Historical Overview
Fox Labs, Incorporated was founded in 1992. The intent was to
create and sell the best less-lethal, self defense products available to the civilian
market. In 1993, after investing over $250,000.00 in research, it was determined
that law enforcement agencies could benefit from new, improved formulas and products and
the primary marketing objective was revised. Fox personal did more interviews with
officers from around the country and, working with one of the leading chemists in the
field, created formulas that became industry benchmarks: FOX Premium Aerosol Defense
Sprays.
In 1994 Fox labs became the first company to introduce law
enforcement agencies to a 5% Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) less-lethal, non flammable, aerosol
defense spray in a true 2,000,000 Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) formula.
Simultaneously they introduced 2% formulas using OC rated at 2mm SHU OC and 1% OC & 1%
CS (teargas) formulas-and revolutionized the industry! Other companies followed
the Fox Labs lead by creating formulas of 5.5%, 10% and even greater solutions claiming
that "more was better." This was not and still is not true, although they
still persist in spreading this misinformation. Higher percentages of OC only
increase the recovery time and therefore the liability risks. The actual fact is
there are two things that determine the intensity and effectiveness of an aerosol defense
spray product. First it is then SHU rating and secondly the base ingredients within
the formulas. Fox Premium aerosol defense sprays are still the leaders in these
categories and are used by virtually every type of law enforcement agency and their
officers in addition to civilians from all walks of life all over the world. Because
of their field-proven reliability and extraordinary stopping power Fox Premium aerosol
defense sprays have become legendary amongst the people who use them.
Fox Labs also introduced another unique product in 1994--the Full Safety Holster.
Designed by a police officer for police officers, this incredible and incomparable holster
revolutionized the way an officer could more safely carry and use aerosol defense spray
canisters. The marketplace is full of cheaper, less practical holsters, but there is
still only
one Full Safety Holster.
In January of 1995 Fox Labs introduced another breakthrough product initially designed for
law enforcement: Sudecon® Decontaminate Wipes. Nothing in the world works
like Sudecon.® It has become the leader in aerosol defense spray aftercare because its'
patented formula instantly strips chemical agents (OC, CS & CN) from the skin and
stops the burning of the eyes and skin in 7 to 15 minutes or less! It does this
without water and with the eyes closed! No other product in existence does this more
thoroughly, more consistently or more safely than Sudecon®. And no other
product can claim or live up to these facts. This has been confirmed by tens of
thousands of individuals and by numerous police academies, departments, agencies and the
US Army. Now Sudecon® is also being stocked and used within public schools,
hospitals, fire departments and EMS units. As with the Fox Premium Sprays, Sudecon®
is becoming legendary for its' reliability, quality and unsurpassed effectiveness.
1996 saw the national rollout of the Bad Bob Tactical Target Training System. This
product was designed to give a more realistic impression of engaging a human target during
live-fire training. It has many features, but is unique in that only a shot to the
vital areas of the target's head, neck and chest will cause it to go down. After the
LA bank robbers who were clad in body armor stymied the officers who responded to the
call, we created another version of this exceptional target and named it HeadShot
Bob. This system trains an officer to go to the head if body shots are unsuccessful,
because only accurate and consistantly placed shots to the head can make it go down.
In July of 1997 the company changed its name to Fox Labs International, Incorporated, to
reflect its growing global presence. In just over three years Fox product
sales had spread throughout the United States into Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany,
Mexico and South America--they have even been introduced into Russia. Everyone from
sweet little old ladies to the US Army had used Fox products; their reliability continued
to be unrivaled in all areas and the word-of-mouth continued to spread.
Not content to sit on their laurels and desiring to provide both law enforcement and the
civilian markets with unparalleled education about aerosol defense sprays and
decontamination products, Fox continued to explore new avenues to provide an aerosol
defense spray that would make individuals even safer and more effective when using this
type of product. In August of 1998 they succeeded and again established a new
standard by introducing FIVE POINT THREE, a 2% OC formula rated at a true 5.3
million SHU! FIVE POINT THREE represents a major breakthrough for law enforcement
agencies because it affords all of the unbridled stopping power of higher percentage
formulas while reducing the recovery time and liability concerns associated with other
aerosol defense sprays. As training officers and other decision makers become aware
of this new product and the real benefits it offers, it is expected to change the face of
the aerosol defense spray market just as the introduction of the FOX 5% formula did in
1994.
Fox is continuing to grow and fulfill the needs of civilian and law enforcement
communities, not only by providing superior products but also by giving exceptional
service. As recently as March 1999, Fox was selected by the US Army to provide
products for the peacekeeping troops in central Europe. A rush order was received on
a Friday evening, via e-mail, after all Fox service facilities had shutdown for the
weekend. Even though none of the Fox associates became involved until Monday
morning, the order was completely shipped out by Tuesday afternoon. This is
the first time that Fox had an order this large with such an urgent delivery date.
