Logistik Unicorp Group is primed for all military contracts coming their way
For any large uniform specialist, providing combat and dress uniforms to prestigious military clients around the world is both an honour and an enviable feat; Logistik Unicorp and its international divisions proudly meet the challenge.
Fully cognizant of the important, even critical role the uniform has within an organization — especially in the military — Logistik Unicorp, along with Australian Defence Apparel (ADA) and Wintex, share a common, rallying goal: to set the international standard in military dress and operational apparel.
The group has a solid, long-standing reputation as a trustworthy partner in the R&D, manufacturing and distribution of military dress and combat uniforms and as a prime managed service provider.
Stronger together
Founded in 1992 by Louis Bibeau, Canada-based Logistik Unicorp puts the diversified skills of its divisions to great use. Fostering knowledge is essential to keeping ahead of the pack in the fast-evolving world of technical advancements; it is fair to say that leveraging the combined expertise among all divisions and business entities, such as experience, product data, achievements, failures, and lessons learned is more than just good practice, it is essential to success.
Technical achievements are the result of cross competencies shared among the divisions’ dedicated teams around the world. Specialized in combat and dress uniforms and equipment, they comprise experts from various fields such as human-centric design, cutting edge R&D, account management, as well as from military organizations.
With entities across diverse geographic locations, the Logistik Unicorp Group affirms its position as a prime supplier of weather-specific gear: Logistik Unicorp itself has extensive experience in cold/extreme cold weather uniforms, its European partner Wintex excels in rain gear, and ADA is a leader in desert and tropical climate clothing and equipment.
The group’s global know-how and worldwide leadership as a military solutions provider continue to foster international expansion further afield. Last June, ADA was awarded the Wearables Supply and Managed Services Contract by the New Zealand Defence Force, an R&D-focused program management contract that includes combat uniforms and load carriage equipment. Setting up a business entity in New Zealand will secure and create employment as well as provide partnership opportunities, in sync with the group’s philosophy of operating locally and generating domestic economic benefits.
“As a supplier to the defence forces of three of the Five Eyes countries – Canada, Australia and New Zealand – our group’s proven skill set and credibility in combat clothing and equipment reaches far and wide,” declares Louis Bibeau, the group’s President, and CEO.
Geared for success
Modular combat clothing systems have proven their worth in military operations and the Logistik Unicorp Group has proven its expertise in this field. In collaboration with the Department of National Defence – Directorate of Land Requirements, Logistik Unicorp design experts conceived and developed integrated uniform systems including the Multilayer System (MLS). The interchangeable MLS components are configured to seamlessly work together for optimal performance regardless of weather conditions, user preferences, or the type of duties performed. Over the years, MLS components have evolved through continuous improvement processes, a steady practice among all Logistik Unicorp divisions.
Ensuring combat gear meets the comfort and functionality needs of diverse soldier populations in the field is paramount for any military organization. Intensive analysis, observation, and research support anthropometric data-driven design, giving Logistik Unicorp Group the ability to introduce significant innovations in body-friendly combat uniforms. For example, using extensive body shape data, a comprehensive survey among female soldiers, and 3-D scanning covering more than 200,000 points on the body, provided ADA with valuable insight to bring improvements to service uniforms for female soldiers.
ADA’s recently developed Assault Pack Series is yet another example of the Group’s relentless efforts to better serve the complex, essential needs of combat soldiers: Following exhaustive design phases and numerous field trials and iterations, the Australian division engineered a range of next-generation load carriage solutions, serving soldiers’ operational needs across various critical situations.
Ensuring combat gear meets the comfort and functionality needs of diverse soldier populations in the field is paramount for any military organization. Intensive analysis, observation, and research support anthropometric data-driven design, giving Logistik Unicorp Group the ability to introduce significant innovations in body-friendly combat uniforms. For example, using extensive body shape data, a comprehensive survey among female soldiers, and 3-D scanning covering more than 200,000 points on the body, provided ADA with valuable insight to bring improvements to service uniforms for female soldiers. ADA’s recently developed Assault Pack Series is yet another example of the Group’s relentless efforts to better serve the complex, essential needs of combat soldiers: Following exhaustive design phases and numerous field trials and iterations, the Australian division engineered a range of next-generation load carriage solutions, serving soldiers’ operational needs across various critical situations.
When it comes to optimal product design, creative use of information technology is constantly on hand in the innovation toolbox. “At Logistik Unicorp, IT developments have always been done in-house. This not only translates into a deep understanding of clients’ IT needs but also allows for proactive determination of advanced solutions,” mentions Michel Ricard, Vice President, Chief Information Officer. For example, combined efforts from internal R&D, marketing and IT along with the CTT group, a local textile R&D hub, lead to the creation of a unique, optimal user experience (UX) mobile app. Through this practical methodology, Canadian soldiers sent real-time feedback while testing apparel and gear in the field. Instantaneous, genuine, high-quality data lead to design improvements and eventual development and production of military clothing and equipment.
R&D-based DNA
As keen supporters of science-driven solutions, all Logistik Unicorp companies regularly collaborate with higher education institutions. One partnership currently under way is a DND-initiated scientific research project with the University of Alberta. “The project focuses on the development of self-decontaminating textile in the form of fabric treated with a non-hazardous germicide, which is reactivated when the garment is washed,” explains Mehdi Ben Salah, PhD, Director of R&D at Logistik Unicorp. Another project in collaboration with two Montreal universities aims to better understand thermal insulation mechanisms and harness their capabilities for advanced applications for the military. The load carriage redesign at ADA is the result of close collaboration with Bond University’s Tactical Research Unit.
Combat situations vary greatly and consequently, so do soldiers’ needs. Although this represents a challenge for any military uniform supplier, Logistik Unicorp is greatly inspired by the prospect of pursuing and expanding its partnerships with armed forces around the world, unique partnerships built on mutual, steadfast trust, constant innovation, and a relentless quest for performance.