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World IP Day 2026 — Recognized Innovator

James Teetzel

  • Founder & CEO
  • Wilcox Industries Corp.

Recognized for over four decades of founder-led innovation in tactical military equipment.

James Teetzel built Wilcox Industries from a garage-based manufacturing business into a defense equipment company known for night vision mounts, fire control systems, and life support equipment used by customers across 28 countries.

Certificate of Recognition

Top IP Innovator — Tactical Systems & Night Vision · 2026

Wilcox Patents (last 5 years)
0 +
First Filing
1993
USPTO Art Unit Focus
3641 / 3732
Role
Founder & CEO
Presented by InspireIP

World IP Day Recognition Series · 2026

Wilcox Industries patents, last 5 years
0 +
Filed in 2025 alone
0 +
Recognition category
0 Defense Tech
The Recognition

Building tactical systems where failure is not an option

On World IP Day 2026, InspireIP recognizes James Teetzel, founder and CEO of Wilcox Industries, for building one of the most sustained patent programs in tactical military equipment.

The recognition is based on Wilcox’s patent activity and public records. Since its first patent in 1993, Wilcox has built a portfolio covering night vision mounting systems, combat systems, fire control devices, and life support equipment.

James founded Wilcox Industries in 1982 to provide precision manufacturing services to aerospace, medical, and defense companies. In 1996, the company responded to a Special Operations request for a better way to mount night vision systems. That work helped establish Wilcox’s systems approach to night vision integration.

What makes this recognition distinctive is the length of the commitment. James has led Wilcox for more than 42 years while staying close to both product development and business growth.

Night Vision Mounting Systems
Fire Control Systems
Tactical Laser Systems
Life Support Equipment
Combat Optics
Helmet Integration
Patent Footprint

A portfolio shaped around the warfighter as a system

1982–1996

Jim Teetzel founds Wilcox Industries in his garage in New Hampshire to provide precision manufacturing to aerospace and defense customers. The company's first patent arrives in 1993, protecting the first laser aiming device integrated into a handgun.

2017–2020

12 filings across 2020–2021 as Wilcox expands its product line to over 260 products. The company wins the NH High Tech Council's Product of the Year for the Scott Hybrid Patriot 5510 backpack respirator, expands its facility to 300,000 square feet, and makes the Inc. 5000 list in 2020.

2021–2023

The company files 57 patents across three years, peaking at 24 filings in 2023. Wilcox deepens its IP across fire control systems, weapon mounts, enhanced night vision goggle mounting solutions, and life support systems.

2024–2025

22 more filings appear. Wilcox continues to expand its electro-optics and combat systems portfolio, with the division expected to account for a growing share of the business.

Tactical Systems & Night Vision Sector

A small-entity company filing like a much larger one

Wilcox Industries is classified by the USPTO as a Small Entity, yet its five-year filing volume of 70 patents sits well above what is typical for private defense equipment manufacturers of its size. Much of that activity is concentrated in the transport, mechanical, and manufacturing art units that protect night vision mounts, weapon systems, fire control devices, and life support equipment.

Patents, last 5 years
+
Peak year (2023)
+ Filings
USPTO entity status
Small Entity
Art unit focus
3641 / 3732
"Leading an innovation program is harder than inventing on your own. It means choosing what to file, who to credit, and where to invest, over and over, for years. The leaders we recognize on World IP Day have done that consistently, and built something that compounds."

Sam Zellner

Founder, InspireIP · Inventor · Innovation Leader

About Wilcox Industries

Built in New Hampshire, serving defense and public safety users worldwide

Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Newington, New Hampshire, Wilcox Industries designs and manufactures tactical equipment for military, law enforcement, and first responder users.

Its product lines span night vision mounting systems, combat systems, fire control devices, lasers, weapon mounts, optics, respirators, and CBRN protection equipment.

Wilcox operates from a 300,000 square foot ISO 9001:2015-certified manufacturing facility and produces more than 260 products. The company serves customers in 28 countries and holds a large patent portfolio across tactical systems, mounting technologies, and life support equipment. 

IP Day 2027

Know an IP innovator who deserves recognition?

Each year we recognize the inventors and IP leaders behind the portfolios that protect what their companies create. That includes founder-inventors whose contributions often go unmarked. Nominate someone for next year’s list.

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