The Economy

Defense Venture Group to Locate New Facilities in South Carolina

Feb. 9, 2010

Charlotte, N.C.-based Defense Venture Group Ltd. will locate its manufacturing, research and development and headquarters functions on Indian Land in Lancaster County, S.C.

Josh Cable

The $50 million investment is expected to generate 220 new jobs, according to the South Carolina Department of Commerce.

"This represents an important move for our company, and we are happy to be moving to South Carolina," said John Zinn, president and CEO of Defense Venture Group. "Our company and its subsidiaries needed a new facility in which to grow, and Lancaster County provided that. The area's strong workforce and business environment will help our company continue to provide top service to our customers and meet future project goals."

Defense Venture Group owns Indigen Armor, a manufacturer of purpose-built armored vehicles; Armorline Corp., which produces specialized transparent ceramic products for the aerospace, defense and commercial sector; and Tactical Runflat Systems, manufacturer and distributer of dynamic run-flat tire solutions for the military, police, fire, EMS and security markets.

The company will move all of its manufacturing, research and development and headquarters operations into the former BMB Steering building in the Indian Land region of Lancaster County.

Defense Venture Group will begin moving into the building in March, and expects to have all of its operations online in May. The company expects to begin hiring in March and is working with readySC on the hiring process.

About the Author

Josh Cable | Former Senior Editor

Former Senior Editor Josh Cable covered innovation issues -- including trends and best practices in R&D, process improvement and product development. He also reported on the best practices of the most successful companies and executives in the world of transportation manufacturing, which encompasses the aerospace, automotive, rail and shipbuilding sectors.

Josh also led the IndustryWeek Manufacturing Hall of Fame, IW’s annual tribute to the most influential executives and thought leaders in U.S. manufacturing history.

Before joining IndustryWeek, Josh was the editor-in-chief of Penton Media’s Government Product News and Government Procurement. He also was an award-winning beat reporter for several small newspapers in Northeast Ohio.

Josh received his BFA in creative writing from Bowling Green University, and continued his professional development through course-work at Ohio University and Cuyahoga Community College.

A lifelong resident of the Buckeye State, Josh currently lives in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland. When the weather cooperates, you’ll find him riding his bike to work, exercising his green thumb in the backyard or playing ultimate Frisbee.