ITEN Defense breaks ground on new research, development and manufacturing facility

SAYBROOK TOWNSHIP – ITEN Defense and Lakeland The Construction Group marked the start of construction on ITEN Defense’s new research, development and manufacturing facility with a ground-breaking ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 5.
Headquartered in Ashtabula County in Saybrook Township, ITEN Defense specializes in manufacturing composite armor products, including pressed backing material used for body armor.
The new facility is located across the street from ITEN’s existing plant at 3500 N. Ridge Rd. W.
The project builds on federal investments supported by U.S. Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14), who took part in the groundbreaking ceremony.
ITEN Defense has received Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) funding to advance ballistic protection capabilities through the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, and the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act.
ITEN Defense CEO Damon Walsh thanked the ITEN workforce in his remarks.
“It’s because of them. On any given day, there are a large number of people who are walking around who are safe because they’re outfitted with things these guys make,” Walsh said.
He also thanked Ashtabula County and Saybrook Township officials for their support, as well as Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County Executive Director Greg Myers and Senior Associate, Project Management Sonia C. Newman, for their role in “convincing [ITEN] to build this here.”
Walsh also highlighted the people in attendance from NP Aerospace, a leading global armor technology manufacturer and vehicle integrator that is in the process of acquiring ITEN Defense.
“We’re excited about it because it’s going to turn us into a global enterprise and a much bigger company,” Walsh said.
He also thanked Joyce.
“Everything we’re doing here today has been largely supported by the federal government, thanks to Congressman Joyce’s support. We very much appreciate the support,” Walsh said.
Walsh anticipates that they will be in the new facility with a new press for transparent armor next year.
The new facility will produce lighter armor, but with the same protection. It is expected to bring 100 new jobs, adding to ITEN’s existing 85 employee workforce.
“We’ll be on the next generation of armor so we can continue to protect people from a wide variety of threats,” Walsh said.
In remarks in a press release about the event, Walsh said, “Today marks an important milestone for ITEN Defense and our community as we continue building an armor center of excellence in Northeast Ohio. We are grateful for the ongoing support of Congressman Joyce, the State of Ohio, Ashtabula County, and Saybrook Township as we’ve experienced nothing but the utmost support in facilitating our expansion plans. The new facility and the equipment we’ll be installing will allow us to continue our tradition of producing products that save lives.”
Joyce also spoke at the groundbreaking, highlighting northeast Ohio’s impact.
“While we may not make the ships here, and we may not make the planes here, northeast Ohio, we make pieces and parts and things that go into making our men and women safer in our country and our world,” Joyce said. “And we’re all part of that.”
He said ITEN serves as an example.
“ITEN Defense is a top innovator, a critical part of our defense industrial base, and its success speaks to the talent of Ohio’s workforce,” said Joyce. “As a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I’ve been proud to fight for the federal investment that makes projects like this possible. This new research, development, and manufacturing facility will develop the lighter, stronger ballistic protection our warfighters need to stay ahead of our adversaries.”
The facility is being designed and constructed by Lakeland The Construction Group, a northeast Ohio-based contractor.
“We know that our role is so much bigger than just a builder or a commercial-industrial general contractor. We know that we are a true partner,” Lakeland The Construction Group Strategy & Growth Director Juliana Petti said. “Today, with clients like ITEN Defense, economic-development organizations and entire communities like yourself, we are building something that’s for generations to come in northeast /Ohio. We want to make sure to have that legacy and sustainability.”
She said the day was much more than a beginning of a project.
“It’s really about Northeast Ohio manufacturing, and we’re very proud to be a part of that,” she said. “We’d like to thank ITEN Defense for their trust in us to bring their vision to life.”
In a press release, Fahim F. Gemayel, president of Lakeland The Construction Group, said, “At Lakeland The Construction Group, we believe great projects begin with great partnerships. We’re honored by ITEN Defense’s trust and proud to serve as the design-build partner on a project that will strengthen manufacturing and create lasting opportunities in Northeast Ohio.”