PPSS - Experts & Thought Leaders

UK firm PPSS Group have perhaps designed the very first and potentially only EN ISO 20471:2013 certified stab resistant body armour in the UK. This means security professionals would no longer be required to wear a hi-vis vest over commonly used body armour, in environments where it would be crucial. The company claims that in the ever-growing sectors who demand body armour, more and more frontline professionals also require high-visibility workwear. According to PPSS Group, using the right safety workwear is not only important to the wearer, but also the employer, who are required to comply with national, European or sometime international guidelines or directives. High visibility clothing The EN ISO 20471:2013 is the standard for high-visibility clothing. It is the unquestionable benchmark for anyone wishing to design or supply high-visibility clothing. Robert Kaiser, CEO, is making potential customers aware: “Please note that many manufacturers provide an option, which appears to be Hi-Viz, but is not actually certified under EN ISO 20471:2013.” “Our fluorescent Cordura® material boosts visibility during the daylight hours, but more importantly it also increases levels of visibility during the night. This is further maximised by our highly reflective tape, which runs around the body and over the shoulders.” PPSS Group’s latest high visibility stab-resistant body armour also offers thoroughly field-tested and officially certified CAST KR1/SP1 (stab and spike) and VPAM W5 (blunt force/impact) protection.

Based on a comprehensive understanding of most realistic threats faced by homeland and private security professionals, PPSS Group announces an official replacement for their highly acclaimed polycarbonate-based stab resistant body armour. The firm’s product video, featuring the CEO Robert Kaiser being beaten and stabbed wearing the body armour is widely regarded as ‘physical evidence’ of its precise performance level and quality. Forward-thinking solution Kaiser said: “Following years of relentless R&D we have concluded that Polycarbonate as a raw material is, or at some point will no longer be good enough. Its lack of certified spike protection resulted in it becoming ‘morally’ very difficult for us. We learned to accept that improved protection from knives, machetes, razor blades, shanks and indeed spikes was needed.” “We concluded that carbon fibre composites are the only real reliable and forward-thinking solution. Carbon fibre is enabling us to offer truly superior levels of stab protection alongside substantial weight reduction, lower thickness, and finally also fully certified spike protection. This at no extra cost.” Certified spike protection Spike protection has now also become of equal importance to private security professionals According to their CEO, certified spike protection is crucial, especially to correctional and prison officers who face some of the cruellest makeshift weapons, such as shanks and spikes daily. Spike protection has now also become of equal importance to private security professionals, simply due to the type of weapons appearing on the streets in recent years. Comparing it with the company’s highly successful polycarbonate-based stab resistant vests, the new body armour is even lighter, thinner, more effective and more functional. Certified Performance Levels CAST KR1/SP1 Stab & Spike - (CAST Body Armour Standard 2017) NIJ Level 1 Stab & Spike - (NIJ Standard 0115.01) VPAM K1 Stab & Spike - (VPAM KDIW 2004 – Edition 18.05.2011) VPAM I1 ‘Needle Protection’ - (VPAM KDIW 2004 – Edition 18.05.2011) VPAM W1 ‘Impact Protection’ - (VPAM KDIW 2004 – Edition 18.05.2011) Over the past ten years, PPSS Group’s body armour have been offering the most reliable levels of protection from edged, protecting security professionals and law enforcement, prison, immigration, and customs officers worldwide.

PPSS Group's next generation of high-performance body armour is taking personal protection to a completely new-found level. Made from Auxilam, a unique carbon fibre composite material, this latest body armour will protect the wearer from even the most vicious and brutal types of edged weapon and shanks imaginable. Utilising a combination of the incredible strength of carbon fibre, the auxetic properties of Auxilam technology and some additional ‘top secret’ assets derived from the specially developed composite structure, this next generation of body armour offers a truly outstanding balance of weight, protection, performance and durability. Polycarbonate-based stab resistant vests Comparing it with PPSS Group’s highly acclaimed polycarbonate-based stab resistant vests, the company is claiming a reduction of 19% in thickness (utilising a 3.9mm carbon fibre composite) and a 6.6% lower aerial density and reduced weight for its latest development.  Yet, it will be certified to KR2/SP2 according to the UK Home Office Body Armour Standard, as well as NIJ Level 2 (Stab & Spike) and VPAM K2/D2 meaning it will offer a truly significant higher level of knife, spike and needle protection. Thoroughly field tested, the body armour will be made available from 6th January 2020 Body Armour Thoroughly field tested, the body armour will be made available from 6th January 2020. Government agencies and security companies will be able to choose from an array of different styles, ranging from covert, overt to hi viz overt options. Robert Kaiser, CEO of PPSS Group states “Law Enforcement, Border Force, Immigration, Customs and Prison Officers are being attacked by criminals carrying and using knives, machetes, shanks, blunt objects and hypodermic needles every day.” VPAM certified protection He adds, “Our key objective is to protect those men and women even more effectively. Using the very latest in technology and following extensive research and development, our latest body armour is now offering previously absolutely unthinkable levels of protection. It also offers exceptional, VPAM certified protection from blunt objects, effectively reducing the risks of blunt force trauma injuries e.g. internal bleeding.” The UK headquartered firm has been supplying countless of homeland security agencies in countries around the world with their widely respected polycarbonate-based stab resistant vests over the past ten years.