Darn Tough Vermont to supply US Marine Corps with 450,000 Merino wool boot socks

Darn Tough Vermont, domestic manufacturer of premium all-weather performance socks, has been awarded a contract to supply the United States Marine Corps (USMC) with 450,000 pairs of its Extreme Cold Weather Merino Wool Boot Socks, a style in the company’s Tactical sock line. The contract is worth about $3 million. According to Ric Cabot, president of Darn Tough Vermont, this latest award represents the company’s largest Tactical order to date and demonstrates its commitment to creating uncompromising products for U.S. warfighters.
US Senator Patrick Leahy, who secured a $1.6 million military contract for Darn Tough in 2008, said he was very pleased to see how Darn Tough leveraged that opportunity to create a major clothing line with a growing fan base among deployed troops fighting in harsh environments.
‘This contract proves that a seedling contract can blossom into substantial business for a Vermont manufacturer,’ said Leahy. ‘All these Vermonters needed was a chance to put their best foot forward. It also proves that Vermont quality counts when it comes to outfitting and protecting our troops.’
Ric Cabot, President of Darn Tough Vermont, said, ‘We Vermonters are a proud bunch. When you give us a job to do, we do it with heart and soul. The contract Senator Leahy secured for us in 2008 was an acknowledgment of this work ethic. Since making good on that contract and putting our best into every pair of socks we knit, we’ve been able to consistently grow the tactical side of our business, adding more jobs and investing more in our infrastructure every year. Northfield, Vermont, is, in my mind, the sock capital of the world ‘ we produce the best with the best. And obviously,’ Cabot added, ‘FOR the best.’
A single award was issued by the Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) to Darn Tough Vermont, in partnership with long-time industry partner ADS Inc., for 450,000 pairs of socks to be delivered by September 2012. Marines will receive four pairs each of Darn Tough Vermont’s Extreme Cold Weather Merino Wool Boot Sock (style #14033). The Extreme Cold Weather Merino Wool Boot Sock uses densely knit Merino wool fibers to provide moisture transfer away from the foot, minimizingthe risk of lower extremity injury (e.g., blisters, cellulites, frostbite, hypothermia, trench foot) and ensuring insulation and protection from cold weather environments.
‘There’s no sock that better meets the mission-specific requirements of the USMC and provides an immediate improvement to the quality of life for our Marines,’ said Shannon McKenna, director of government sales at Darn Tough Vermont. ‘Our military personnel demands the best, without compromise, and Darn Tough Vermont has repeatedly been the sock they turn to.’
The previous Darn Tough Vermont award was a contract with the USMC, in partnership with ADS Inc., for nearly 200,000 pairs of its All-Weather Boot Socks. Additionally, the sock maker continues to deliver on a four-year contract with PEO Soldier for the Team Soldier Certified Gear sock of the US Army’s Fire Resistant Environmental Ensemble (FREE). This is a multilayered insulating system that is adaptable to varying mission requirements and environmental conditions, involving numerous manufacturers, awarded under a single contract to ADS Inc.
‘Our troops need the best equipment and their families back in the States need jobs. Working with the military allows us to achieve both,’ said McKenna. ‘In fact, our business growth in the Tactical sector has helped us add jobs to our hosiery mill and make infrastructure upgrades, all during a time when almost every U.S.-based hosiery mill, and most of the textile industry, has taken their manufacturing and jobs overseas.’
Darn Tough Vermont’s combat proven Tactical sock line is designed to meet the demanding requirements of the U.S. Armed Forces by improving quality of life, increasing soldier safety, enhancing force protection and heightening overall warfighter survivability. Custom, ultra-fine merino wool yarns and the highest density stitch count in the industry result in a sock that achieves ‘ and often exceeds ‘ the military’s rigorous standards.
‘We’re one of just a few companies that ensure uncompromising quality standards by making our socks in the U.S., with U.S. labor, in our own mill.’ said McKenna. ‘A lot of pride goes into every pair; it’s especially rewarding when our socks go to those who serve.’
For more information about Darn Tough Vermont, please visit www.darntough.com. For more information on ADS Inc. Operational Equipment and Logistics Solutions please see www.adsinc.com.
About Darn Tough Vermont
Darn Tough Vermont is a manufacturer of premium, all-weather outdoor socks, with headquarters in Northfield, Vermont, offering both Tactical and Specialty product lines. The company’s Tactical line of footwear includes Tactical PT, Tactical Dress and Tactical Boot socks comprising 23 styles ranging from True-Seamlessâ ¢ mesh, no-show PT socks to over-the-calf extreme cold weather mountaineering boot socks. Darn Tough Vermont’s Berry Amendment Compliant style selection is one of the largest in the tactical industry. Darn Tough Vermont’s Specialty line offers footwear in six active wear categories: ski/ride, hike/trek, run/bike, lifestyle, hunt and kid’s styles. The company’s product is distinguished from industry competitors by 100 percent USA manufacturing; small-needle knitting which results in more stitches per inch, and exceptional durability and cushioning; an exclusive blend of either Coolmax® or ultra-fine merino wool for softness, fit, durability and moisture management. For more information, visit: www.darntough.com.