Zarc International

What Zarc International does

Zarc International, Inc. is a U.S.-based, privately held manufacturer of less-lethal defense products founded in 1982 and headquartered in Minonk, Illinois. The company operates a multi-brand portfolio anchored by the legacy Cap-Stun brand — which pioneered portable pepper spray for military and law enforcement — and the patented VEXOR brand (introduced in 2002), offering non-flammable, Taser-safe water or oil-based OC formulations with up to 1.45% capsaicin concentration. Its technology stack spans Oleoresin Capsicum aerosol formulations, air-powered .68 caliber launcher platforms (APS / X3 / X7), and a portfolio of chemical irritant, marking, training, and kinetic impact projectiles (VPS), with all products manufactured domestically under ISO 9001 quality standards with HPLC testing and ANAB/UKAS laboratory accreditations.

The business serves four primary customer segments: law enforcement and corrections agencies (federal, state, local), the U.S. military (with multiple National Stock Numbers and GSA Contract GS-07F-9602S for federal procurement), private security professionals, and individual consumers seeking personal protection products. Revenue is generated exclusively through one-time unit sales across consumer pepper sprays ($10.95–$35.90), professional-grade OC sprays ($15.50–$86.50), and tactical launcher systems (priced above $200). Distribution spans direct e-commerce (zarc.com), Amazon and Walmart marketplaces, retailer and distributor partner programs, an influencer affiliate program, and direct enterprise sales to government agencies via the GSA Schedule.

The company sells globally across EMEA, NA, LATAM, and APAC regions and maintains an active product roadmap, having launched the VEXOR Venom consumer gel spray and VEXOR Enforcer SD consumer launcher platform in 2025, with additional launcher systems (X5, X7), training systems, and ginger-based irritant sprays slated for 2026. With 11-50 employees, no disclosed outside funding, and 40+ years of continuous operations, Zarc functions as a specialized, family-influenced niche manufacturer with diversified but modest scale, anchored by regulatory credentials and institutional relationships rather than rapid growth dynamics.

Name

Zarc International

Legal name

Zarc International, Inc.

Website

https://zarc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Zarc International is a U.S. manufacturer of less-lethal defense products, including patented VEXOR and Cap-Stun pepper sprays, air-powered launcher platforms, and projectiles, serving law enforcement, military, corrections, security professionals, and consumers across global markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Minonk

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Consumer Pepper Spray Products: Direct-to-consumer sales of personal protection products including Key Guard, Pocket Guard, Mega Guard, and Ultra Guard pepper sprays and gels sold through zarc.com e-commerce platform
2. Professional Law Enforcement Products: Sales of professional-grade less-lethal products to law enforcement, corrections, military, and security agencies including VEXOR Professional, Cap-Stun Professional, and APS/VPS launch platforms
3. Training Products: Inert training sprays and canisters for law enforcement and consumer training purposes, along with decontamination solutions and first aid products
4. Wholesale and Distribution: Wholesale distribution through retailer and distributor partner networks, including sales through major retail platforms
5. Accessories and Gear: Holsters, insert cups, and duty gear accessories for professional pepper spray deployment and carry systems

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Zarc International manufactures and sells less-lethal defense products, primarily pepper sprays and air-powered launcher platforms. Its portfolio spans the consumer-facing VEXOR personal protection line (Key Guard, Pocket Guard, Mega Guard, Ultra Guard, VEXOR Venom, VEXOR Enforcer SD) and professional-grade offerings under the VEXOR Professional, Cap-Stun Professional, APS launcher, and VPS projectile brands. Products are sold to law enforcement, military, corrections, security professionals, and individual consumers worldwide.

