Pursuit Marketing Inc.: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 15:22, 16 October 2026

Pursuit Marketing Inc. (PMI) was an American paintball equipment manufacturer and distributor founded in 1982 by Jeff Perlmutter and David Freeman. Based in the Chicago area, PMI was one of the earliest major suppliers to the emerging paintball industry, distributing paintballs, markers, protective equipment and accessories. Its associated products included the Sheridan PGP, PMI Trracer, PMI Piranha, Pure Energy air systems and Evil Paintball. The original business was acquired and combined with National Paintball Supply to form KEE Action Sports in 2006.[1][2][3]

History

Establishment

PMI originated in 1982 after Jeff Perlmutter and David Freeman participated in the National Survival Game in Illinois. The pair initially explored purchasing franchise rights from National Survival Game but ultimately chose to establish an independent paintball equipment distribution business.[1]

Rather than operating a franchise system, PMI supplied equipment directly to independent commercial paintball field operators and retailers.

PMI was incorporated in Illinois in December 1983. In 1984, the company moved into an office and warehouse in Northbrook, Illinois.[1]

Sheridan partnership

One of PMI's earliest business relationships was with Benjamin Sheridan, an American airgun manufacturer based in Racine, Wisconsin.

Working with Sheridan president Ray Katt, PMI commissioned the development of a .68-calibre marking pistol based on the company's existing airgun designs.

The resulting PG (Paint Gun) was manufactured in top-loading and side-loading configurations. A subsequent version incorporating a pump-action cocking mechanism became known as the PGP (Paint Gun Pump).[1]

PMI also distributed other Sheridan paintball markers, including the PMI-1, PMI-2 and KP-series rifles. Its exclusive distribution relationship with Sheridan continued until approximately 1992.[1][4]

Paintball manufacturing and distribution

PMI established a long-running relationship with pharmaceutical encapsulation manufacturer R.P. Scherer to produce paintballs specifically for recreational paintball.

Unlike the oil-based marking projectiles previously used in the sport, PMI's paintballs used a water-soluble fill that could be cleaned with soap and water.

The products were marketed under the PMI Premium Paintballs name.[1]

Paintball sales became a central part of PMI's business. The company supplied independent fields and retailers while supporting the growth of organised paintball through advertising, sponsorship and tournament promotion.

Expansion during the 1990s

During the late 1980s, PMI distributed brass-bodied Piranha pump markers, including versions modified for tournament competition.

The Piranha Tournament Special featured valve modifications developed with Airgun Designs. Examples were supplied to PMI-sponsored teams, including Lords of Discipline, Farside, PMI Piranhas and Sudden Death.[1]

Around 1992, PMI introduced the Trracer, a lower-cost pump marker developed by Brian Sullivan and manufactured by Air Concept Industries. The Trracer became a popular recreational and rental marker.[1][5]

Around 1994, PMI merged with Direct Connect, a paintball distribution business associated with David Freeman. Direct Connect had distributed the F1 and F2 Illustrator marker lines.[1]

In 1998, PMI exhibited a new Piranha semi-automatic marker at the NPPL World Cup. This was a stacked-tube blowback design distinct from the earlier brass-bodied Piranha pump markers. The new marker was marketed towards recreational players and commercial paintball fields.[6][7]

Expansion into tournament equipment

During the early 2000s, PMI expanded beyond its traditional paintball distribution and recreational marker businesses.

At the 2001 International Amateur Open, PMI exhibited its Pure Energy 5,000 psi compressed-air system.[8]

In 2002, PMI introduced the Evil Paintball product range, which included the Omen electronic marker, Pipe barrel systems, pod harnesses, gloves, clothing and accessories.[9]

PMI also expanded its Piranha marker range with electronically triggered models.

By the 2003 PSP World Cup, PMI was exhibiting the Piranha EVO, an electronic blowback marker incorporating an anti-chop eye system. Contemporary coverage also documented that Extreme Rage had become part of PMI.[10]

In 2004, PMI purchased the R.P. Scherer paintball manufacturing facility in Florida, bringing production capabilities previously operated by its long-standing supplier into the business.[1]

Acquisition and formation of KEE Action Sports

In November 2006, private investment firm Angelo, Gordon & Co. financed separate acquisitions of PMI and National Paintball Supply, combining two established competitors in the American paintball industry.[2]

The combined business initially operated under the AJ Holdings name.

On 18 January 2007, the company announced its new corporate identity, KEE Action Sports. David Freeman was appointed vice-chairman of the combined business.[3]

The PMI name subsequently ceased to operate as an independent company, although several associated product lines continued under later ownership.

Products

PMI manufactured, commissioned and distributed a broad range of paintball equipment.

Paintball markers

Notable marker ranges included:

Sheridan PG and PGP – Early brass-bodied paintball pistols manufactured by Benjamin Sheridan.
PMI-1 and PMI-2 – Sheridan-manufactured paintball markers distributed by PMI.
PMI-III – Semi-automatic marker related to the later Sheridan VM-68.
PMI Piranha pump – Brass-bodied pump-action tournament and recreational markers.
PMI Trracer – Pump-action marker introduced around 1992.
PMI Piranha semi-automatic – Blowback marker range introduced during the late 1990s.
Piranha E-Force and EVO – Electronic variants of the Piranha marker range.
Evil Omen – Electronic marker marketed through PMI's Evil product line.[1][6][7][9][10]

Paintballs

PMI distributed paintballs manufactured by R.P. Scherer, including its PMI Premium range.

The company later marketed additional paintball products through the Evil brand.[1][9]

Air systems and accessories

PMI's equipment range also included:

Pure Energy – CO2 and compressed-air systems.
Evil Pipe – Interchangeable-bore paintball barrel system.
Evil protective equipment – Gloves, jerseys, trousers and pod harnesses.
Extreme Rage – Pod harnesses, protective equipment and accessories.[8][9][10]

Tournament involvement

PMI was involved in paintball tournament sponsorship from the 1980s onwards.

The company supported the North American Championship Tournament and Trade Show organised with Skirmish USA in Pennsylvania. The tournament began in 1986, with its 1989 and 1990 editions offering substantial prize packages.[1]

PMI and R.P. Scherer also supported the Lively Tournament Series during the late 1980s and early 1990s. The 1991 and 1992 competitions included PMI and R.P. Scherer in their official sponsorship arrangements.[1]

PMI-sponsored teams during this period included Lords of Discipline, Sudden Death, Farside and Chicago Aftershock.[1]

During the 2000s, PMI continued supporting professional competition through its Evil and Pure Energy brands, including sponsorship arrangements with Aftershock and the Ironmen.[9]

References

External links

PMI Paintball – Historical company website