GTS Strategy and Supply Chain

Most of our plates are Made in the USA with the world's strongest materials.  

We are careful to follow the law regarding "Made in USA" claims.  The Federal Trade Commission has strict rules about Made in the USA labelling that can be reviewed at the FTC's website.

Our strategy is to focus less on country of origin and more on performance.   Marketable performance is created when materials quality intersects with commitment and affordability.  Armor manufacturing involves a high degree of assembly.  One company makes the Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight (UHMWPE) sheet material.  Another manufactures the ceramic strike face.  While the armor manufacturer may cut, consolidate and bond the UHMWPE to the ceramic - the process is generally one of assembly.  The armorer's strengths lie in abilities to combine materials in ways to best match performance goals.

Within the armor industry, there is an astounding number of manufacturer's making unqualified "Made in USA" claims (ignoring the FTC's "all or virtually all" standards).  Some armor manufacturers obtain (at least some) of their ceramic from Europe or South Africa.  Others obtain adhesives from Europe.  These companies should not be making unqualified "Made in USA" claims.  The compliant way to advertise would be something like "Made in the USA with South African ceramic" or "Made in the USA with European adhesives."  But, only a few companies adhere to the FTC standard.  We generally use "Made in the USA with the world's strongest materials" or something similar.

The USA does not have the world's highest quality materials in all cases.  While it is sometimes true that great, high quality armor components may be discovered with USA sources - this is not always the case.  For example, "affordable" and size flexible ceramic strike faces at 99.7% purity are not available through U.S. sources.  If you attempt high purity sourcing, the price would be 5-10X above the same material with alternate worldwide sources.  A well-known armor manufacturer utilizes Made in USA ceramic - but the purity is only 90%.  This is well below the 99%+ content we normally use from other sources.

As a result of the above, we search for the best materials at the best prices and bond them with the strongest adhesives.  This takes care, expertise, and talent. We do what we do because we enjoy doing it.