What Fechheimer Brothers does

Fechheimer Brothers Company is a U.S. manufacturer of purpose-built uniforms and tactical gear, founded in 1842 and headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. It operates three domestic manufacturing plants (Cincinnati, OH; Hodgenville, KY; Grantsville, MD) complemented by global manufacturing partners in Central and South America, Europe, and Asia, and sells a portfolio of three registered brands: Flying Cross (premium uniforms for public safety, military, and government), Vertx (tactical bags, backpacks, and everyday-carry gear), and Duke (tactical PT gear). Its primary customers are the U.S. Military, federal government agencies, and public-safety professionals (law enforcement, fire, EMS, postal), with a secondary civilian/tactical-lifestyle segment served through DTC e-commerce on Shopify. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway.

The company monetizes primarily through one-time uniform and apparel sales to institutional and individual buyers, supplemented by recurring end-to-end 'program solutions' for large government customers and brand-licensing/merchandise activity. Go-to-market is hybrid: enterprise field sales direct to military and federal accounts, a dealer/distributor network with public dealer locators for both Flying Cross and Vertx, and direct-to-consumer e-commerce for civilian buyers. Product technology is concentrated in fabric and garment engineering rather than software, with recent innovation centered on the Prime Flex performance stretch uniform, the Lit Safety Vest (NAUMD 'Best Garment Function' 2026), the Vertx Gamut Series (10th-anniversary expansion), and the Vertx Daily Carry Series. No AI/ML, API, or data-platform capabilities are disclosed in the source data, and the technology stack is best characterized as performance fabrics, precision manufacturing, and multi-channel distribution.

Name

Fechheimer Brothers

Legal name

Fechheimer Brothers Company

Website

https://fechheimer.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1846

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Fechheimer Brothers is a 180+ year-old U.S. uniform manufacturer owned by Berkshire Hathaway, operating three domestic plants and three brands (Flying Cross, Vertx, Duke) that supply uniforms and tactical gear to the U.S. Military, federal government, public safety, and civilian markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Uniforms and Tactical Apparel

NAICS

Apparel Manufacturing (315), Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (3159)

SIC

Women's, Misses', And Juniors Outerwear (2330), Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Safety & Law Enforcement Uniforms (CRAAALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Workwear, Uniforms & Safety Apparel Cut & Sew (IMAOAEAC), Outerwear & Cold-Weather Apparel Manufacturers (CRAAAAAI), Outdoor Travel Gear (Duffels, Packs, Dry Bags) Retail (CRAMAAAI), Corporate Uniforms (Office, Hospitality, Retail Staff) (CRAAALAB)

Keywords

• Professional uniforms
• Public safety apparel
• Tactical gear
• Military uniforms
• Performance stretch fabric

Headquarters

HQ city

Cincinnati

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Uniform and Apparel Sales: One-time purchases of uniforms, tactical gear, and apparel for government, public safety, and civilian customers through direct sales, dealer networks, and e-commerce channels.
2. Program Solutions: End-to-end program solutions for large government and institutional customers, suggesting ongoing contractual relationships for uniform provisioning.
3. Brand Licensing and Merchandise: Brand ambassador programs and branded merchandise sales under Flying Cross, Vertx, and Duke brand names.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Fechheimer Brothers Company manufactures and sells premium uniforms, tactical gear, and apparel under three brands: Flying Cross (public safety, military, and civilian uniforms), Vertx (tactical bags and everyday carry products), and Duke (tactical PT gear). The company operates three U.S. manufacturing plants and provides end-to-end uniform program solutions for government and institutional customers.

Product overview

Fechheimer Brothers is a manufacturer of premium uniforms and gear, offering a portfolio of three distinct brands. Flying Cross provides purpose-built uniforms for U.S. Military, federal governments, public safety agencies, and civilian markets. Vertx offers tactical gear including backpacks, sling bags, and everyday carry products for law enforcement and professionals. Duke complements the portfolio with tactical PT gear. The company operates three U.S. manufacturing plants in Cincinnati, Ohio; Hodgenville, Kentucky; and Grantsville, Maryland, with global manufacturing partners in Central and South America, Europe, and Asia. Products are sold through dealer networks for both Flying Cross and Vertx brands.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Flying Cross: Premium uniform brand serving public safety, military, and civilian markets with performance stretch uniforms and tactical gear
• Vertx
• Duke

Products and services

• Flying Cross Uniforms Premium uniform brand serving U.S. Military, federal governments, public safety agencies, and civilian markets. Offers purpose-built apparel including performance stretch uniforms, safety vests, and professional uniforms designed for reliability and performance.
• Vertx Tactical Gear and Bags Tactical gear and bags brand for law enforcement, military, and civilian markets. Offers backpacks, sling bags, and everyday carry products designed for professionals requiring concealed carry and tactical functionality.
• Duke Tactical PT Gear Tactical PT (Physical Training) gear brand offering products for training and fitness activities, complementing the professional uniform offerings from Flying Cross and tactical gear from Vertx.
• Flying Cross Lit Safety Vest Innovative safety vest with illuminated visibility features for public safety professionals. Won NAUMD award for 'Best Garment Function'.
• End-to-End Uniform Program Solutions End-to-end program solutions for large government and institutional customers, providing ongoing contractual relationships for uniform provisioning and procurement.

Quantifiable outcome

• 81% employee satisfaction rate on Great Place to Work survey, 24 points above U.S. average
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Lena MiculekminorOthers · 20 January 2026World champion shooter Lena Miculek serves as a brand ambassador for Vertx, hosting meet-and-greets at SHOT Show 2026. Brand ambassadors help promote products through demonstrations and engagement with the shooting and tactical community.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• 5.11 Tactical: Direct competitor in tactical apparel, uniforms, and bags for law enforcement, military, and civilian markets; overlaps heavily with Flying Cross and Vertx across product categories and dealer channels.
• Safariland Group: Major competitor in law enforcement and public safety gear including holsters, body armor, and tactical apparel; direct overlap with Fechheimer's public safety and tactical product lines.
• Propper International: Manufacturer of military and public safety uniforms and tactical apparel; competes directly with Flying Cross for military and federal contracts.
• Blauer Manufacturing: Public safety uniform and outerwear manufacturer known for performance fabrics and high-visibility apparel; directly competes with Flying Cross in law enforcement and EMS uniforms.
• Elbeco: Manufacturer of public safety uniforms and duty apparel serving law enforcement and fire/EMS; comparable scale and customer base to Fechheimer.
• First Tactical: Tactical apparel and gear manufacturer serving law enforcement, military, and civilian markets; competes with both Flying Cross uniforms and Vertx tactical gear.
• Blackhawk Products Group: Tactical gear, bags, and apparel brand owned by Safariland; directly competes with Vertx in tactical bags and EDC categories.

Broad incumbents

• Horace Small / VF Solutions: VF Corporation's public safety and uniform division (parent of brands like Horace Small and others); broader apparel conglomerate with overlapping public safety uniform offerings.
• Point Blank Enterprises: Broader public safety and defense solutions provider (body armor, protective gear); adjacent competitor with overlap in law enforcement and government procurement channels.

Emerging players

• Mystery Ranch: Premium tactical and military backpack brand; competes with Vertx Gamut Series in the tactical/military bag market with strong brand positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/vertx
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@vertx_official
• Facebookfacebook.com/fechheimerbrotherscompany
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fechheimer
• Instagraminstagram.com/flyingcrossofficial

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Fechheimer Brothers