Whether it’s a Martial Artist honing body and mind with every kick and punch, a Law Enforcement or Corrections Officer training for or facing threatening encounters, or an Industrial Designer working to create the best product possible, they’re all looking for the same thing . . . an edge. That’s why our R&D Department keeps pushing our products beyond old limits -- to find the vital advantage our customers demand.

We believe that “good enough” . . . well, just isn’t good enough. Our researchers and developers are innovators who continually reinvent our products. Macho Martial Arts Sparring Gear has long been recognized throughout the industry for raising and setting all the standards: in design excellence, use of lab testing, and, most importantly, in safety. Our patented headgear ear-release canal technology to protect the eardrums is but one of our innovative industry standards.

The Martial Arts Division of Macho represents the company’s historic founding in 1980 and its philosophical foundation. Our success and dominance in researching, designing, and manufacturing Martial Arts Sparring Gear -- to enable safer training and competition -- led us to explore new markets – and led other markets to explore us and our capabilities. As specialists in foam technology and blunt trauma protection, our R&D experts applied this expertise, at the request of the United States Secret Service, to develop blunt trauma protection for Law Enforcement training. Today, our RedMan Training Gear is the most recognized and respected brand in Law Enforcement and Corrections.

Still, the R&D Department is relentless. Conquering Martial Arts and Law Enforcement was not enough. They’ve experimented with thermoformed plastics, heat-laminating materials to foam, vinyl-dipping, spray and flow coatings, celluform molding, industrial cutting and sewing, injection-molded cross-linked polyethylene/EVA and have created products to serve the medical, sports and consumer markets.

Today, R&D continues to push the limits. The introduction of MDI Products, OEM manufacturing of injection-molded cross-linked polyethylene/EVA, is our way of extending this expertise in foam manufacturing to serve an endless array of markets. As the only company in the United States with this technology, MDI has produced spa pillows, small tires and baby-seat arm rests, to name a few. R&D is currently working on new, softer compounds and other materials to serve the automotive industry.

Why are we so dedicated to improving ourselves? Because we’re just like our customers.