From experience. For the field.
HCS stands for equipment you can rely on—developed, selected, and distributed with a focus on what really matters in the field.
What began in 2009 as the result of a soldier’s own experience has grown into a specialized provider of high-quality field, protective, and outdoor equipment. We supply soldiers, police, government agencies, emergency responders, professional users, and discerning private customers with products that not only look good on paper but must prove themselves where it really matters.
We no longer see ourselves merely as a retailer. We provide advice, develop solutions for specific requirements, work closely with renowned international manufacturers, and bring our experience directly into new equipment concepts through our own products and brands.
We know what matters out there.
The story of HCS didn’t begin with a business plan, but with a simple question:
Why settle for equipment when there are better solutions available?
During his time in the German Armed Forces, founder Mathias Himstedt took a deep interest in personal gear and searched for products that were more functional, more durable, and better suited to real-world use.
This search gave rise to an idea.
That idea gave rise to HCS.
These origins continue to shape us to this day.
We don’t judge gear solely based on technical specifications, brands, or product descriptions. What matters most to us is the difference a product makes for the person using it.
How does it feel after many hours of use?
How does it perform under stress?
How reliable is it in daily use?
And is there perhaps a better solution?
These are exactly the questions that drive us.
From an Idea to an Equipment Specialist
2009
The Beginning
Founding of what was then known as HC Soldatenausrüstung UG.
The idea stemmed from Mathias Himstedt’s own experience in the German Armed Forces: to make high-quality, practical gear more readily available to soldiers.
What started out small quickly grew into a specialized retailer.
The Early Years
Closer to the User
Our product range is growing—and so is our customer base.
In addition to soldiers, police, government agencies, security forces, and outdoor enthusiasts are increasingly turning to HCS as their go-to source for high-quality personal gear.
Two retail stores in Wolfenbüttel provide additional direct contact with users and offer valuable insights into what customers truly need.
2013
HCS Becomes a GmbH
Today’s HCS Ausrüstungs GmbH evolved from the company’s original founding.
As the company grew, its structures were professionalized, its product line was expanded, and new partnerships with manufacturers and distributors were established.
2019
New Location in Bad Harzburg
HCS continues to grow.
The construction of the company’s current facility in Bad Harzburg has created modern office, retail, and warehouse space, laying the foundation for the next phase of growth.
Today, customers throughout Germany and beyond are supplied from this location.
2023
More Room for Growth
Warehouse capacity at the Bad Harzburg location is being significantly expanded once again.
More space means greater product availability, more efficient logistics, and the ability to reliably handle even large-scale projects for customers and government agencies.
Today
More Than Just Retail
Today, HCS brings together a variety of expertise under one roof:
Specialty retail. E-commerce. Government sales. Distribution. Product development. Private labels.
We collaborate with established international manufacturers, serve professional users, and simultaneously develop our own products and solutions for specific needs.
With brands and product lines such as Gear Division, we are consistently taking the next step: from equipment retailer to provider of our own solutions.
For us, gear is no trivial matter.
Anyone who needs professional gear doesn’t just buy any old product.
Fit, material, weight, reliability, compatibility, and intended use determine whether gear supports you—or becomes a problem at the crucial moment.
That’s why we don’t see our role as offering as many products as possible.
We want to offer the right products.
To do this, we combine years of experience with close collaboration with manufacturers and users. We evaluate new products not only based on how well they sell, but also on the actual added value they provide.
And when existing solutions aren’t enough, we look for new ones.
For people who have to rely on their equipment.
Today, a wide variety of customer groups rely on HCS:
Soldiers and members of the German Armed Forces, police and government agencies, firefighters and emergency responders, security companies, professional users, as well as outdoor enthusiasts and private customers.
Their requirements vary.
Our commitment remains the same:
Equipment, advice, and solutions you can rely on.
Good equipment starts with the right solution.
Are you looking for a specific product, want to equip a larger facility, or need a solution for a special requirement?
Then talk to us.
We’ll listen, work with you, and find the right solution together.