Barrier1 Systems – a national manufacturer of anti-ram crash-rated vehicle barriers – has announced that it’s not going anywhere.
The company had been weighing offers from other Southeastern cities but has officially decided to expand its operations in Guilford County, where it already has deep roots.
The company’s expansion is said to mean a “significant investment in the region.”
With demand for high-end physical security solutions on the rise across the world, Barrier1 had outgrown its current facility in Summerfield. However, instead of leaving the Triad, which company officials considered, they chose to grow right here.
“Remaining in Guilford County was more than a business decision – it was a reaffirmation of who we are,” said James Parsons, CEO of Barrier1 Systems. “Our customers rely on us to protect some of the world’s most sensitive locations, and the talent and infrastructure here allow us to meet that mission every day. Greensboro is where we want to build our future.”
In recent years, Guilford County has been a very hot spot for economic development when it comes to both companies locating in the county and expanding within it.
Barrier1’s products are used at places like the US Department of Defense and the City of New Orleans.
The company’s barriers are certified by both the federal General Services Administration and ASTM International.
Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan praised the company’s decision and said it reflected the city’s growing reputation for advanced manufacturing.
“Greensboro fosters an advanced manufacturing ecosystem, making it ideal for Barrier1 and other companies to thrive,” Vaughan said. “We applaud the company’s growth and appreciate its continued investment in our local economy.”
Chairman of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners Skip Alston called it “a win for our community on every level.”
“Barrier1 is not just retaining jobs,” he said. “They’re creating new ones and investing in a future that benefits all of Guilford County.”
Company officials announced on Tuesday, July 8, that they had considered sites in Virginia and across North Carolina – including in Danville, Henry County, and Rockingham County – but ultimately picked Greensboro based on its strategic location and existing workforce.
Barrier1’s expansion is expected to bring more jobs to the area and further boost Guilford County’s role in the growing field of homeland security and perimeter protection technology. A Tuesday press release did not say how many new jobs would be created by the expansion.
The project was coordinated by the Guilford County Economic Development Alliance, which includes the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce and High Point Economic Development Corporation. Other partners involved in bringing the deal together included Duke Energy, Guilford Technical Community College, Piedmont Natural Gas, Guilford Works, the City of Greensboro, and the NC Department of Commerce.
