Arms Accessory Manufacturer to Relocate in Rapid City

PIERRE, S.D. – TDI, a company that makes arms accessories, has decided to relocate the majority of its manufacturing operations from Israel to Rapid City, Gov. Mike Rounds announced today.

The company is headquartered in London and produces products such as grips, flashlights, stocks, magazine couplers, knives and body armor used by the military and law enforcement organizations across the world.

"I couldn’t be more excited by TDI’s decision to locate its United States operations right here in South Dakota," Gov. Rounds said. "Companies like TDI are a great addition to our state and prove that South Dakota can compete in the global market."

"Both my wife, Andrea, and I have truly fallen in love with the state," said David Oz, CEO of TDI. "We see the growth potential for a business such as ours and like the attitude, honesty and integrity of South Dakotans."

TDI was brought to South Dakota through the efforts of economic development officials on both the local and state level, as well as a new partnership with Lakota Industries. TDI’s products require various coatings and finishes that Lakota Industries, which recently located in Timber Lake, S.D., is equipped to do with its water-transfer printing.

"With TDI’s expansion, 19 jobs will be brought to Rapid City," said Benjamin Snow, president of the Rapid City Development Corporation. "Anytime you can attract a company of this caliber and bring in high-paying, technical jobs such as these it is exciting."

The Ozs recently spent a week in Rapid City recruiting staff and, the company’s equipment is currently en route to South Dakota.

"We cannot express our gratitude enough and believe that our way of saying 'thank you' is to have a well-run, profitable business, employing as many people as we can and by being a template of excellence in starting a business in South Dakota," Andrea Oz said.

"TDI is a quality manufacturer with quality products, and I’m certain they will make a nice addition to the corporate family of firearms companies we already have in the Black Hills area," said Rapid City Mayor Alan Hanks. "I’m looking forward to watching this company grow."

A grand opening event is in the works for next month.