SAYBROOK TOWNSHIP – The Ashtabula County commissioners and Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Office recognized ITEN Defense for its generosity and commitment to public safety during a visit to the plant, located at 3500 N. Ridge Rd. W., on Thursday, July 9.
ITEN Defense recently donated five ballistic shields, with an estimated retail value of $40,000, to the Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Office, providing critical equipment that will help protect deputies in the performance of their duties.
Last Thursday, Commissioners Casey Kozlowski and J.P. Ducro IV and Ashtabula County Sheriff Bill Niemi, along with three others from the Sheriff’s Office, toured the plant, which engineers advanced composite armor solutions that protect lives and assets on land, at sea and in the air through personal body armor to vehicle, marine and aerospace applications.
In thanks, Kozlowski presented a proclamation to ITEN Defense CEO Damon Walsh.
“The Ashtabula County Board of Commissioners recognizes and appreciates organizations whose dedication, innovation and generosity contribute to the safety and well-being of our communities, our law-enforcement officers and our nation’s military personnel,” Kozlowski read from the proclamation. “ITEN Defense has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to protecting those who serve through the development and manufacture of advanced protective equipment designed to enhance officer and military safety in high-risk situations.”
The proclamation recognized the leadership and generosity of Walsh, Director of Sales Greg Rose and Plant Manager Tom Dominessy for the significant donation.
More donations are to come.
Walsh shared that ITEN Defense has been acquired by NP Aerospace, a leading global armor technology manufacturer and vehicle integrator.
“They have plans to do a lot of work here,” Walsh said.
NP Aerospace is a leader in body armor for women.
Walsh said Rose will get with the appropriate person in the Sheriff’s Office to speak about donating five sets of female body armor.
Walsh also shared that the company is undertaking a 50,000-square-foot expansion on property across the road.
“I want to thank all of you for your hard work and dedication,” Niemi told the gathered ITEN Defense employees. “It’s very important what you do.”
He said the donation of the ballistic shields is much-needed equipment for the SWAT team.
Lt. John Helfer also gave thanks for the donation – but said he hopes the shields stay in the car.
“We can’t wait to get them in the cars and not use them. We don’t want to use them. But if we have to, they’re there,” he said.
He presented the employees with a new, large flag to hang in the plant with their flag collection with a design highlighting the relationship between ITEN and the Sheriff’s Office.
