Mustang Survival News

Kenny Ballard has been appointed Mustang Survival’s new President, taking over responsibilities from Juanita Killen, who stepped into the role of Interim President in 2023. Additionally, Lance Richardson takes on the newly created role of VP, Manufacturing and Innovation for the Wing Group, Mustang Survival’s parent company.Ballard brings a wealth of experience from previous executive roles with renowned brands, including Osprey, SwissGear, Wenger Outdoor, Kelty, and, most recently, his own successful consulting firm.

Last week, Jason Leggatt, President of Mustang Survival, and Andrew Branagh, CEO of The Wing Group, announced together that Leggatt has resigned from his daily management position as President.Leggatt will become a member of the Board following his departure, enabling him to provide the Board counsel and strategic guidance for The Wing Group and the Mustang Survival business in a governance role.The Wing Group/Mustang Survival has commenced the search process for a new business unit President engaging the executive recruiting firm Boyden Canada.

Decades of innovation has earned Wing Inflatables its place among top manufacturers of sponsons, tubes, collars and rubber craft. While the company maintains this reputation today, the Wing Group has also grown beyond it after an ownership switch set in motion a number of major changes that have helped to both expand the company and alter its DNA.In past decades, under the leadership of founder and now-former owner Bill Wing, the California company and its polyurethane rafts and air-holding tubes, and later air/foam hybrid collar, had revolutionized the rigid inflatable industry.

The Safariland Group (“Safariland”), a provider of a diverse range of safety and survivability products for the public safety, military, professional and outdoor markets, has announced that it completed the divestiture of Mustang Survival, Inc. and its related entities (“Mustang”) to the WING Group, a leading manufacturer of inflatable sponsons, small combat craft, whitewater rafting solutions, life rafts, and marine doors and windows. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Mustang Survival is pleased to launch an improved Ocean Commander immersion suit to the Canadian marketplace; the first immersion suit to receive Transport Canada, MED, and SOLAS approvals. After research and tests, this launch also marks the return of the long-trusted Ocean Commander immersion suit for sailors, offshore boaters, fisherman and other commercial marine workers alike. The new Ocean Commander (Model #OC8003 HR) is constructed of a high visibility fluorescent yellow-green shell material, building off the findings of a recent study led by Mustang Survival’s research department.

Mustang Survival’s First Responder Water Rescue Kit (MRK110) has been updated to include an M.I.T. 100 Inflatable PFD, replacing the belt pack inflatable. The M.I.T. 100 provides added safety and performance features over the belt pack. •An M.I.T. 100 Inflatable PFD (MD2014) to protect the officer. The M.I.T. 100 is a collar-style PFD that inflates manually when the activation cord is pulled. •A patented Rescue Stick (MRD100) to stabilize the victim. The Rescue Stick is a high-accuracy, throwable buoyancy aid that inflates automatically upon water contact. •A Throw Bag (MRD175) to retrieve the victim. The throw bag includes 75’ of floating polypropylene rope. •A drop-tested, impact resistant, air and watertight Pelican case. This case meets military, ATA and federal specifications.

The acquisition marks the Safariland Group’s entrance into marine and aviation industries. The Safariland Group, a manufacturer of protective products and equipment primarily for law enforcement and the military, has acquired Mustang Survival and its related entities, Mustang Survival Inc. and Mustang Survival Mfg., Inc. Mustang Survival is the North American market leader in lifesaving equipment for recreational, military, law enforcement and industrial users in the marine and aviation environments. For more than 45 years, Mustang Survival has been transforming innovative ideas and technologies into high-quality and practical lifesaving products such as inflatable personal flotation devices…

The Safariland Group, a  manufacturer of protective products and equipment primarily for law enforcement and the military, has acquired Mustang Survival and its related entities, Mustang Survival Inc. and Mustang Survival Mfg., Inc. (collectively, “Mustang Survival”). Mustang Survival is in the North American market for lifesaving equipment for recreational, military, law enforcement and industrial users in the marine and aviation environments. For more than 45 years, Mustang…

Problem With Mustang Inflatable PFD's. The Coast Guard has become aware of certain Mustang Survival Inflatable PFDs with Hammar MA1 hydrostatic (HIT) inflation systems which may not inflate and require a new re-arm kit to properly inflate by manual or automatic activation. This safety alert identifies which products are affected. Certain inflatable PDFs may be subject to delayed or non-inflations. To determine if you are impacted please follow the instructions below. If you have a re-arm kit MA7214 or MA7218 you need only to check the lot number on the CO2 cylinder label.

