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UK Gear have a unique association with The Army Physical Training Corps, the elite fitness professionals of The British Army. They are closely involved in the development of our products before wear testing them in some of the most demanding conditions on Earth. Only when approved by The British Army do we consider our products... built to survive.

Birmingham Post - Army helps UK Gear invade US stores

>>16 May 2006

A Warwickshire sports brand has signed a deal to sell training shoes bearing the British Army's logo in the United States.

Nuneaton-based UK Gear will now supply one of America's largest sporting retailers, Dicks Sporting Goods, as well as independent outlets throughout the country.

UK Gear launched its PT-03 training shoe in the UK in 2004-first commercial product ever to be designed and developed in association with the British Army.

The official US launch took place in New York, where David Hinde, founder and managing director of UK Gear Ltd, and two senior British Army officers held a press conference for US media.

The deal is expected to be valued at more than $1 million in the first year, and could rise even further.
Before the launch, senior non-commissioned officers from the Army Physical Training Corps have been touring across the US, introducing staff at Dicks Sporting Goods to the PT-03, and explaining how UK Gear earned the right to produce the first and only training shoes bearing the British Army's famous crossed swords insignia.

American armed services have also embraced the arrival of UK Gear's training shoes, selling them to troops through their PX stores. The shoe has now been put on trial at 43 of Dick's 300 stores across the country, while 15 shops have sold out.

After this initial success, Mr Hinde said more stores were taking on the shoes, which were worn by Wilson Komen, the winner of the San Diego marathon.

Mr Hinde said: "The US is a notoriously challenging market to break into but our unique relationship with the British Army and reputation for quality has secured the company a strong foothold in this highly competitive market.

"Our American customers recognise the importance of purpose designed specialist equipment and respect the fact that our first allegiance is to the true fitness enthusiast.Everything we develop is designed for the function not for fashion"

"I think we have proven that, with an excellent product and the right approach, a British company can succeed in the US market."

Mr Hinde said the success could ulimately be worth millions of pounds to his firm, which employs 15 people.
UK Gear designs and tests the shoes in Nuneaton and manufactures them in Vietnam.

"Getting into America has been the firm's ambition since we started in 1993," said Mr Hinde.
"The American market is the biggest sports shoe market in the world, so to make an entry like this is brilliant."

Meanwhile his firm has extended its relationship to supply the German armed forces with the shoe for two more years in a £1.4 million deal. The company is also negotiating with other armed forces to supply their shoe, although Mr Hinde would not reveal their identities.