Press Releases
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2026
Parachute Laboratories joins the High Energy family.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
High Energy Systems Acquires Parachute Laboratories Inc., Expanding Precision Manufacturing and Parachute Systems Capabilities
Bassfield, Mississippi & DeLand, Florida — 04 May 2026 — High Energy Systems (HES) has acquired Parachute Laboratories Inc. (P-Labs), AKA “Jump Shack” a cornerstone of the parachute industry since 1969.
For over five decades, P-Labs has been a trusted supplier of parachutes, harnesses, and critical hardware — including ripcord pins, cables, and housings — as well as specialized training aids and tools used by FAA riggers, schools, and manufacturers across the sport, commercial, and military sectors.
Built on the legacy of pioneers John Sherman and Nancy LaRiviere, P-Labs helped define modern parachute design, rigging standards, and training practices used throughout the industry. Nancy will continue to support the company in a consulting role, ensuring that the commitment to safety and education is carried forward.
“Nancy’s perspective and commitment to safety have always been foundational to this industry,” said Mike Berge, CEO of High Energy Systems. “We’re honored to continue working alongside her.”
As part of the transition, Erick Kinney has been named President of Parachute Laboratories. Under his leadership, P-Labs will continue its tradition of excellence in precision manufacturing, training, and support equipment.
“P-Labs has always been about performance, reliability, and supporting the people who make this industry work,” said Erick. “We’re excited to build on that legacy and expand what we can offer to riggers, manufacturers, and operators.”
Nancy LaRiviere added, “The opportunity to continue contributing to training and safety while seeing these capabilities grow is incredibly meaningful. This next chapter strengthens the foundation we’ve spent decades building.”
Operations will continue in DeLand alongside High Energy Systems’ Mississippi facility — preserving a legacy built over 50+ years while scaling for the future.
“This is about building a true end-to-end capability for the industry — hard goods, soft goods, harnesses, engineering, testing, and training,” said Mike Berge. “We’re excited about what this means for our customers and the broader parachute community. More to come.”
Media Contacts:
High Energy Systems
Brina Berge
702-664-4256
brina@highenergysys.com
website
Parachute Laboratories
Mary Ann Rau
386-734-5867
sales@plabsinc.com
