Force Protection expands in Sterling Heights, plans to double staff

metromode, 1/29/2009

Sterling Heights has been on offense when it comes to attracting defense contractors. For years General Dynamics was the sole taker, but within the last year or two others, such as SAIC and VSE, have set up shop as well.

"Over the last year there has been a ramp up of the number of projects and offices moving here," says Luke Bonner, economic development manager for Sterling Heights.

Add Force Protection to that list. It’s opening up its own engineering office in Sterling Heights after sharing space with another company for the last year. There are currently 27 engineers working there, but that number could go as high as 60.

"They will expand up to 60 in a very short time," Bonner says.

Force Protection designs a variety of military vehicles, as many as 4,000, that are used in Iraq and Afghanistan. Its new 8,800-square-foot facility will play a critical role in designing its newest vehicles, such as the Cheetah.

The Cheetah provides state-of-the-art protection against blast and ballistic attacks but weighs half as much as its competitors. Its other signature vehicles are the Buffalo and Cougar, which specialize in defeating IED attacks.

The company finished 2008 with more than $1.2 billion in revenues while employing about 1,300 full-time people.

Source: Luke Bonner, economic development manager for Sterling Heights
Writer: Jon Zemke