Core Values
At our foundation, we have a set of values that dictate every decision we make and how we conduct our business.
Design Process
DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT
From our research we develop concepts and refine with the customer to provide brand appropriate products. These concepts are paired with material and trim selections as well as thoughtful color applications for the season and market.
RESEARCH & ANALYSIS
We compile market, trend, and competitive analyses in order to better understand our customers and their needs.
PLANNING & MERCHANDISING
We go a step further to consider merchandised assortment plans and will provide packaging options for a well rounded product offering.
Our Development Capabilites
We work hard to make sure the product you have at the end is one you are completely satisfied with. That is why we go through multiple rounds of samples to bring your ideas to life.
SOURCINGTogether, with our team in Asia, we will source trend relevant materials, price appropriate trims, and develop custom components and hardware for your specific needs.
MANUFACTURINGWe have a great set of factory partners who we have worked with for years that will provide the best quality products. Our locations include United States, Honduras, China, Taiwan, Myanmar and Vietnam.
We hold our products to the highest QA standards. Both our teams in Asia and the US inspect our products and we ensure COC and CPSIA compliance.
Once the product has completed production we work with our customers to determine the best plan of action for shipping and logistics. We have our own warehouse based in Missouri.
Customer Service
Regardless of whether you have been a partner with us for 20 years or 20 minutes, all of Blackstone brands and service companies put customer service at the top of their priority list. This is because you, our partners, are of the utmost importance to us.
Each of our businesses are unique companies within unique industries, so we ensure that the services we provide best meet your needs. We keep it simple. We do our best to come to win-win projects, pricing and services. And we keep the communication lines open, transparent and frequent. And when we make a mistake, we do our best to make it right.
We offer customer service and sales support throughout the country as well as in other countries where we have manufacturing hubs, including China and Honduras.
Brand Building
WE ANALYZE: MARKET, CATEGORY, + COMPETITIVE TRENDS
WE STRATEGIZE: PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT, + BRAND POSITIONING
WE DESIGN: GRAPHICS, PACKAGING, PRODUCTS, WEBSITES
Blackstone’s roots are in building great products, and through that, building great brands. We recognize that every brand and company has its unique approach on how to go about growing. Through our experience and expertise, we offer strategies to help you build your brands — either through partnership or collaboration with our brands, including exclusive styles, or through working with our product development and design team arms.
Depending on where you are in your process, and what your brand and product needs are, we offer STRATEGIC BRANDING that includes Market and Category Analysis, Competitive Review, and Strategic Planning and Development, as well as Product and Brand Positioning. We back it up with DESIGN that includes Graphic Design, Packaging Design, and Product Design, and even custom Web Design and Portals for our Airline partners.
Factories
Our factory partners cover the following locations:
CHINA | INDONESIA | CAMBODIA | TAIWAN | VIETNAM
We own factories in the following locations:
UNITED STATES | HONDURAS | CHINA
Blackstone Timeline
1989
LuggageWorks Brand is formed.
1993
Flight Station Retailer is formed to distribute LuggageWorks.
1998
Carry Gear Division is formed within Pacific Market International (PMI) encompassing the soft goods products that were offered to brands like Nike, Eddie Bauer, Target, and Lands’ End.
1999
LuggageWorks becomes a customer of the Carry Gear division.
2000
Shanghai Office Carry Gear opens Shanghai office to support Nike Asia business.
2001
B.I.G. Blackstone Investment Group is formed as holding company. Crew Outfitters B.I.G. purchases Airline Ventures, a uniform retailer and manufacturer, which becomes Crew Outfitters.
2002
All of B.I.G.’s retailers are consolidated to form the Crew Outfitters chain.
2003
Carry Gear and LuggageWorks partner under Blackstone Investment Group.
2004
Carry Gear opens its first offshore factory partnership with Grown UP USA.
2005
Asia Operations office moves to Dongguan to be closer to factory partners.
2007
105 Meridien, LLC is acquired as a sourcing division for OEM resources as well as the following brands: Mountainsmith, LLC, Youngstown Glove Co., LLC, and Detours Bike Bags. We begin bag licensing partnership with LEGO. Premier Hats is added to the Airline Division of Blackstone.
2010
Second factory partnership in Yuyang China services Airline Division of Blackstone.
2012
Haiku, LLC is acquired focusing on eco everyday adventure bags. Stop Over Store, LLC and Field Shops, LLC are acquired, adding 5 locations that now operate as Crew Outfitters locations.
2016
Third offshore factory opened in Honduras to support uniform business.
2017
Bratwear and Olympic Uniform brands are acquired to form Sound Uniform Solutions, manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer of law enforcement uniforms, jackets, jumpsuits and protective gear. Unique Textile Experts, a US based manufacturing facility is also acquired and renamed Seattle Sewing Solutions. Manufacturing between Sound and Seattle Sewing have merged and are now located in Tacoma, Washington.
2018
Blackstone invests in Oriental Peak, SE Asia Based Manufacturing facilities (locations in China, Cambodia, Vietnam).
2021
Frank’s Uniform and Tactical in Springfield, MO is acquired, increasing our Law Enforcement Division. Yuyang facility moves to Shenzhen, China.
2022
Southern Uniform and Tactical, Carthage, MO: Another great specialty retailer in alignment with our law enforcement and first responder outfitters, selling uniforms, tactical gear and specialty equipment.
2023
A planned merger of Sound Uniform Solutions, Southern Uniform and Tactical and Frank’s Uniform and Tactical will combine the first responder expertise into one company that will be known as First Responder Outfitters, Inc.