In six years, Armor Express in Central Lake has seen such success that the company is planning a new expansion.
Armor Express is led by president and CEO Matt Davis, and makes ballistic-resistant body armor and accessories. It's become one of the top three law enforcement armor suppliers in the U.S., and has seen its sales to law enforcement jump by 32 percent in 2010, so more good things are yet to come.
The expansion includes a new location a few miles away, and about 45,000 square feet of space, which will help Armor Express keep producing its orders and meet future growth goals, like adding more employees and equipment. The company now employs about 100 people.
The new location has historic meaning for Davis; the expansion includes the former buildings of Second Chance, another body armor company founded by his father, Richard, in 1972. Second Chance was acquired by a defense company,
BAE Systems, in 2005, and moved to Florida.
"The expertise and accomplishments of those original employees became the pedigree from which our present-day company was formed," Davis says. "We now have the opportunity to move this next generation business into facilities where so many of the early products were designed and produced-- it'll be both an honor and privilege for us to carry out our work there. I know that for me and many Armor Express employees, it's going to be an extremely emotional and fulfilling experience to occupy those facilities."
Armor Express currently offers a broad product line including ballistic vests, correctional armor and concealable armor and accessories for men and women.
Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Matt Davis, Armor Express
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