Product overview

Zarc International is a manufacturer of less-lethal defense products operating on a multi-brand portfolio architecture. The company produces two primary product lines: Personal Products (VEXOR Personal Protection including Key Guard, Pocket Guard, Mega Guard, Ultra Guard, and VEXOR Enforcer SD launchers) and Professional Products (VEXOR Professional, Cap-Stun Professional, Training Sprays, and Accessories). Professional offerings include integrated platforms: DAS (Defensive Aerosol Solutions), APS (Advanced Propelled Solutions), and VPS (Vexor Projectile Systems). The portfolio also includes Air-Powered Launchers, Less-Lethal Projectiles, Stun Guns, and OEM products. All products are manufactured in the United States with ISO 9001-certified quality control, serving law enforcement, military, security professionals, and responsible citizens worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VEXOR: Professional and personal pepper spray brand introduced in 2002, featuring non-flammable, Taser-safe water or oil-based formulations
• CAP-STUN

Products and services

• VEXOR Venom
• VEXOR Enforcer SD
• Key Guard
• Pocket Guard
• Mega Guard
• Ultra Guard Home Defense
• VEXOR Professional
• Cap-Stun Professional
• Air-Powered Launchers (X3 and X7)
• Less-Lethal Projectiles
• Training Sprays
• Stun Guns
• OEM Products

Quantifiable outcome

• 4-year shelf life from date of manufacture
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIMEC administers the Made in Illinois Grant program and provides practical, hands-on guidance to help manufacturers identify operational improvements with greatest long-term impact. Their team played a major role in guiding Zarc through the grant program and helping chart future improvements.
• City of MinonkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal municipality and economic development partner supporting Zarc operations. Mayor Russell Ruestman and City Administrator Bill Moline advocate for local businesses and jobs in the Minonk community where Zarc has operated since 2005.
• Retailer PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor40+ year partner program for retailers seeking to add high-quality pepper spray products. Zarc has been providing products since 1982 with seamless working relationships for retail inventory.
• Distributor PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner program offering VEXOR pepper sprays as premium choice for personal defense and security distributors. Partners gain access to top-of-the-line products with competitive positioning.
• Influencer PartnersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliate program for influencers passionate about personal safety products. Commission-based promotion of VEXOR consumer pepper sprays with lucrative earning potential.
• JH Industries, Inc.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized manufacturer and distributor of VEXOR products including MK3 Fog (1.33 MC) canisters for professional law enforcement applications.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Axon Enterprise: Axon (formerly TASER International) is the dominant less-lethal weapons manufacturer offering conducted electrical weapons and PepperBall projectile launchers to law enforcement, military, and consumer markets. Direct competitor to Zarc across OC sprays, projectile launchers, and the broader law-enforcement less-lethal category.
• PepperBall: PepperBall makes compressed-air launchers firing OC powder projectiles, used by law enforcement, corrections, and civilians. Directly competes with Zarc's APS launcher and VPS projectile systems across professional and consumer segments.
• Byrna Technologies: Byrna manufactures CO2-powered less-lethal personal defense launchers (SD, HD, Max) and projectiles marketed to civilians and security professionals. Direct competitor to Zarc's VEXOR Enforcer SD and APS launcher platforms in the personal-use stand-off defense category.
• UDAP Industries: UDAP Industries manufactures bear spray and less-lethal defense products for outdoor and personal protection markets. Direct competitor to Zarc in bear-deterrent and personal OC spray categories.
• Mace Brand (Mace Security International): Mace manufactures pepper sprays, stun guns, and personal safety alarms for consumer and professional self-defense markets. Direct competitor to Zarc in consumer OC sprays, stun guns, and personal safety accessories.
• AMTEC Less-Lethal: AMTEC manufactures 40mm and 12-gauge less-lethal munitions used by law enforcement and military. Direct competitor to Zarc in the law enforcement and military less-lethal projectile category.
• SABRE (Security Equipment Corporation): SABRE is a major manufacturer of pepper sprays, gels, and aerosols sold to law enforcement, military, and consumer markets. Direct competitor to Zarc's VEXOR and Cap-Stun product families across consumer, professional, and government channels.
• POM Industries: POM is a manufacturer of POM pepper spray used by U.S. law enforcement agencies and consumers. Direct competitor to Zarc's VEXOR Professional and Cap-Stun Professional OC sprays in the law enforcement and consumer markets.
• Combined Systems Inc. (CSI):
• Defense Technology (a Safariland company): Defense Technology manufactures less-lethal munitions, OC aerosols, and crowd-control products for law enforcement and corrections. Direct competitor to Zarc's professional OC sprays and less-lethal projectile offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ZarcInt
• Facebookfacebook.com/ZarcInternational

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Zarc International