outdoor research hires GM to drive continued growth in military, tactical arenas
Outdoor Research hires GM to drive continued growth in military, tactical arenas
David Hein brings 24 years experience in the category from GM/management roles at 5.11 Tactical and Dickies.
SEATTLE, Wash. (May 18, 2021) – Building on its growing U.S. and off-shore manufacturing capabilities, Outdoor Research (OR), a leading manufacturer in the outdoor and tactical apparel industries, hired David Hein this month as General Manager of Military and Tactical.
Hein brings an extensive background working in the tactical, military and workwear markets. He will report to Outdoor Research President Roger Barton and help drive OR’s growth across those categories. Hein will work closely with the longtime Outdoor Research Tactical team who have been integral to the military business.
Hein joins Outdoor Research from 5.11 Tactical, where he worked for 12 years. His roles there included Vice President and GM as well as Merchandising Operations. Prior to that, Hein spent more than a decade at Dickies.
“What drew me to Outdoor Research is the people, the brand and the product,” Hein said. “One of the things that’s unique about OR is that we’ve got two U.S. manufacturing facilities that employ hundreds of people making top-tier and highly technical products here in America. That is a big deal right now and it represents a lot of opportunity. In our markets, there are very few companies that have the ability to manufacture products in house in the U.S.”
Outdoor Research has operated in the Government/Tactical arena for 30 years, building products for both elite units of the U.S. military and the tactical consumer market.
Contributing to its increased onshore manufacturing capabilities, Outdoor Research over the last two years has invested more than $5 million in improving R+D capabilities focused on these markets, including opening a second onshore factory in El Monte, California, while at the same time extensively modernizing and upgrading its manufacturing operation at its headquarters in Seattle, WA.
“Over the past three years Outdoor Research has made significant investments in the team members across the business that has resulted in driving record growth across all channels.” OR President Roger Barton said. “I am excited by the opportunity to add David’s extensive leadership experience to the team and the potential additional growth opportunities for the brand.”
About Outdoor Research
Outdoor Research was built to methodically create, protect, and prepare for the future. Since 1981 we have demonstrated our expertise in the outdoor, medical, and tactical industries with award-winning protective equipment. Our ambassadors, non-profit partners, and employees sustain us through seemingly impossible challenges. Join us at outdoorresearch.com.