San Lorenzo’s Bluewater Defense lands $103M Army contract
Bluewater will make an unspecified number of combat pants for the Army.
Bluewater Defense Inc., based in San Lorenzo, was recently awarded a contract for an unspecified number of Army combat uniform trousers for which it could make as much as $103.6 million by the Jan. 17, 2014 fulfillment date, the U.S. Department of Defense announced.
The funding for the hefty contract — which if fully paid out would represent about 5 percent of the U.S military’s more than $2 billion budget for clothing and uniforms — will come from Defense Working Capital funds for fiscal years 2013 and 2014, the agency further noted.
Bluewater Defense, formerly known as DJ Manufacturing Corp. also has locations in Cidra, Corozal and Yabucoa, and employs 1,500 highly trained garment manufacturers. The order for three types of “permethrin” pants will be split between the four plants, DOD officials said.
Permethrin is defined as an insect repellent that is often applied on clothing to keep insects away.
“Our goal at Bluewater Defense is to meet the specific needs of our men and women in uniform in even the most challenging circumstances,” said Bluewater Defense CEO Eric Spackey following the company’s recent rebranding and restructuring.
“We’re partnering with the best manufacturers of advanced fabrics and materials in the United States to supply our troops with the highest performing end products,” he said. “We’re very excited to begin this development work with our longtime industry colleagues and new partners.”
Bluewater Defense beat out nine other companies that bid for the contract. The company describes itself as a “worldwide leader in precision needle working and manufacturing dedicated to producing a wide variety of protective clothing, uniforms and individual equipment for the Department of Defense.”
