By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
STATE OF THE CITY FEB. 26
5.11 Tactical founder is speaking at Manteca event along with Mayor Cantu
511 tactical.JPG

Dan Costa — the founder of 5.11 Tactical that established a distribution center in Manteca — along with Mayor Ben Cantu will headline the third annual State of the City set for Tuesday, Feb. 26, at the Manteca Transit Center.

The event staged by the Manteca Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the City of Manteca includes meet and greet breakfast from 7:30 to 8 a.m. followed by awards and the program from 8 to 9 a.m. Tickets are $15 and are available at www.manteca.org or by calling 209-823-6121.

5.11 Tactical moved into a 404,657-square-foot distribution center in the CenterPoint Business Park on Airport Way in northwest Manteca in 2018.

The firm that had operations in Modesto and Lathrop they wanted to consolidate as well as better position themselves for growth as well as being located where they could meet demanding global distribution needs had originally explored the Midwest for their new distribution center. There is also a 5.11 Tactical retail store at the distribution center.

 They were able to find the location in Manteca that was close to critical transportation infrastructure to support the firm’s global clientele that need gear immediately. By staying in the 209 it preserved 217 existing jobs and opening the door for possible new employment positions.

Besides combining existing warehouses under one roof to streamline logistics the Manteca location has a second phase that will allow for 134,500 square feet of expansion.

The firm had just 5 employees 15 years ago. Today there are 551 employees worldwide. Their foray back into the company’s roots several years of supplying recreation enthusiasts is helping send their annual global sales past the $300 million mark. They have started expanding into retail locations with 13 stores so far with an aggressive game plan to open one to two stores a month over the next few years.

They offer more than 900 products with more than 13,000 distinct type of items for sale.  The firm’s products run the gamut from clothing, gloves, boots, holsters, knives, watches, and slings, to packs. Their products are used by law enforcement, private military contractors, the Armed Forces, and civilian customers ranging from shooters and hunters to hikers and backpackers.

Costa bought Royal Robbins, a 30-year outdoor clothing firm based in Modesto. He sold that company to Phoenix Footwear in 2003 after spinning off the 5.11 Tactical brand to create what is considered to be the world’s first line of tactical clothing. Costa sold majority ownership in 2007.

The Modesto native has since started other more performance apparel companies including Noble Outfitters. The firm’s products are available in over 2,500 stores.

Costa’s business career started in 1976 when he opened a 60-seat restaurant in Modesto as a 23-year-old. Within 10 years he had 30 Velvet Creamery restaurants.

 

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com