Ross Johnson was a Green Beret serving in Afghanistan as a medic when he realized the tourniquets the Army issued hadn’t changed since Vietnam.
Johnson developed the SOF Tourniquet that became the basis for TacMed Solutions, 1250 Harris Bridge Road, Anderson, which he officially started in 2003. TacMed sells medical equipment to defense and law enforcement agencies around the world, including every police officer in the state of New York and locations at Lincoln Financial Field, where the Philadelphia Eagles play.
Solving an old problem
Johnson and many of the soldiers serving with him knew the tourniquets issued by the Army didn’t work, so Johnson had an idea to improve the design. When he was at home, he would make them in his garage and give them out to friends serving overseas.
The Army issued a simple belt as a tourniquet, and it was only useful if it was applied tight enough the first time to stop the bleeding. Johnson’s design added a small metal bar that could be twisted and locked to incrementally increase pressure to stop the bleeding. The Army liked the new design and Johnson began supplying them.
“It’s a happy accident — it’s not what I expected to be doing with my life,” Johnson said.
After three tours in Afghanistan, Johnson returned home and moved his company from Fayetteville, North Carolina, to Anderson in 2006, citing his love for the area. Since then, his company has grown in both the number of tourniquets sold and also the diversity of products it offers.
Diversifying the product portfolio
The company does research and development for new products, and has also grown through acquisitions. TacMed offers the tourniquet as part of a first aid kit that contains bandages, a tourniquet, a pair of scissors, gloves and gauze. Products also include body armor and personal protective equipment.
In 2019, TacMed acquired TraumaFX Solutions, a company that formed after Lucasfilm moved to CGI and moved away from building animatronic devices. The company developed hyper-realistic robots — both human and canine — that simulated trauma patients, complete with a pulse, bleeding, dilating pupils and breathing. Operators can control the robot remotely, and it has a microphone and speakers so the trainer can operate it in a different location. It’s battery powered, so it can be moved as part of the training.
With its growing portfolio of products, TacMed rebranded in 2021 with three pillars: Medical, protection and simulation. Johnson said he’s never had to borrow money to grow his business — it grew organically. The company now has 112 employees total including the headquarters in Anderson and other facilities in Texas; Atlanta, Georgia; and Pataloma, California.
“We don’t save lives,” Johnson said. “The stuff we make in the right hands will save a life.”
Company timeline
2003: Ross Johnson developed the SOF Tourniquet in his garage and gave to friends serving overseas.
2007: TacMed goes global and offers its SOF Tourniquet to Canadian customers.
2008: TacMed begins offering its products in a kit to first responders.
2012: Begins offering Tramedic kit for civilian use.
2015: Worked with LAPD to develop a kit for law enforcement.
2018: Guardian Capital Partners announces investment in TacMed.
2019: TacMed announces acquisition of TraumaFX Solutions, maker of training equipment, and DXK, a body-armor manufacturer.
2021: Rebrands with focus on three pillars: Medical, protection and simulation.
Source: tacmedsolutions.com
