the increasing demands of the modern warfighter is essential to our business strategy in today’s competitive defense marketplace and is a true convergence of our business strengths,” said L. Peter Frieder, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of Gentex Corporation. “Ops-Core is already well known for producing the world’s first and only fully modular helmet platform for ground forces with the ability to meet the U.S. Army’s protective standards with excellent stability, low weight and comfort. Gentex has a proven and long-standing presence in aircrew helmet systems for high-speed jet and rotary wing customers who rely upon integrated night vision, communications and other situation awareness technologies; along with comprehensive skills in advanced materials science and engineering. Having access to such technologies and resulting capabilities will provide Ops-Core’s special operations customers with the ultimate choice of solutions for every mission scenario.”

“In the future, existing Ops-Core products fielded by elite warfighters could easily expand Gentex’s core offerings to more traditional ground forces,” added John Pullo, Vice President of Ground Systems, Gentex.

Gentex has been involved with every advance of Ground and Combat Vehicle Crew protection for the last 50 years, delivering over 1.5 million helmets to such programs as U.S. Army Advanced Combat Helmets (ACH), U.S. Marine Corps Lightweight Helmet, Combat Vehicle Crew (CVC) Helmet and Personnel Protective Armor System Ground Troops (PASGT) Helmet, as well as supplying eye and face protection, communications and other helmet accessories.

Ops-Core was founded in 2005 by David and Viktoria Rogers. David will lead the location and work closely with Gentex’s key business, operations and technical personnel, while Viktoria will remain in an active leadership role at Ops-Core to ensure a seamless transition for customers and employees. Ops-Core will remain at its current Boston location and retain its operations, vendors and employees.

Customers may visit with Ops-Core and Gentex personnel, by appointment only, at the upcoming SHOT Show in Las Vegas, NV, from January 17-20, 2012 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center, Booth #8111.

Gentex Corporation, a privately-held, family-owned company with a product development and manufacturing history that spans more than 100 years, is a global provider and partner of choice for personal protection and situation awareness products, systems and platforms. Today, the company encompasses aircrew life support systems, helmet mounted displays, ground soldier protective equipment, high-performance textiles and communications equipment; and located at seven U.S. locations—Carbondale, PA; Rancho Cucamonga, CA; Manchester, NH; Aurora, IL; Millwood, NY; Billerica, MA; and Boston, MA. For more company information, visit www.gentexcorp.com.