Outdoor Gear

Fletcher, NC— Diamond Brand announced today that it has been selected by the United States Department of Defense for a five-year contract valued up to $28.3 million to produce and supply its Two-Man Marine Combat Tent to the United States Marine Corps.  The contract is expected to bring 20-30 new jobs to Fletcher and its neighboring communities beginning in early 2012.

“This contract is outstanding news for the local economy in Western North Carolina and for our troops,” said Rep. Shuler. “During a particularly challenging time for the manufacturing industry, this multi-year contract will create at least 20-30 good-paying jobs and bring millions of dollars to our local economy while ensuring our troops are provided with the best equipment available. I applaud Diamond Brand for their innovation and continued commitment to delivering ‘best-in-class protection’ for our service members fighting overseas.”

Based on current Department of Defense projections, the exclusive contract, beginning April 2012, will call for Diamond Brand to provide the Department of Defense with more than 14,000 tents per year for the next five years.  The contract is expected to be an economic boon for Western North Carolina as the increased production demand will result in significant hiring at the company’s Fletcher-based manufacturing facility. The Two-Man Marine Combat Tent is fully compliant with the Berry Amendment ensuring that products are made in the U.S.A. 

“Diamond Brand is an outstanding example of the high-quality companies North Carolina has to offer the defense industry, and I am delighted that they were selected for this contract,” said Senator Kay Hagan (NC), who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee. “Though North Carolina has the third largest military footprint in the country, our state currently only receives one percent of Defense Department contracting dollars. Through initiatives like my annual Defense Trade Show – which the folks at Diamond Brand attended this year – I am working to attract more contracts like this one to our state. Defense contracts in North Carolina mean jobs in North Carolina, and I am committed to ensuring our state is the most sought-after in the country for defense contracting work.”

The tent is a two-man, free standing, double wall tent featuring a vapor permeable tent body with a fully waterproof reversible rain fly.  All tent floor and rain fly seams are factory taped for waterproofing.  The rain fly also can be used independently of the tent body with poles and stakes as a "hooch."

“We are thrilled to provide the ‘gold standard’ in combat field-shelter for the brave men and women of the U.S. Military while they are on the front lines defending our freedom and while training here at home,” said Will Gay, President & Owner ­– Diamond Brand.  “We appreciate the DOD’s confidence in selecting Diamond Brand for its Marine Corps shelter needs, especially in the current environment of tough competition for military contracts. We are truly honored to demonstrate that Western North Carolina can deliver ‘best-in-class protection from the elements’ for our fighting men and women across the globe.”

Diamond Brand has been producing the tent under contract exclusively since 2005. For more information on the Two-Man Marine Combat Tent and Diamond Brand Canvas Products complete catalog of offerings visit www.diamondbrand.com/manufacturing.

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Editor’s Note--photography of the Two-Man Marine Combat Tent is available at: http://www.diamondbrand.com/manufacturing/cat/military_gear/shelter/diamond_brand_tents/marine_corps_combat_tent