| Tencate protective fabrics have made working quite safe and approachable for firefighters |
TenCate Defender(TM) M fabrics have repeatedly been chosen by the US Army and US Marine Corps for ground troops in the FR-ACU and FROG programs.
TenCate Protective Fabrics USA has reported a surge in demand for its lead TenCate Defender(TM) M product during the fourth quarter. Sales are forecasted to reach approximately 60 million US dollars during the last quarter of 2010 (29 million US dollars in fourth quarter 2009). Increased demand for TenCate Defender(TM) M is expected to last well into the first quarter of 2011.
The ramp up of TenCate Defender(TM) M fabric consumption started during the third quarter after the temporary decline in sales as a result of style changes (camouflage print). Current high sales levels relate to demand from the United States Army and the United States Marine Corps, where uniform distribution is being increased to support Operation Enduring Freedom and Global War On Terrorism. Fabric from this order will be used to manufacture the Army issued Flame Resistant Army Combat Uniform (FR-ACU) and the Marine issued Flame Resistant Organizational Gear (FROG).
TenCate anticipated on the current trend by building inventory throughout the supply chain in advance to support this increase in demand of its products. Fabric to fulfil these orders began shipping at the end of the third quarter 2010.