Take 5 with TYR Tactical’s C-Suite, Jason Beck, Kevin Hull & Mike Works

TYR Tactical’s President & CEO Jason Beck, CFO Kevin Hull, and Director of Operations Mike Works "took five" with First American's Amy Weader to discuss the power of technology in their industry and why their people are, and have always been, at the center of their success. Read more below:

Amy: Thank you for joining me today. I’m honored that you all made the time! I’ve so enjoyed working with you, but the readers don’t know you yet so let’s start off with introductions and how you got started at TYR Tactical. 

Mike: Sure, I’m the Director of Operations and I’ve been working for TYR for almost 9 years now. I also worked with Jason at his previous company, so I’ve been in the industry for almost 16 years.

Kevin: My career started with 30 years in banking, the last 17 at the Bank of Montreal. For the past 7 or 8 years, I worked with Jason and TYR Tactical as their banker and then made the decision to come on board as CFO. I am still extremely grateful for the opportunity to come work on the same side of the table. We have a lot to look forward to here.

Jason: My background is a more of an entrepreneur story. I was a combat instructor and that inspired me to start my own business around combat and defense. In 2001, it took off. When that happened, it sunk in that I could have an impact on more lives by running a business than doing anything else. That company continued to grow, and I eventually sold it because I was losing the personal connections with the employees and customers that I loved. In my next venture, I committed to focusing on the culture, the core customer connection and the design of the product.

That’s how I started TYR Tactical, and it’s been really enjoyable to grow this business. We have tried to take a slow and steady approach with consistent growth year over year.

Amy: Thank you all for sharing. So, how have you managed staying close to your employees as you grow?

Jason: As a private owner, my wife and I feel that it’s our responsibility to do everything we can to take care of our people. We make sure that they’re growing personally and professionally, that they have medical benefits, we offer ESL classes, whatever they need. As long as the business breaks even, making sure we have a great place to work is the priority.

Kevin: To add to that point, it’s a really special feature of our culture here. Employees from Jason’s first company have actually followed him to TYR. We have a few employees that have been working for him for years and now their kids work here too. I think it speaks volumes about the type of leader he is.

Jason: Thanks, Kevin. With our expansion as well, we’re adding 42,000 square feet in one of the most state-of-the-art hard armor facilities in the world. That’s going to add employees, and we’re thinking of that new workforce and planning for how we’re going to continue to take care of everyone and keep this place going strong. Since we’re an essential business, and we have a lot of contracts involving the government and law enforcement, we need everyone to be healthy and ready to fulfill those important commitments. 

Amy: I can tell that taking care of your employees is one of the values that guides you. What else shapes your leadership strategy?

Jason: Servant leadership. I strongly believe that if we serve those who are serving us, then they will do a great job at work and produce a better product.

This philosophy came from when I first started my business in Vidalia, Georgia. I had a working prototype, interested buyers, and I needed to hire a team to ramp up production. I met this wonderful seamstress, Joyce. Her story was really incredible. She was from Southern Missouri and had been working since 8th grade. Over her career she had become one of the most accomplished sewers I’ve ever seen. She had such an eye for the strength and quality in the product. I hired her and she took careful pride to pass on her knowledge to everybody she trained.

She taught me skills outside of sewing as well. In particular, how to deal with people. She’s the one who instilled in me that even though I have all of this energy and passion for production and the business, I still need to take in the big picture of everyone who works with me. She would remind me that people have kids, and problems, and things going on at home that I needed to keep in mind when I was leading.

She has passed away now, but I consider myself so lucky that I got to experience that time with her and receive all the wisdom she passed down to me. In all honesty, I’ve been able to build a great company because of her.

Amy: That is such a touching story. It’s clear she was a crucial part of building this strong culture you have now. What else would you say makes TYR Tactical unique?

Mike: I can take this one, I think what makes us unique is our synergy. We really enjoy what we do, which is so important. There’s always going to be success to be had in the business, but to be fulfilled is another thing. We are a fast-moving company and we have been careful to hire the right people that can work together to keep that pace. As we’ve started growing more quickly, that team chemistry and synergy is still a priority. It translates from the boardroom, all the way to the floor. We’ve had employees here since day 1, and some who have grown with the business and moved up to take on new roles and leadership opportunities. That’s where our investment in things like training and second language classes proves our commitment as well. Those leaders do a better job than anyone because they know the business inside and out. It creates a special feel when you walk into our space. I think you can feel that everyone is connected and committed to creating a high-quality product.

Kevin: I can speak to that as well. When I first started, I spent a few weeks on the floor to learn the manufacturing process and what goes into what they do. The thing that struck me the most was the ownership that each person took in everything. They use the words “my” or “mine”, not “the company”. We make the comment often that every single stitch is a lifesaving stitch. You can see that it resonates with folks and they take it very, very seriously.

Also, our company motto is “Innovate or Die” and I think that’s the other thing that makes us unique. The amount of time that it takes us to go from a concept or request from a client to out in the field is something I have not seen another company be able to replicate in my 30 years in the market.

Amy: I remember seeing those signs around the office when I visited a few years ago. That spirit of innovation is definitely apparent. Which leads me to my last question: what is your take on your future and technology and automation in the industry?

Jason: What we’re doing in the expansion kind of says it all. That involves next generation technology that, to us, really represents a generational jump in the body armor space. We came up with a 5-year and 10-year plan based on what we think our customers need short term and what we think they will need in the future. Most of the heavy equipment in our industry has been around for 40 years. For us to reach the 10-year vision that we set out, it was a no brainer to acquire brand new equipment that has so much more technical capacity and the ability to evolve with us.

For the more high-skilled areas of our operation, it looks different, but there is still a place for innovation. For things like cutting and sewing, we’ve implemented technology that minimizes the risk of injury like carpal tunnel for their posture and hands, and lasers that help with alignment of the materials. Even things like better lighting and the right chairs are important. You can upgrade a lot of those little things so that your people are able to focus on taking the product to the next level.

Kevin: As far as the future, I don’t think it could be brighter for us. The investment that we’ve made is game-changing. And that’s not a statement I make lightly. In this business, as hard as we’re trying to develop a product that’s able to protect lives, there are others out there creating stronger projectiles. Having this kind of equipment and capacity for technology allows us to get years ahead and way out in front of any anticipated changes in the threat level.

Amy: It’s been so fulfilling to hear all of your stories and these experiences today. Thank you all again for taking the time, I’m so glad to be able to work with you all and support the important products you make.

Kevin: It’s been our pleasure to work with you as well. Thank you, Amy! 

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