Honoring Charles Blauer
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Charles Blauer, longtime owner and president of Blauer Manufacturing, on October 18th, 2024. Charlie was not only the driving force behind Blauer Manufacturing for many decades but also a beloved leader and innovator within the uniform industry, and a beloved family man.
Under Charles’s leadership since joining Blauer Manufacturing in 1958, the name Blauer has become synonymous with high-quality protective apparel and pioneered innovations; from the first-ever reversible, high visibility raincoat for police officers to the revolutionary adoption of UltraTech seams in outerwear which set a new standard for waterproof protection. In order to keep up with demand, Charles and the company opened up their second factory in Missouri which continues to operate to this day, before later opening 3 more factories in the early 90's with his son, Michael. In the 1980s, Charlie made Blauer a mainstay at the Network Association of Uniform Manufacturers & Distributors, actively participating in committees and working groups that helped shape industry standards. His passion for public safety extended beyond manufacturing—he was a staunch advocate for improved protective equipment and uniform functionality, driving the industry’s evolution. A captain in the U.S. Air Force, Charlie also held deep commitments to civic and community service, supporting local organizations and mentoring young professionals within the industry.
Well loved by his family, friends, employees and beyond- Charles truly cherished the relationships he built at Blauer Manufacturing. His commitment to maintaining a safe, welcoming workplace was a reflection of how much he valued and cared for the people he worked with. His legacy lives on not only in Blauer Manufacturing’s continued success but also in the safety and professionalism of those who wear its products, and the hearts of all those lucky enough to have known him.
Top Left Image: A young Charles Blauer
Top Right Image: Charles Blauer, left with his brother Maurice, right
Bottom Image (From Left to Right): Stephen Blauer, Charles Blauer, Maurice Blauer & Michael Blauer
For 64 years, Charles Blauer was the beloved husband of the late Claire A. (Costa) Blauer. Loving father of Robin Blauer & the late Jeffrey Hall, Michael Blauer, Sharyn & Bruce Proia, Stephen & Colleen Blauer, Gail Blauer & the late Mitchal Miller, and Bill Blauer. Adored grandfather of Penny, Mark, Sam, Nicholas, Michael, Emily, Adam, Alexandra, Amanda, Paige, Emma, Max, Zack and Harrison and great grandfather of Samantha, Travis, Lucas, Gabriella, Amelia, Natalie, Ella, Summer, Camden, Hunter, Rowen, Savanna, Layla and Leo. Dear brother of the late Esther Caslowitz and Aaron, Harris and Maurice Blauer.
As the company enters its fourth generation of this family owned business, Blauer Manufacturing has become a cornerstone of the public safety industry since its foundation in 1936. The company’s gear is widely trusted by law enforcement, firefighters, EMS personnel, and other public safety professionals, reflecting a dedication to durability, comfort, and safety.
Shop Blauer Duty Bags + Police Bags
Shop Blauer Knives + EDC Gear
Shop Blauer Duty + Molle Gear
Shop Blauer Hats + Blauer Gloves
Shop Blauer Duty Belts + Police Belts
· Offensive spots or staining on your hi vis shirt or hi vis jacket can be treated with a stain stick or with spraying or soaking with a citrus fabric cleaner such as Simple Green. Like any stain on clothing, it is best to deal with it as soon as possible. When grease and dirt are ground into the fabric, they will be more difficult to remove and can compromise the reflectivity if unaddressed.
· Wash and dry your hi vis clothes according to what is recommended on the label. In the case of our Blauer Hi Vis Bomber Jacket we recommend on our label that the jacket be washed on a gentle cycle using cold water before being tumble dried in low heat which can help restore the water repellency (beading) on the surface of the jacket. Be aware that long exposed high heat as well as chemicals found in fabric softeners and dry-cleaning operations may damage the reflectiveness of your hi visibility garment, as well as any seam-sealed waterproof pockets or features often found in hi vis raincoats.
· Lastly, hang up wet items to air dry before storing them as black mold and mildew will begin to grow quickly on the surface (mold, for example, is almost impossible to remove entirely from Hi-Vis fabrics and can cause health issues). Your hi vis vests or clothing should be completely dry before use and stored in a low heat area. If you’re wet on the road as police officers or first responders often are, hang it up in the vehicle until a drier spot can be found. After many years of service, we have occasionally seen the pigments in certain older fluorescent fabrics “let go” and start to bleed out reducing their brightness (not a problem with newer hi vis vest technology.) This could be caused by such things as storing a raincoat in a hot car trunk, or from long exposed oxidation caused by ozone in the air.
3. Zip-In to Combine & Customize.
The right combination will provide long lasting protection against extremes in wet or bone chilling cold. The secret is the matching inner zipper which mates with the liner zippers making every System Outerwear inner liner compatible with every Blauer outer shell jacket. In extreme cold-weather conditions, the addition of the insulated inner liner to the outer shell jacket will provide superior warmth with breathability. During intense storms, the addition of your outer shell to your softshell fleece offers full weather-proofing against wind and wind driven rain.
Explore All System Outerwear Jackets.
