DHi Celebrates Grand Opening of New NC Facility

DHi Celebrates Grand Opening of New NC Facility

Trenton, NC (April 11, 2008)—Area citizens, local and state dignitaries, corporate officers, and company employees gathered at Defense Holdings, Inc’s (DHi’s) massive Operations and Technology Development Center yesterday afternoon to celebrate

the new facility’s grand opening. Barbecue and refreshments were served and spirits were high.

Corporate officers on hand included DHi President and CEO Rich Martin; company COO Don Tomlinson; VP of Administration Irene Martin; and VP of Business Development, Roger Neighborgall. Jones County Board of Commissioners Chair Joe Wiggins and other board members were also in attendance as was Congressman William Wainwright (D-NC) who, along with the commissioners and other area officials, was instrumental in helping bring the facility to North Carolina.

The company, the county, and its citizens savored the culmination of their long and successful effort to bring new, military-oriented business and much-needed new jobs to Jones County. A mostly rural area of family farms, the county’s economy has been devastated for years by the ongoing cutback of tobacco growing in North Carolina. By fostering greater economic diversity and opportunity, the county hopes to reverse this economic decline.

Rising from part of a former cotton field on the edge of Trenton, the county seat, DHi’s Operations and Technology Development Center (OTDC) actually opened its doors when construction was completed just after the first of the year. The 23,000 sq. ft. building was gradually outfitted with new machinery and new employees who currently work primarily in the testing, design, manufacture, and installation of DHi’s innovative photoluminescent (PL) safety materials.

Troy Tibbs, who relocated to the area from Virginia, now supervises DHi’s PL R&D and manufacturing efforts. And Kinston resident Karl Johnson now serves as building manager of the new facility.

It is anticipated that the OTDC will also support DHi’s metal fiber brush (MFB) efforts. In addition, the building houses offices for area personnel involved with contract work at local military bases, such as Joe Jones, a longtime DHi employee initially based in Morehead City. Jones was instrumental in introducing Jones County officials to DHi before the OTDC became a reality. Jones is currently putting the finishing touches on a major company research and development (R&D) effort to make the use of DHi’s specially-formulated PL rotor coating system a standard night visibility safety feature on military E2C propeller-driven aircraft.

DHi has stepped up its efforts to introduce itself to North Carolina military facilities and personnel. The company’s goal is to win more military contracts—like Joe Jones’ R&D effort—that will bring needed jobs to Jones County and surrounding areas. Winning more such military contracts for the area is also a declared objective of North Carolina’s state government.

Defense Holdings, Inc. (DHi) is a world-class team of dedicated engineering professionals committed to developing and deploying innovative technologies to advance the national interest and improve the lives of all Americans.