Alaska Gear Company receives state award

Alaska Gear Company received the 2024 Made in Alaska Manufacturer of the Year award by the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.

Their commitment to creating high-quality products while working with a variety of local businesses to manufacture products used globally has helped them to receive this prestigious award.

“Every year, we are proud to recognize one of our Made in Alaska permit holders whose work reflects the strength, creativity, and resilience of Alaska’s manufacturing community. This award honors the Alaska Gear Company as they have met challenges head-on, grown with vision, embraced innovation, served their community, and built strong partnerships across Alaska,” Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development Commissioner Julie Sande said in a press release.

Alaska Gear Company is most commonly known for its aviation products, four-season hot tents and cold-weather outdoor gear. The company works out of three locations: Palmer, Anchorage and Fairbanks. The Palmer facility employs nearly 60 of the 100 employees throughout the entire company and all of the aviation products and half of their sewing occurs in Palmer.

Alaska Gear Company Owner and CEO Sean McLaughlin attributes the success of their products to the innovators and problem solvers that find solutions to issues that are uniquely Alaskan. The business is then built around the manufacturing of those products for a global market. And to do all of that from Alaska with local employees and local businesses, is the biggest challenge of all.

“I think the thing that really sets is apart is that we exist at all,” McLaughlin said. “It’s not a common thing to see. Building stuff here and servicing the world from here is relatively unique.”

McLaughlin said that the staff that manage and operate the facilities are the ones who deserve and appreciate the award just as much if not more than he does. The award is a recognition of their efforts.

“We have a hard working staff that makes a lot of products here and I think they like being recognized and I think it excites them and they appreciate being recognized,” McLaughlin said.

Alaska Gear Company has acquired several smaller companies to create one large Alaskan-focused manufacturer. They continue to partner with locally owned businesses for tasks such as powder coating, welding, sewing and embroidery.

They recently shared a new line of their updated Bunny Boots for this winter - their modern take on the classic military-style, cold-weather boots first launched last year. New models for this season incorporate more style for everyday wear, as well as heavier, warmer and more durable pairs for cold temperatures and winter labor.

The company also recently released two new hot tent options to fill a need for an affordable, yet durable tent solution.

Alaska Gear Company is giving back and immersing themselves within their community by hosting school tours of their facilities and by attending local events.

“I hope our story… will inspire other people to build manufacturing companies up here of scale and not think it’s impossible,” McLaughlin said. “I think a lot of people spend a lot of time thinking about how impossible it's going to be as opposed to just getting down and trying to figure it out.”