March update on Force Protection

Via The Roxboro Courier-Times:

Despite an onslaught of seemingly negative publicity, Force Protection Communications Director Tommy Pruitt insisted Tuesday from his office in Ladson, S.C. that the company has no plans to abandon its Person County facility at the intersection of Boston Road and Halifax Road. The building formerly housed Collins & Aikman.

Person County Economic Development Director Glenn Newsome also said Tuesday that plans were still on go for the Roxboro Force Protection facility.

“The company has affirmed on several occasions that they plan to continue the project here,” Newsome said. “It flies in the face of common sense and good logic to suggest otherwise.”

Newsome was likely referring to the vast renovations and upgrades that have been ongoing at the facility since late last year, but the company has yet to begin production of its Cheetah-brand armored vehicle here, as it had originally projected.

Interesting information, but one tip for the reporter in this case. The publicity was not "seemingly" negative. It was just plain negative.

Force Protection faces a tough sell for its products, bottom line.

The Cheetah figures as perhaps Force Protection's best shot at making another large sale (as in hundreds of vehicles)--I should imagine that foreign governments might show an interest in it even if the U.S. military seems intent on waiting for the JLTV program to kick in. As a result I'm not surprised to see FPI keep on with its Roxboro facility.

I note that FPI has not yet gone into production with the Cheetah, belying earlier reports of the company's intent to do just that.

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