In keeping with Mustang Survival’s commitment to the highest levels of quality and safety, we are notifying the public of an urgent advisory for specific Hydrostatic inflatable PFDs manufactured during April and May of 2012. A portion of these PFDs may be subject to delayed or non-inflations. The potentially affected products were made in Canada during April and May of 2012. If your PFD falls into this category we recommend you visit www.mustangsurvival.com/HIT or call 1-800-526-0532 for further information. The model number, manufacturing location and date of manufacture is printed on the white approval label on the back of the PFD. All other Mustang Survival inflatable PFD products are not part of this advisory.

Mustang Survival Announces New Commercial/Industrial Business Development Director. Mustang Survival is pleased to announce that Shannon Ward has been appointed to the role of Director of Recreation & Commercial Business Development. Ward has been the Director of Recreation Business Development since 2009, leading the company’s strategic business development partnerships and long term strategy for the market. Now, with adding responsibility for the commercial and industrial markets to her portfolio…

RECALL NOTICE ON MD2010 & MD2012 model 22LB Inflatable Personal Flotation Devices. The United States Coast Guard strongly urges mariners and boaters alike to check their Mustang Survival PFDs. Mustang Survival is voluntarily recalling all model number MD2010 and MD2012 This recall is being issued for the inspection and repair of an inflator installation inconsistency thatSurvival has developed a solution that corrects any affected product and prevents re-occurrence of this issue. The inspection and repair can only be performed at a Mustang Survival factory. This recall notification is for only the MD2010 and MD2012 22LB buoyancy inflatable PFDs. No other Mustang Survival products are affected as they utilize different inflator mechanisms.

Mustang Survival has been awarded a long term contract to supply the United States Coast Guard (USCG) with lightweight and heavy duty dry suits. The contract, with a ceiling value of $20m over five years, will provide USCG boat crews with Mustang’s new Sentinel Series of lightweight and heavy duty dry suits for use in a variety of mission-critical operations including Search & Rescue, maritime law enforcement and maintaining Aids To Navigation. http://www.mustangsurvival.com/professional/coast-guard

Mustang Survival is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a long term contract to supply the United States Coast Guard (USCG) with lightweight and heavy duty dry suits. The contract, with a ceiling value of $20 million dollars over five years, will provide USCG boat crews with Mustang’s new Sentinel™ Series of lightweight and heavy duty dry suits for use in a variety of mission-critical operations including Search & Rescue, maritime law enforcement and maintaining Aids To Navigation. The dry suits selected by the USCG are members of Mustang Survival’s Sentinel series, the newest and most innovative dry suit platform designed with exclusive Mobility Based Sizing™ and Rapid Repair Technology™.

Mustang Survival's Michael Grupa will be transitioning from his current role as Director of Business Development, Professional, to join the Sales team as Director of Sales – US Professional & Military Major Accounts. Grupa joined Mustang Survival in 2009 and has been instrumental in shifting Mustang’s focus from selective markets in the first responder and commercial/ industrial marine categories to becoming an industry leader and full-line supplier of flotation and thermal protection products in these market categories. Mustang has also promoted Brian Milligen from Canadian National Sales Manager to Director of Sales, US Recreation & Canada Recreation/Professional markets.

Mustang Survival's first inflatable lifejacket is now available. The MD3157 is the first inflatable approved and certified as a lifejacket by Transport Canada and was designed for use in severe marine environments. The MD3157 was designed to self-right a faced-down person in seconds and provide increased in-water visibility. It also features a lightweight design and advanced inflation technology, designed to provide the wearer with improved mobility and comfort. The ability to  maneuver quickly and freely is especially critical to those users who provide assistance during emergency situations. The MD3157’s compact design also makes for easier storage and accessibility on vessels where carriage of a lifejacket is required. • Hydrostatic Inflation Technology (HIT™).

Mustang Survival announced the completion of the executive management succession plan. This strategic initiative was first announced in October 2009, with the goal to successfully realign key executive roles and operation teams by January 2011. As of January 1st, 2011, Bob Askew, former Mustang Survival President and Chief Executive Officer will become Mustang’s Chairman to its newly formed Advisory Board, and Jim Hartt, former Mustang Survival Chief Operating Officer, will become Mustang’s CEO. The 15 month succession plan was a key component to the company’s long term business strategy to continue evolving and building its market position as the industry leader in the design…

Mustang Survival unveiled its "Go Pro, Go Mustang" campaign with a line-up of new products, new pricing and new service targets. The campaign has been put together in response to shifting market conditions and competitive assessments. Go Pro, Go Mustang kicks off a strategic shift for the company to adapt its business operations to better serve the professional market. The first two products being added to the offering are an Inflatable Work Vest and a neoprene cold water immersion suit. Also new to the product line are a series of Water Rescue Kits enabling quick action to save lives while protecting the rescuer's life in the process. Tactical Side Pouch Inflatable Life Preservers have also been released for the law enforcement community. (www.mustangsurvival.com/professional)