Are your products certified, and to which standards are they manufactured/certified?
All the products we make are manufactured to meet many of the international ballistic standards and protocols, including US-NIJ and MIL-STD, UK-HOSDB, German-SK, Swedish-RPS, French MOI, and NATO-STANAG. They are tested and certified at recognised ballistic test houses, such as USTL, H.P. White, Mellrichstadt and Cranfield University. We also use Wiltshire Ballistic Services for product development and customer trials of our products.
Do you make custom products for your customers?
We can manufacture products according to a customer’s specific design brief. Alternatively, our product development team can work with individual customers to turn their design concept into a custom finished product.
Are there any restrictions on purchasing your products?
Our products are covered by UK Government, EU and US export license regulations, which restrict where and to whom we can export them. We have open export licenses for a number of countries, such as NATO member countries. In all other instances we have to make formal export license applications, which also require us to submit an End User Certificate, to the appropriate governmental authority, and await their issuance of an export license.
What are the lead times for the supply of your products?
All our products are made to order for our customers. In most instances the lead time is 30-45 days. However, for large requirements please check with your regional sales manager for lead time quotes. You can also contact your regional sales manager for up-to-date shipping lead times.
What is the warranty period on your products?
The armor components of our products have a five year warranty period. All other components have an eighteen month warranty period, subject to them being properly cared for and looked after. Please refer to our standard terms and conditions of warranty, which are available on request.
What quality control procedures do you follow?
United Shield is an ISO 9001:2008 and 14001:2004 certified company, and quality control and assurance are at the heart of everything that we do, given the critical life saving importance of our products.
What are your normal payment terms?
Our standard payment terms are net 30 for approved customers. Credit applications are available upon request.
Where are your products manufactured?
The vast majority of our products are manufactured at our factory in Andover, Hampshire, UK and our soft armor is manufactured in the USA. However, components such as para aramids (Twaron and Kevlar) and high molecular weight polyethelyne (Dyneema and Spectrashield) are bought in from a wide variety of suppliers in the USA, UK and overseas. All our suppliers are carefully vetted to ensure compliance with our quality procedures, and all products that we purchase go through our factory and are subject to inspection and testing when they are delivered to us, in order to ensure quality assurance of products that we manufacture and supply.
Can I order a sample before I place an order with you?
Yes, samples can be ordered. However, they will need to be paid for on confirmation of sample order, or prior to despatch. The cost of a sample may be able to be credited against the placement of a subsequent order, depending on the value of that order. Please contact us to enquire about the cost and availability of samples. Please contact your regional sales rep for sample requests
Is it possible to visit your premises?
Yes, visitors are always welcome, but please contact us beforehand in order that we can confirm a convenient date and time.
Can your body armour stop knives and spikes, as well as bullets?
Yes, we have many different armor configurations available as overt overvests and covert undervests providing anti-stab protection, in addition to ballistic protection vests. Generally speaking, the higher and broader the level of protection afforded by the vest, the stiffer and heavier the solution.