However, it isn't the first time served the needs of military peacekeeping troops -- they
first did so for the Canadian military in Haiti in 1995-96.
In March of 2001 the president of Fox
Labs met with the president of Pine Tree Law Enforcement Products of Canada, and they
immediately found they shared a philosophy that put making money behind providing
superior quality products and service to law enforcement and military professionals. Based
upon this firm, (and in these times) unique foundation, the two men started working
together to find ways to reach the greatest number of professionals with their superlative
products and training programs. The initial collaboration was to hold the first class for
Fox Labs Defense Spray Master Instructors at Pine Tree's Canadian facility. The
international class included law enforcement professionals from the four corners of the
North American map: Texas at the south, Washington state in the west, North Carolina for
the east, Quebec in the north, and many other areas of both the US and Canada. The class
proved to be a great success and the next step was to wait for the right timing to bring
these two great companies' products and services together for the common good. The tragedy
of September 11th proved to be the catalyst.
Pine Tree had a conceptual blueprint
for a less-lethal weapon that had been shelved for 23 years. With the advent of needing a
less-lethal weapon that could be easily carried and even concealed, yet that would not
cross contaminate passengers, or put a hole in an aircraft, the timing was appropriate to
resurrect the project—The Defender Series 20-Gauge Revolver was born.
Throughout 2001-2002 Fox Labs and
Pine Tree had built a following for the Fox Labs line of superlative defense sprays
throughout Canada. Now, Pine Tree was ready to introduce The Defender to the world. Having
already established a proven successful relationship, Fox Labs was the natural choice to
introduce it to the American market. This natural progression of events led to an
agreement to offer the entire Pine Tree line-up of absolutely incredible products via Fox
Labs International and their distributors.
Pine Tree less-lethal ammunitions
surpass those produced anywhere else today, and they are responsible for innovations like
tail stabilizers for sock rounds and rubber bullets. Their partnership with DuPont and
Bayer to use new technologies for the improvement of less-lethal projectiles has resulted
in improvements that will make the rounds even safer and will continue to revolutionize
the industry.
Their Interlocking Riot Shields,
first developed by Civil Defence, are used widely throughout the world, except in America.
Pine Tree has improved them and Fox Labs International will now enable the U.S. law
enforcement community and military forces to take crowd control and cell extractions to a
new level. These shields are more than tools; they are also safety devices that will
protect officers not only from various projectiles, but even liquids like Molotov
cocktails!
Since 1993, Pine Tree has been
providing custom apparel, accessories, and training equipment to the Canadian law
enforcement community and military forces. Their quality has been proven time after time
after time in real field use and hundreds of classes. They have a reputation on both sides
of the Atlantic for creating custom items, too. Whether it is a specialty vest, holster,
tactical jackets, pants, pouches, coveralls, or virtually anything in the fabric realm,
Pine Tree can provide it to you in a timely and cost effective package. Just one example
is when the Canadian military came to Pine Tree with the complaint that their rain jackets
were too snug to fit over their tactical gear. Pine Tree designed a new version that
combined function with fit and comfort—and did so for a lesser cost than similar
jackets in the market place that didn't offer the same list of great features. Because
Pine Tree has such a sterling reputation, they were selected to be the North American
manufacturer of the superb Peter Jones accessories line. These unique holsters for defense
sprays, expandable batons, and handcuffs are already a proven success in the UK and
Europe. We believe that once used by the North American LE community, they will become a
paramount choice here, too.
The robotics market is still
relatively new to the LE and military communities, although as they have become more
sophisticated, civilian organizations have been using them with greater frequency over the
past decade. Pine Tree has combined the best of the robotics industry with the best in
less-lethal technology to create a robot mounted with cameras, searchlight, and two
20-gauge revolvers making it the first and only product of its kind! Although this is a
specialty item, Fox Labs believes it will become quickly apparent to those that can use it
that this robot will allow officers to do things that heretofore have been unattainable.
Finally, the partnering with Pine
Tree for all of Fox Labs' training will continue to set us apart and above all other
manufacturing companies training courses. The width and breath of these programs are
simply unmatched by any single company currently in the market. When you add the
organizations and individuals that take this training, who are in turn taking it to their
customers, you will see that our network will not take long to expand worldwide and the
philosophy of quality, safety and integrity will spread on its great merits.
So please remember, whether you are a civilian, a police officer, a medic or in the
military, Fox Labs was created to serve you. Fox Labs, their associates and
distributors will continue to do this by providing you with the absolute best products
available in their categories and through research, prompt, quality service and continuing
education. Fox Labs International is a private company. The only people we
have to answer to are you, our customers. As we expand we will remain mindful of
these facts and assure you that we will continue to always put you and your needs
first. You will find that, like you, we take your needs and safety seriously. |
